Did Elijah die in The Walking Dead?

Fans of the long-running series The Walking Dead have always treaded lightly in becoming too attached to newly introduced characters. With the series set in an apocalypse where the undead is a concern, but the living are the real threat, no one is safe, especially newcomers. One character introduced in season 10 was Elijah, played by Okea Eme-Akwari, and fans worried about his fate.

Elijah was a character who gave the fandom a shock during his first appearance. He was featured in the trailer for the upcoming episode, and the fandom went nuts trying to ascertain who was behind the mask. Wild fan theories from Morgan’s son Duane Jones to Eduardo to Maggie surfaced on social media.

In the season 10 episode “A Certain Doom,” the masked person saves Aaron (Ross Marquand) and Alden (Callan McAuliffe) as they are fighting off Whisperers. In this episode, Elijah would be played by Joshua Lamboy. He would then appear alongside Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and help save Gabriel (Seth Gilliam). She would clarify that the masked man was with her.

During the season 10c episode “Home Sweet Home,” Eme-Akwari begins to portray Elijah.  Viewers would learn that Elijah was part of Maggie’s recent group, the Wardens who lived at Meridian. More of his story would be revealed in season 11.

The Walking Dead – Elijah

During season 11, Elijah plays a vital role in many ways and is seen as a survivor after the takedown of the Commonwealth. He would also form a relationship with Lydia (Cassady McClincy), and the pair were seen together during the series finale one-year time jump.

At first, many thought he could have been part of the new threat, the Reapers, who wore masks similar to Elijah’s, but this group was responsible for Elijah’s sister’s death. He was a loyal companion of Maggie’s, and the pair bonded over their shared tragedies.

When the Reapers are finally gone, Elijah can breathe again. He transforms from someone who was broken to someone who thrives on the love he felt from Maggie and the others. He found his place in the world and utilized his skills to aid in the takedown of the Commonwealth.

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