Whether friend, foe, or somewhere in between, The Walking Dead Universe treated us to some spectacular and truly unforgettable performances in 2025. Some of these performances continue to amaze us, as characters pulled audiences in with their personalities, while others were from completely new members to TWDU.
Both The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2 and The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 3 aired this year, and with them, the following standout performances we've selected. Which standout performance was your favorite?
Bruegel
The new big bad of The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2 was the dapper, charming, show pony Bruegel. As leader of one of several factions ruling Manhattan, he set up his community within the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Bruegel becomes a key player in the war for the methane that The Dama and The Croat possessed, often butting heads with Negan and playing an equally clever and manipulative game. Truthfully, his performance outshone Dama and Croat time and time again.
While his personality is similar to The Governor, meaning he's well-spoken and composed until backed into a corner, there was this underlying backstory we never got the full scope of. His scenes with Negan were exceptionally captivating as it was the two of them playing a game and dance, they had done before.
Bruegel's performance gets bonus points on our list for his character as a whole, who seemed to don outfits reminiscent of the early days in American history, complete with a cane and a watch with a hidden blade.
Negan
Speaking of Negan, he's next on our list. Since his arrival in The Walking Dead season 6 finale, Negan has stolen every scene, just from his mere presence alone.
Having undergone a huge character shift from leader of The Saviors to Dama's henchman, Negan has had time to reflect on his past and how it affects his current situation. Season 2 dived into his regrets once more, thinking back to how he believed he failed Lucille, his first wife, and now his current, second wife, Annie.
Negan's life has been filled with trials and turmoil, perhaps a just punishment for all the horrible things he did in the past. His standout performance in season 2 really pulled on the heartstrings as he sulks in his cell, does his best to make positive changes for Manhattan, only to have it ruined by a force outside his control, and has his heart broken again when Ginny dies and turns into a walker.
Sometimes, Negan's strengths are when he isn't speaking, emoting through his deep expressions and posture. Negan, like Bruegel, was a show pony, but his greatest show was always when he could be his true self, whether that be in private reflection or in front of those who essentially hold his life in their hands.
Fede (Federico de Rivera)
Federico de Rivera, or Fede, is mixed somewhere between villain and anti-hero. Arguably the best new character to emerge in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon series and one of the best characters in The Walking Dead Universe as a whole, Fede arrives in season 3 of Daryl Dixon.
Both responsible for a group of survivors and his niece, Justina, Fede's entire persona is contagious. For those who aren't suspicious of every new character because this is TWDU after all, Fede is the least threatening.
He's respected by his people, intelligent, brave, and handles responsibilities without issue. That was until we started to see the cracks forming regarding his alliance with the King of Spain and his stance on his niece's relationship with Roberto.
The show never specified the reason, but we can deduce that the reason he hated the relationship so much was because of Roberto's deceased mother. Did he have feelings for her?
Was he bitter she chose Roberto's father, Antonio? It's obvious his actions are driven by love, whether it be the love for his niece to protect her from the yearly Ofrenda, or his unending love for the woman who chose another man.
He unfortunately stepped into the villain role, but we can't be sure what will become of him until next season.
Justina
Another newcomer to steal the spotlight from both Daryl and Carol is Justina, Fede's niece. From nearly the first moment we meet her with Roberto in Daryl Dixon season 3, we knew she was more than a damsel in distress.
She exhibited several positive qualities, including loyalty and strength. Her solid morals and good conscience, no matter the circumstances, instantly made her a standout.
It was she who agreed to bring Daryl and Carol to her community for medical attention. It was Justina who felt immense guilt upon discovering her uncle's secret, wishing to make amends.
It was she who always took every situation into her own hands, even when the cards were stacked against her. And it was Justina who ultimately saved Carol, Roberto, and Antonio while managing to reveal her uncle's true intentions.
Yes, she was far from a damsel in distress, regardless of her capture. She wasn't perfect, but she set a new bar for female characters of TWDU.
She didn't have to be overtly damaged to have a good backstory. She didn't have to be insufferable to be inspiring.
She wasn't perfect, but she was realistic and inspiring.
Daryl
Last but not least, Daryl Dixon himself continues to carry on another fantastic performance. Since his first appearance in The Walking Dead season 1, episode 3, Daryl became an instant fan favorite.
Much like Negan, his character underwent tremendous development from a loner, carrying an enormous amount of pain and trauma, who didn't care about anyone but himself and his older brother, to a loner who still sought the company of those he cared about, often fighting for those who couldn't help themselves. His heroes' journey since Daryl Dixon season 1 was reminiscent of an old literary epic.
By season 3, he had already survived France and succeeded in saving Laurent. Now, his mission to return home remains his top priority while also finding himself helping others, whether it be rescuing Justina or an unfortunate community of lepers.
With one season left in the Daryl Dixon series, we wonder how these experiences will continue to prepare and change him for the unknown that lies ahead.
Stream The Walking Dead: Dead City and The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon on AMC and AMC+.