10 Best Leaders In The Walking Dead, Ranked

As one of the best survival TV Shows, The Walking Dead follows the journey of characters trying to survive the zombie apocalypse, focusing on creating a new community in a world devastated by the virus. Faced with this, its characters take a firmer approach, capable of making difficult decisions when facing extreme threats, where one action can dictate who will live or die.

Necessary for their group's survival, the best leaders of The Walking Dead emerge to guide those lacking this ability, besides taking actions that can directly impact this group of people. Bearing the greatest responsibility in this context, many stand out with their development, even though they are susceptible to mistakes.

10 Jesus

Seeking Peace And Focusing On The Future, He Is One Of The Best Leaders In The Series

• First appearance in TV Show: Season 6, Episode 10 ("The Next World")

In a world dominated by walkers, Jesus believed in the importance of alliances that would increase the chance of survival. With intelligence, the character was responsible for uniting Hilltop and Alexandria, believing their alliance would strengthen both communities. Furthermore, he engages in physical fights, willing to protect his companions from threats with compassion.

A pacifist, he advised during extreme decisions, such as Maggie's attitude towards the Saviors, where the character tries to prevent unnecessary bloodshed. Beyond his unshakable morality, Jesus possesses a unique vision of the future, making him necessary for building a society after the apocalypse. Thus, the character is one of the best leaders of the series.

9 Hershel Greene

The Character's Experience Made Him One Of The Most Important Leaders Of The Walking Dead

• First appearance in TV Show: Season 2, Episode 2 ("Bloodletting")

With compassion, Hershel welcomed Rick and his group to his farm and believed the world could be healed thanks to his fervent faith. Serving as a "safe harbor" for the group, he helps them keep their humanity intact with advice, showing care for their well-being and integrity. With his knowledge, he became one of the pillars for Rick's group of survivors.

Thanks to his training as a veterinarian, he also physically cared for the group when injured, becoming essential after they faced battles with the living and the dead. His influence remained on various characters, whether villains or Rick himself, who managed to become more balanced with his advice, becoming necessary for the group's development.

8 Glenn Rhee

With Wisdom, The Character Acted With Morality Even In A Brutal Reality

• First appearance in TV Show: Season 1, Episode 2 ("Guts")

As one of the most loyal survivors in Rick's group, Glenn commanded respect without needing violence. Working as a pizza delivery driver, he knew the Atlanta region and was essential for his group's movement. Furthermore, in extreme situations, he manages to act with intelligence and strategy, becoming one of the pillars among the survivors.

Unable to lose his essence, he helps the group maintain its morality, which is why his loss was a key point in the series, leading to changes in the people around him. Although he did not act directly as a leader, Glenn became one of the best leaders of The Walking Dead, considering the trust he gained from his group.

7 Negan

One Of The Most Unlikely Best Leaders Of The Walking Dead

Known as one of the most emblematic villains of The Walking Dead, Negan achieved redemption by demonstrating empathy. Although he used fear, the villain managed to maintain organization and obedience, which continued with his development as a character after being captured by Rick and subsequently helping his group.

Seeking to do the right thing, he earns the trust of Daryl and Carol, proving he would be a great addition as a leader. Furthermore, he demonstrated his aptitude by protecting Judith and killing Alpha, proving he acted as a spy when everyone distrusted him. With this approach, he shows himself to be one of the best leaders, this time acting with more humanity.

6 Carol Peletier

From A Victim Of Violence To One Of The Strongest Survivors Of The Walking Dead

• First appearance in TV Show: Season 1, Episode 3 ("Tell It to the Frogs")

As the character with the most significant change in the series, Carol became one of the best leaders of The Walking Dead. Submissive, she suffered at the hands of her ex-husband and with the death of her daughter, Sophia. After so many losses, she hardened and became a strong and brave survivor. Thus, she became one of the pillars for Rick's group.

The character also demonstrated her ability to make difficult decisions, as she did when killing Karen and David to contain the flu during their stay at the prison. Over time, she became independent, preferring to solve her problems alone. Despite this, she lives in conflict with her morality, delivering a real and complex character.

5 Michonne

The Character Shows Strength And Compassion While Playing The Role Of Leader

• First appearance in TV Show: Season 2, Episode 13 ("Beside the Dying Fire")

With one of the most impactful first appearances in The Walking Dead, Michonne keeps her emotions under control when in leadership. Furthermore, she always thinks strategically about situations, seeking the best for everyone. During the Alexandria arc, she becomes one of its guardians, focusing on rebuilding the community beyond survival.

After losing her son, she wandered the world coldly and calculatingly, accompanied by her two zombie pets. She takes time to integrate with the group and trust fully, showing one of the greatest character developments. Michonne also maintains her strong values despite the world's brutality, such as compassion and strength, establishing herself as one of the greatest leaders.

4 King Ezekiel

Presenting Himself As A King, He Is One Of The Most Altruistic Leaders Of The Walking Dead

• First appearance in TV Show: Season 7, Episode 2 ("The Well")

As an experienced actor, Ezekiel used his charisma to become one of the best leaders of the series. With a well-structured and peaceful community, he resisted a post-apocalyptic world with nearly intact morality, allying with other groups, like Rick's, to face greater threats and keep his people safe. Thus, he has all the necessary capabilities to be a leader.

Alongside Shiva, a tigress who fights by his side, he maintains his image of royalty, showing empathy for both animals and people, demonstrating his ease in maintaining friendly relations. Although Ezekiel has his own traumas caused by losses, he tries to keep hope alive, besides staying true to his values as a person and leader of his community.

3 Daryl Dixon

Considered The Lone Wolf, He Developed Into One Of The Best Leaders

• First appearance in TV Show: Season1, Episode 3 ("Tell It to the Frogs")

Although introduced as a bully, Daryl has one of the greatest developments in The Walking Dead. Initially, he is the hunter for Rick's group of survivors and becomes the leader after his friend's disappearance. The character developed loyalty and emotional evolution throughout the series' episodes, becoming one of his group's pillars.

Through his important relationships like those with Carol and Judith, he was able to develop his empathy, which is essential to be considered a good leader for his survival group. Furthermore, he has made difficult decisions like sacrificing Leah, his former lover, to save Maggie. Through actions, he is one of the most important leaders of The Walking Dead.

2 Rick Grimes

The Protagonist Of The Walking Dead Is One Of The Most Iconic Leaders Of The Series

• First appearance in TV Show: Season1, Episode 1 ("Days Gone Bye")

As the series protagonist, Rick Grimes is one of the most iconic leaders in the zombie apocalypse series, although he made controversial decisions facing the new world's brutality. As a police officer, he demonstrates a strong sense of justice and order but resorts to pragmatism throughout the series, especially in extreme situations, to preserve the group's well-being.

Rick understands that, as a leader, he needs to make difficult decisions, proving capable of doing what others cannot, accepting the burden of having blood on his hands. Like when he killed Shane, his best friend, to keep his group safe. He demonstrates capability for extreme sacrifices for the greater good, proving to be one of the series' greatest characters.

1 Maggie Greene

With Her Pragmatism, The Character Establishes Herself As The Best Leader Of The Walking Dead

• First appearance in TV Show: Season 2, Episode 2 ("Bloodletting")

With the death of central characters and the protagonist's disappearance, Maggie Greene becomes the most important leader of The Walking Dead. Introduced in the series' second season, the character is Hershel's eldest daughter, responsible for gathering supplies. Growing closer to Glenn and the other survivors, she becomes one of the series' protagonists.

Throughout the seasons, she suffers several losses, such as Hershel, Beth, and Glenn. Besides becoming one of the toughest survivors, she transforms into a natural leader in Hilltop, replacing Gregory by presenting a firm and brave stance, with a strong sense of organization and politics. Unlike Rick or Ezekiel, she is a practical leader, direct in her decisions impacting an entire community.