13 Years Later, The Walking Dead Is Wasting Its Best Character (But I Know Exactly How to Fix It)

The Walking Dead continues to forge new paths forward as it explores the world over a decade into the zombie apocalypse. Though the original series concluded three years ago, the franchise shambles on in the form of multiple spinoff shows following iconic characters, including Negan and Maggie in Dead City, Rick and Michonne in The Ones Who Live, and Daryl and Carol in Daryl Dixon. These spinoffs have had their trials, but all find their niche in the larger Walking Dead universe.

One disappointing aspect inherent in The Walking Dead's spinoff series is that the original show's full ensemble cast remains separated. AMC's post-apocalyptic series built a massive and endearing cast over eleven seasons, introducing a myriad of fan-favorite characters along the way. Unfortunately, the new spinoffs only highlight specific characters, leaving others to wallow in the background, if they appear at all. While some of these excluded characters may have wrapped up their storylines in the original series, others still have a lot more story to tell. One of the most egregious missteps these new spinoffs made is to exclude The Walking Dead's most interesting character almost entirely.

How Judith Grimes Became The Walking Dead's Most Interesting Character

Rick and Lori's Daughter Grew Up on the Series

No one expected Judith Grimes to become one of The Walking Dead's most interesting characters, but her arc throughout the series proves that her inclusion is one of the best parts of AMC's hit post-apocalyptic series. Judith is born in The Walking Dead's third season, though her mother, Lori, dies shortly thereafter. This leaves Judith's father, Rick, and older brother, Carl, to look after her in her infant years. Unlike the other characters in the series, Judith grows up in the apocalypse, never knowing the world before.

Even before she is old enough to understand this dangerous new world, Judith suffers countless tragedies, including the death of her brother and the mysterious disappearance of her father. While she has very little impact on the early seasons of The Walking Dead, it is after the show's massive time jump in Season 9 that Judith really shines as one of the show's most interesting characters.

After Rick Grimes's disappearance in Season 9, The Walking Dead jumps ahead six years, thrusting the audience into a new age of the apocalypse. Cailey Fleming, a young actress known for her roles in Star Wars: The Force Awakens and the Disney+ series Loki, plays a 10-year-old Judith, who takes a much more prominent position in the series. Judith is not like other children who appeared in earlier seasons of The Walking Dead.

Having grown up in the apocalypse, Judith understands the danger of the world around her and is well-equipped to protect herself and the people around her. She is still very much a child, with plenty of lessons to learn as she continues to grow, but she is hardly a defenseless one. Embodying the best traits of her parents, Judith is perhaps the best survivor of them all, having grown up in a dangerous world. Still young by the end of the series, Judith's future appears bright by the finale, as audiences eagerly anticipate seeing more of the character as she continues to grow up. Unfortunately, The Walking Dead doesn't seem interested in continuing Judith's story.

The Walking Dead Is Wasting Judith Grimes

Judith Has Barely Appeared Since the Original Show Ended

Much to viewers' disappointment, Judith Grimes has barely been featured since The Walking Dead's series finale. The Walking Dead ended in late 2022 with a historic 11-season run, closing out one chapter of the post-apocalyptic franchise. However, the story continues on in the form of multiple spinoffs following iconic characters from the flagship series. Unfortunately, Judith Grimes is not featured prominently in any of these series, which choose to focus on characters whom audiences have already seen plenty of in the original Walking Dead.

Rather than focusing on new characters with plenty more stories to tell, The Walking Dead's spinoffs focus primarily on characters first introduced in the early seasons of the series. Judith, whose story is only just beginning, doesn't have a role to play in any of these spinoffs. This is a major missed opportunity for The Walking Dead, as it continues to ignore one of its most interesting characters.

Judith makes a brief appearance in one of The Walking Dead's spinoffs and, to its credit, her cameo works very well. Fleming reprises her role in the finale of The Ones Who Live, appearing in an emotional scene wherein she finally reunites with her long-lost father and stepmother, who have finally returned home after years away. For the first time in eight years, the Grimes family is finally reunited, marking a happy ending to a long and tragic saga. While Judith's appearance in The Ones Who Live is memorable, the character deserves to be featured far more prominently in the franchise.

How Judith Can Return for More Walking Dead

Fans Want to See More of the Grimes Family

There is still a chance that Judith can return for more appearances in the Walking Dead universe. The Ones Who Live was developed as a limited series, telling a tight and emotional story across a single season. However, the series also proves to be the best Walking Dead spinoff by far, leaving fans hopeful that it could be renewed for a second season. This would be the best opportunity for audiences to see Judith again after her most recent appearance, and The Walking Dead can't afford to pass up this chance.

A second season of The Ones Who Live could finally allow Judith to team up with Rick Grimes, giving audiences the father-daughter duo they've wanted to see for years. Judith would finally have the chance to show her survival skills off to her proud father, while Rick would finally can get to know the daughter he last saw as a toddler.

The Ones Who Live could use future seasons to set up Judith as a new protagonist for the franchise. After all, Judith represents a new generation of survivors who will inherit the world that Rick, Michonne, and all their allies fought so hard for. As great as it is to spend time with these older survivors, their time is rapidly coming to an end. If The Walking Dead wants to survive, it needs to put a greater focus on the younger generation. Judith is the perfect character to lead this new generation, if only the franchise would give her time to shine.