ONTD Original: Let's Rank The Careers Of The Walking Dead Cast Members 🧟
Click to viewNow that The Walking Dead is officially dead (well the main show at least), and I'm bored on this American Thanksgiving Day, I've decided to discuss the career path of the biggest names of the Walking Dead Alumni since the show's debut in 2010. At its peak the showed garnered tens of millions of views every episode, with people from all over the world tuning in every Sunday night when the show was airing, but at its untimely end of 11 season, its popularity was that of the common CW show, maybe even less.
In no particular order (except yes), here are some of the actors whos careers ricocheted into stardom after being a part of The Walking Dead (and for some maybe not so much):
Melissa McBride
Played: Carol Peletier
Future Projects: nothing from what I can see, which is a shame cause I would love to see her in more things
Looking at Melissa's IMDb I didn't really find any noticeable roles that she played prior to getting cast in TWD. She did have a small role in 'The Mist' (and had a small role in 'Dawson's Creek'), but the character she played in the film doesn't even have a name. But having.a small role in said film probably helped her get the role of Carol because Frank Darabont directed 'The Mist' who would eventually bring TWD to the screen three years later.
Lauren Cohan
Played: Maggie Rhee
Future Projects: going to be co-lead with Jeffrey Dead Morgan in TWD spin-off 'The Walking Dead: Dead City' (because why not), going to be in a film titled 'Born To Be Great' alongside Sam Heughan
Before her role in TWD Lauren was probably best known for her small, recurring roles in 'Supernatural', 'Chuck' and 'The Vampire Diaries'. Like a lot of Walking Dead cast members, she's been in the occasional procedural drama like 'Cold Case' and 'CSI: NY' before she became a part of TWD. After Walking Dead I noticed her career got a slight push - she starred in 'The Boy', played MAARRRTHHHHAAAA in 'Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice' (alongside Jeffrey Dean Morgan who played Thomas Wayne), and starred in her own tv show ' Whiskey Cavalier', though it would eventually flop and not be picked up for a second season.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Played: Negan
Future Projects: going to be co-lead with Lauren Cohan in TWD spin-off 'The Walking Dead: Dead City', going to be in the next season of 'The Boys'
Before The Walking Dead JDM had a few prominent roles under his belt - he was in 'Supernatural', 'Grey's Anatomy' and 'Watchmen'. He also had a few small roles appearing in episodes of 'ER', 'Angel' and 'CSI: Crime Scene Investigation'. Arguably the biggest role he's known for now is playing Negan (though Grey's Anatomy and Supernatural fans may contest to that). Only time will tell if his role in 'The Boys' will turn out more "iconic" than Negan.
Andrew Lincoln
Played: Rick Grimes
Future Projects: going to co-lead with Danai Gurira in untitled Walking Dead spin-off
I find Andy a little hard to rank because I don't live in the UK and British people may view his career and reputation a little differently to how I (an Amuurican) view it, but overall I think he's still a pretty big name, even if his post-TWD career hasn't really.....picked up steam, compared to other cast members at least (though one could argue that his career is "steady", which is fair to say I guess). British peeps, fill free to correct me, but Andy had already created quite a name for himself pre-TWD on UK television. He was best known for his roles on 'Teachers', 'This Life' and 'Love Actually'. After he got the role of Rick Grimes he wouldn't partake in any other television or film role until ten years later (after he exited TWD) when he would star in Netflix film 'Penguin Bloom', which did alright(?). He also had a role in 'Guillermo del Toro's Cabinet of Curiosities' this year.
Norman Reedus
Played: Daryl Dixon
Future Projects: starring in TWD spin-off titled 'The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon' (because of course it is)
Before TWD, Norman starred in 'The Boondock Saints' (which had a dedicated cult following apparently) and had small roles in 'Blade 2' and 'Charmed'. I'm pretty sure I can say the biggest role in his whole career is playing Daryl Dixon and he hasn't played any huge role since. However though, as well as being known as Daryl, he is also known in the video game world for being the lead playable character in 'Death Stranding' (with Death Stranding 2 now in development), which honestly is all you need to keep your career afloat nowadays after you have played only one major role for twelve years straight. Whether he’s going to be playing Ghost Rider in the MCU is still unknown.
Steven Yeun
Played: Glenn Rhee
Future Projects: starring in film 'Love Me' with Kristen Stewart and film 'Mickey7' with Robert Pattinson, Toni Collette and directed by Bong Joon Ho
Being (SPOILER ALERT) killed off The Walking Dead was probably the best thing to ever happen to him, career wise. Before playing Glenn on TWD, his biggest role was being in one episode of The Big Bang Theory. After TWD however, his acting career exploded. Since leaving the show Steven has starred in 'Okja', 'Mayhem' and 'Nope'. His most impactful career choice since Walking Dead was starring in 'Minari', which got him an Academy Award nomination. He has also voice acted for popular animated shows like 'The Legend of Korra', 'Voltron: Legendary Defender' and 'Invincible'. Steven gets the last laugh in the end, and all I can say is good for him.
Danai Gurira
Played: Michonne Grimes (last name confirmed by showrunners don't fight me on this)
Future Projects: going to co-lead with Andrew Lincoln in untitled Walking Dead spin-off and going to be in a Marvel tv show on Disney+ starring as Okoye
Probably the biggest star to come out of their time on The Walking Dead is Danai. She may not have an Academy Award nomination (she does have a Tony nomination for her writing though) yet, but who needs that when you keep having roles in the biggest box office movies of all time (not once but three times now). I don't need to name all the blockbuster movies she's been in but I'll do it anyway, she was in: 'Black Panther', 'Avengers: Infinity War', and 'Avengers: End Game', and now with the recently released 'Black Panther: Wakanda Forever' that has earned half a billion dollars so far. Along with being a critically acclaimed play-write (and has debuted several of her plays on Broadway), Danai has made quite a name for herself since being on TWD. Being a part of the show may have boosted her career, but being a part of the MCU during the same time propelled it into the heavens. A part of the reason I made this post was just to bring up her (and Steven's) accomplishments tbh lol
Honorable Mentions:
Jon Bernthal - Played Shane. Went on to play 'The Punisher'. Arguably more known as Frank Castle than Shane. Has had a variety of small roles in a lot of feature films since leaving TWD
Sonequa Martin-Green - Played Sasha. Went on to play Michael Burnham in 'Star Trek: Discovery'. Arguably more known as Michael than Sasha
Lauren Ridloff - Played Connie. Was established in theater when she got the lead for 'Children of a Lesser God' on Broadway which got her a Tony nomination. Went on to play Makkarri in Marvel's 'Eternals' after she got her role in TWD. Most likely more known for playing Makkari than Connie.
So really the most common denominator here is to just leave TWD lol
source: me and my bike, and the video
How has these actors’ careers been post The Walking Dead, ontd?