The Walking Dead: 5 Characters Most Likely To Die Next

4. Rick Grimes

Why He Might Be Next: Rick is the main protagonist of The Walking Dead. We've seen him through every horror and heartbreak. We know more about him than any other character. We may not always like him, but we have always been at least somewhat invested in him. He's the main character! Not that that will save him. While he had some pretty secure plot armour for the first three and a half years of the show, watching the Governor strangle him to the verge of death in the midseason finale gave the distinct impression that all bets were off for Rick Grimes. There's the question of how much more Rick can take without imploding. He's been emotionally unstable since Lori's death in early Season 3, and the presumed death of his daughter as well as the loss of the prison have done his mental health no favours. If he manages to reunite with any of the other survivors and does not have an upswing in stability, it's difficult to imagine that he could retake the mantle of leadership that had so long defined him. It's not as though he'll have the option of retreating to a garden this time around. One of the factors that once gave him the most in-show protection was Carl. As much as Carl has been growing into a capable young man before our very eyes, he still needed to stand on a countertop to reach a high shelf in episode 9. He couldn't break through a door on his own. He doesn't yet have the strength, height, or reach to pose much of a threat to Walkers without a loaded gun in his hand. Carl needed his father. Now, however, Michonne has entered the mix. Between her lack of injury, awesomeness with a katana, and clear affection for Carl, he would be in good €“ perhaps better €“ hands if he were to lose his father. All in all, it's beginning to feel like Rick's story is coming to a close to pave the way for Carl. Why He Has A Chance: He's the protagonist of the show! Not even The Walking Dead could easily kill off the protagonist, and neither Carl nor Chandler Riggs are quite ready to be the prime Grimes just yet. It's also likely that Rick will live long enough to see Judith €“ and Carol €“ again. (And hopefully Daryl.) His story could conclude neatly and tragically now, but there are still plenty of places for his character to go.