‘Walking Dead’ Creator Robert Kirkman: ‘No Character Is Too Popular To Die’

Watch out Walking Dead fans! In a recent Reddit AMA (Ask Me Anything) session, The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman hinted that no one, not even the show’s star characters played by Andrew Lincoln or Norman Reedus is safe from getting the ax on AMC’s hit zombie show:

“In my opinion, I feel like characters ripen like fruit. So while I wouldn’t say the more popular a character is the more likely they are to die, they do have to reach a certain level of popularity before they’ve ‘earned’ the death. No character is too popular to die. (Suck it, Reedus!)”

Norman Reedus plays fan-favorite Daryl Dixon on The Walking Dead. Alongside Rick Grimes, played by Andrew Lincoln, they represent the two most popular, most well known characters on the show. Reedus meanwhile is the most talked about when it comes to fan shippers wanting to see their favorite characters hook up onscreen. Currently, there is significant clamor online to see Norman’s Daryl Dixon ship with Beth Greene, played by Emily Kinney.

[Warning: Spoilers Ahead]

The fact that Beth was kidnapped in a recent episode and Kirkman is on record, as previously reported by Inquisitr, as saying that Daryl and Beth have a “slim chance” of getting together only suggests more calamity for the pair. But to go so far as to threaten Reedus or Kinney’s characters is what makes the show so great. Most television shows would think twice about killing their most popular or most well known characters while on The Walking Dead it’s almost commonplace. Talk about your “Must See TV”.

The Walking Dead on AMC is based on the comic book of the same name. Kirkman was asked on Reddit whether or not he would continue the series, which is currently in the early hundreds. Robert responded to the question a lot more definitively than he did the fate of Beth Greene:

“I do plan on doing at least 300 issues, but if I’m having this much fun then I won’t stop there. Also, if I suddenly start having a lot LESS fun, I may end it earlier, but I don’t see that happening. I’m in for the long haul, and [artist] Charlie Adlard is too.”

And as for the aforementioned Greene? Kirkman simply told participants: “We will see Beth again… eventually.” Not the most comforting words, but in the world of The Walking Dead, no one, not even Daryl Dixon, Rick Grimes or Beth Greene is safe.