We all have that one Walking Dead character who got under our skin in the best and worst ways. You found yourself laughing at their audacity, cringing at their cruelty, and secretly admiring the confidence they wielded like a weapon.
Their every appearance felt like a rollercoaster of emotions. You loved them for their charm, hated them for their ruthlessness, and couldn't help but be glued to the screen, waiting to see what shocking move they'd pull off next.
There's one iconic Walking Dead character that I can think of right now who made me feel all of that and more. Someone whose presence demanded attention, whose words could make me laugh or wince, and whose actions left me debating my own sense of right and wrong. That character is Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), former villain turned complex antihero, whose dark humor, unpredictable nature, and undeniable charisma made every scene he was in both thrilling and unforgettable.
Negan appeared first in The Walking Dead season 6 finale, and boy did he make an entrance! When he makes his first appearance, Negan commits horrifying acts, including brutally killing beloved characters. His ruthless violence and domination made him a terrifying villain, and it was easy for fans to despise him. He would continue to be a character that viewers weren't necessarily fond of as the seasons went on because of the way he manipulated, intimidated, and controlled those around him.
And yet, despite all of that, Negan became impossible to ignore. As much as you wanted to hate him, you couldn't help but be captivated and drawn to his bold personality. Simply, he was entertaining to watch, and he made a good villain. Villains aren't meant for you to like them. They're meant to challenge the heroes and push the story forward. Negan did all that and more for several seasons before he began to evolve and show a more human side.
After his initial reign of terror as a villain, Negan started showing remorse for his past actions. He helped Rick and the survivors on several occasions and saved key characters during critical moments, demonstrating that he wasn’t purely evil. No longer was he the character that fans could write off as just a villain. He became an antihero whom everyone couldn't help but root for.
In fact, he's become even more of a fan-favorite after starring in his own spinoff series, The Walking Dead: Dead City. While watching this show, you can't help but think about how far Negan has come. From the character who once struck fear into everyone around him and made every fan love and hate him at the same time, Negan has easily become one of the best characters in The Walking Dead franchise.
The Walking Dead is available to stream on Netflix.