Telltale’sThe Walking Deadvideo game series exploded onto the gaming scene in 2012, creating memorable characters and shocking deaths across its three sequels, miniseries, and special episodes. The games are set within the comic universe, but its fans have entertained the idea of seeing its characters in the live-action series.
With more spin-offs of AMC’sThe Walking Deadon the horizon, there’s a potential to see the live-action universe expand with some characters from the hit game series. Here are 12 characters from the game series that should join the live-action universe.
12William Carver
Every story needs a great villain, and William Carver certainly delivers inThe Walking Dead: Season Two. He was the tyrannical leader of a group living in an abandoned hardware store and makes his appearance inA House Divided, sneaking into a cabin and threatening Clementine for answers with his menacing presence.
Thankfully, Carver only appeared in two episodes yet left a lasting impact on the season’s characters due to his violent demeanor. He valued strength and leadership in his group, alienating anyone that did not find those standards.
Carver’s role in the series makes him one of the game’s best and most memorable villains. It’s interesting seeing how his manipulation and thinking influenced Clementine throughout the season, and it would be a treat to witness the character’s adaptation on television.
Season two of the game series came with a lot of polarizing decisions for fans, but no character was as divisive as Jane. A fellow member of the Howie’s Hardware group like Carver, Jane was a veracious, adaptable survivalist who some perceived as cold-hearted due to her belief that being alone is the best chance at survival.
Throughout the season, Jane’s self-conflicting decision-making and compassionate, teaching attitude toward the younger characters made her one of thebest examples of a morally gray character. Her decisions near the end of the season — provoking Kenny to show Clementine his true colors and leaving AJ alone in a car in the cold— truly divided fans. However, seeing one of the series’ most conflicting characters translated into live-action might give the creators more opportunities to explore the complexities of her character.
10Samantha Fairbanks
Before the release of the third season of Telltale’s series,The Walking Dead: Michonnewas released as a tie-in to the comics. The series explored the journey of katana-wielding Michonne Hawthorne during her departure from comics between issues 126 and 139. During her time, Michonne meets Samantha Fairbanks, a supply runner, after a ferry massacre.
Sam grows throughout the three-episode miniseries from a guarded and selfish individual to one of Michonne’s closest companions. Sam’s narrative of becoming a selfless yet complex individual would make for a great arc in the TV universe. And with Michonne’srelationship with Rick being so important within the show, it would be interesting to see a complicated bond explored with everyone’s favorite zombie-killing, katana wielder.
Related:TV Show Michonne’s Best Moments
In the harsh world of the apocalypse, Luke’s presence in season two offered a beacon of light for those he cared about. Luke was a compassionate and kind survivor, stepping in to lead his group of Cabin dwellers after their old leader, Pete, was killed by zombies.
Luke and Clementine, the central protagonist of the second season, shared a sibling-like bond that became the highlight of the season.
While it would be hard to adapt his character without the charm of Clementine or his best friend, Nick, his everlasting positivity would benefit the expanding universe.
Season four of the series, titledThe Walking Dead: The Final Season, saw the return of Clementine and a grown-up Alvin Jr. three years after the events of season 3. During the duo’s expedition to a sanctuary, they discover a community of teens at their boarding school. Among the teens is Violet, who becomes the group’s de-facto leader after Marlon is killed by Alvin Jr.
The improved scale of decision-making offered in the game’s final season allowed for many characters, like Violet, to be explored and fleshed out far past her outwardly sarcastic and pessimistic personality. She can even become a love interest for Clementine if the player chooses.
The journey Violet endures throughout the season is emotional and moving. Her inclusion within the universe would flow well, despite the determinant status of her character in the game.
Louis, in many ways, resembled the positivity and light present in Clementine’s former companion, Luke, through his shared love for being optimistic. The aspiring musician is one of the many teens Clementine encounters in season four, and his humorous personality makes him a clear highlight among the new faces.
Like Violet, Louis can become a love interest for Clementine, and his story in the narrative can become equally emotional — with the removal of his tongue by one of the main antagonist’s men. The show is full of comedic characters, such as Princess, Negan and Abraham, and the vibrant charm of Louis could blend right in with some of the show’s best.
In an interview withTwinfinite, the creative director of the game’s final season, Kent Mudle, said the team was deciding on two characters from season one, Christa and Lilly, to return to season four. The team wanted someone capable of leading a military group, and Mudle said “Lilly was the only character [that made sense]” as “it would be hard to imagine Christa as the leader of a military group that kidnaps children.”
The decision to bring Lilly back proved pivotal, as the character became a ruthless and terrorizing antagonist in a short span of episodes in the last season. Lilly’s full villain turn from her early abrasiveness was fascinating to watch play out and made her determinate demise at the hands of Alvin Jr. deserved.
Lilly is one of the game’s many compelling villains, and introducing her characteristics in a world of Alpha and The Governor would be compelling to watch.
5Javier Garcia
Javier Garcia was introduced into the game’s universe inThe Walking Dead: A New Frontier, the game’s third season, where he served as the protagonist. While the season is not as highly regarded as the first and last season, Javier’s journey as he confronts the New Frontier group with Clementine proved the character was capable of leading a story on his own.
While Javier’s role as a playable character influences his personality, his compelling backstory and estranged relationship with his family can create a gripping narrative for the television series.
4Alvin Jr.
Throughout the latter half of the series, primarily in the third season, Clementine’s main motivation for survival is the well-being ofAlvin Jr., the son of Rebecca and either Alvin or Carver, whom she rescues from a ranch.
The evolution of AJ’s character as he grows up in a post-apocalyptic environment serves as the most fascinating aspect of the game’s final season. Clementine acts as the voice of reason for AJ and helps him try to mature — despite him only being 5 years old in season four.
The layers of choice present throughout the season, as each player shapes AJ differently, would make his translation into a scripted series difficult. However, if the writers were to introduce and include the most compelling aspects of his character, such as keen survival skills and development present in the season’s final two episodes, then he could become one of the show’s better characters.
Related:Why Sarah Wayne Callies Left The Walking Dead, Explained
Whenever characters from the video game series are discussed, it does not take long for Kenny’sname to be brought up. The fan-favorite yet controversially loved former commercial fisherman was first introduced in the game’s first season. Since then, he returned in season two and again through flashbacks in season three, depending on one’s choices.
Kenny is a conflicted individual who is broken by the deaths of his family members and the ones he truly cared about over the years. He is incredibly loyal to a fault, making it extremely obvious to know where his loyalties and emotions lie. All of this makes him one of the game’s most crucial characters to the game’s first protagonist, Lee, and the development of a young Clementine in season two.
A live-action portrayal of Kenny would fit perfectly into the expanded universe AMC is building, and he can easily add to the list ofmemorable fight scenes in the seriesthanks to season two’s ending.
