Negan

Negan is a fictional character in the comic book series The Walking Dead, its self-titled television adaptation, and its spin-off miniseries Dead City. The character is fully named Negan Smith in the television series. He initially appears as an antagonist, the leader of the Saviors who oppresses other survivor communities and forces them to pay tribute. In the comics, the character's appearance is based on Henry Rollins, as confirmed by artist Charlie Adlard. Jeffrey Dean Morgan portrays Negan in the television series, having first appeared in the sixth-season finale. When offered the role of Negan, Morgan immediately accepted, as he was already a fan of the comic book series.

After Rick Grimes and his fellow survivors agree to begin a trading relationship with the Hilltop Colony, they are ambushed by the Saviors and forced to obey Negan's orders to give the Saviors half of their supplies, as the other communities do. Initially obedient, Rick and his group conspire with other communities in the Washington, DC, area to prepare for war against the Saviors. Negan is defeated by this alliance and incarcerated for years, until the Whisperers emerge as a threat to the communities. Transformed into an antihero, Negan kills the Whisperers' leader Alpha and participates in subsequent battles, earning himself a pardon to live alone in exile. While Negan has no further role in the comic books, the character returns in the final season of the television series and the spin-off Dead City. In the latter, he is partnered with Maggie Greene as a protagonist.

Morgan has received critical acclaim for his portrayal of Negan in the television series, earning the Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series, MTV Movie Award for Best Villain, and Saturn Award for Best Guest Starring Role on Television. Although the character himself initially received a mixed reception as the main antagonist of Seasons 7 and 8, with some critics calling him "ridiculous", his redemption arc in the later seasons has caused him to become viewed by many as among the best and most well-developed characters in the series.