AMC premiered the pilot episode of The Walking Dead in 2010 on Halloween night. Viewers didn't know exactly what to expect from the new series, but they never imagined it would affect their lives all these years later.
Of course, fans love the OG main cast members, Rick, Daryl, Carol, Glenn, Maggie, etc., but with them came a slew of beloved characters, some of whom died too soon or were underutilized. The list below features many of these early season characters that fans truly missed seeing more of.
T-Dog
T-Dog, portrayed by IronE Singleton, was introduced in the second episode of season 1. He was a brave, well-intentioned man who struggled to find his footing as a survivor. Always a team player, he stepped up when needed, doing his best for the group. His true nature was revealed when, despite the horrible treatment by Merle (Michael Rooker), he volunteered to go to Atlanta to rescue him.
In the end, he sacrificed himself to save Carol (Melissa McBride), an act that was appreciated by Carol fans.
Axel
Lew Temple portrayed Axel, a prisoner from the West Georgia Correctional Facility, who was found by Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and his group. Axel was a well-meaning person who just wanted the chance to show that he wasn't a bad person. He never really got that chance as he was killed, mid-sentence, by the Governor (David Morrisey).
Hershel Greene
The last Scott Wilson portrayed Hershel Greene, patriarch of the Greene Family farm, where Rick took his wounded son Carl (Chandler Riggs). In the beginning, Hershel held out hope that the people infected by the virus could be cured. After learning the awful truth of things and losing his farm, Hershel became the voice of reason and wisdom for the group. Everyone felt this character's loss, including the viewers. Hershel was decapitated in front of all the survivors, including his two daughters, Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Beth (Emily Kinney).
Dale Horvath
Actor Jeffrey DeMunn portrayed Dale, a character many viewers couldn't stand. Despite being a person who had an opinion about everything, Dale did serve as the voice of reason on several occasions. He was very good at reading others and seeing the truth behind people's lies. Love him or hate him, he suffered a horrible death at the hands of a walker, who disemboweled him in a field. His injuries being too severe, Rick attempts to shoot him, when he is unable, Daryl tells Dale "I'm sorry, brother," before ending his suffering.
Merle Dixon
Michael Rooker did an incredible job as Merle Dixon, the man you love to hate. Merle was the stereotypical Southern redneck who spewed hate every time he spoke. When he was left on the roof in Atlanta, most people from the Atlanta group didn't think he was worth saving. He wouldn't be seen again until season 3, when he was working for the Governor. After escaping Woodbury with Daryl, he was reluctant to join his brother at the prison, where most everyone despised him for the terrible things he had done.
In the end, he makes a valiant attempt at redemption, meeting the Governor with the intent to kill him. Sadly, the Governor gets the upper hand and kills Merle. Daryl would find his brother as a walker and experience much trauma in putting him down.
It is difficult to say what roles these characters would have gone on to play had they lived longer. But they are definitely in the list of original characters of The Walking Dead that fans truly missed in the later seasons.
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