It's hard to believe that The Walking Dead franchise has been on the air for almost two decades. However, if you lived through those initial years of the original show's run, then you probably don't find that hard to believe at all. And there is no question about it: It was all down to the success of Andrew Lincoln's portrayal of Rick Grimes, as the character very quickly became one of the most recognizable figures in pop-culture history.
Also the lead of Robert Kirkman's graphic novel series upon which the AMC show was based, Rick made his debut in the pilot episode back in 2010 and he remained the lead of the show until the ninth season, when Lincoln made the decision to leave the series. He ultimately returned for the series finale, before then starring in one of the three newer spinoffs to wrap up the character's arc.
That being said, there is no denying that the character had to be replaced as series lead once he left. While The Walking Dead very much became more of an ensemble show after Rick's departure, one man took center stage and guided the franchise into its newer era. And, as we are about to say goodbye to him too (at least for now), it's time that we all acknowledged that.
Daryl Dixon has replaced Rick as the face of the Walking Dead franchise
There is no question about it: Daryl Dixon is the face of the Walking Dead franchise. While he was always an important part of the series throughout its early seasons, his importance increased around halfway through its run, ultimately allowing him to take over as the main character when Rick ultimately left the show. And, with that, Norman Reedus' face appeared on all the TWD Universe branding after that - well, more-so than ever before.
It wasn't surprising. Daryl's popularity made him one of the biggest characters on the show already, so he was poised to step up further when Rick left. Granted, the show had just exited its peak popularity at that point, so there weren't as many people watching at that point in time - but that's exactly why it needed Daryl at the center of it. Nothing protects your popularity quite like your most popular character. And, as a result, the reliable Daryl Dixon managed to carry The Walking Dead through its final few seasons.
But, honestly, that was only the beginning of the journey towards franchise lead for Daryl. We all knew that Norman Reedus had become the de facto lead of the show, and it was deserved. It was his trasnition into the face of the entire franchise that came after that that we really need to acknowledge as a major turning point for the TWD Universe.
When the original series ended, AMC commissioned three new sequel spinoffs that would spotlight characters from the original show. The most high-profile of the lot would be The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, which brought back Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes and Danai Gurira as Michonne in a story that would wrap up their love story nearly a decade after the former's exit from the original series. It had been years in the making and it was the one that people wanted to see.
And yet, it was The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon that ultimately became the face of the spinoff era. Between The Ones That Live lasting just a single season (it was subsequently revealed to be a miniseries) and The Walking Dead: Dead City having a more mixed start, it was the Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride spinoff that really came to the forefront of the TWD Universe era.
It's time to give Daryl his flowers as his spinoff wraps up
Daryl Dixon featured the most ambitious storytelling, taking its gruff lone wolf and his longtime best friend Carol Peletier to France, the UK, and Spain, allowing for some of the most stunning cinematography that the franchise has ever seen. From its season 1 similarities to The Last of Us to the third season's Spaghetti Western vibes, the spinoff became the most must-see element of the saga's post-Walking Dead era. And it all has to do with the fact that Daryl has become the franchise's most must-see character.
With all of that in mind, it's important to acknowledge the fan-favorite character's contributions to the franchise ahead of his imminent departure next year. Yes, Daryl Dixon is ending with its upcoming fourth and final season (which airs on AMC and AMC+ in February 2027), meaning that it will mark the end of an era for both Daryl and Carol. The season is billed as the end of a chapter for their friendship, with question marks surrounding when we might see the characters again. Reedus is in talks to return in the future at some point, but there is no denying that the end of the Daryl Dixon spinoff will mark the end of an era for him - one that has spanned 17 consecutive years.
Regardless of whether we see Daryl Dixon again or not, the character's uninterrupted streak on our screens will come to an end next year. So it's important that we take this opportunity to really highlight that he has spent at least half of that time as the undisputed lead of the franchise. When Rick Grimes left, there was a gaping whole in The Walking Dead that Reedus' beloved character filled with ease, carrying on Rick's legacy and crafting his own in the process. And he did that so dark effectively that, when Rick eventually did return, Daryl still found a way to remain the face of the TWD Universe.
Well done, Daryl. You are the face of The Walking Dead franchise, and we're very grateful for that!
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 4 airs on AMC and AMC+ in February 2027.
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