Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes (Seasons 1-2)
© TWD Productions/Courtesy of AMCRick Grimes is a small-town sheriff's deputy who wakes from a coma to an undead apocalypse and sets off in search of his family. Rick is an everyman -- smart, calm, just, a good friend and father -- but will often stubbornly cling to his personal strong moral code. Rick is a natural leader, a fact that causes tension with Shane, who was in charge before Rick's arrival.
Sarah Wayne Callies as Lori Grimes (Seasons 1-2)
© TWD Productions/Courtesy of AMCLori is Rick's wife and Carl's mother. Believing Rick to be dead, she follows Shane to Atlanta after the apocalypse, counting on her husband's partner to keep her and her son safe. Shortly afterward, Shane and Lori begin having an affair, but when Rick returns from Atlanta alive and well, Lori ends it. Lori is a fiercely protective mother, desperate to keep her son safe. She's also the emotional center of the group of survivors, fighting to maintain their decency and rituals.
Jon Bernthal as Shane Walsh (Seasons 1-2)
© TWD Productions/Courtesy of AMCShane is Rick's partner and best friend since high school. When the apocalypse occurs -- with Rick in a coma -- Shane helps save Lori and Carl by fleeing with them toward Atlanta. Among the survivors, he became the de facto leader, and believing Rick to be dead, he begins an affair with Lori. However, when Rick returns, she ends the relationship, and Shane's influence among the group lessens, causing tension between the partners.
Laurie Holden as Andrea (Seasons 1-2)
© TWD Productions/Courtesy of AMCA successful civil rights attorney, Andrea was on a road trip with her younger sister Amy, headed back to Amy's college when the zombie apocalypse occurred. They were rescued by Dale, and they've been living with him ever since. Never one to shy away from a fight, Andrea is headstrong, opinionated and first and foremost interested in keeping Amy safe.
Emma Bell as Amy (Season 1)
© TWD Productions/Courtesy of AMCAmy and her older sister Andrea have made their home in Dale's RV at the camp. She is twelve years younger than Andrea, which causes tension between the sisters -- especially given that Andrea was distant while Amy was growing up. The experience of the apocalypse has strengthened their bond enormously, allowing the sisters to reflect on their different upbringings.
Jeffrey DeMunn as Dale (Seasons 1-2)
© TWD Productions/Courtesy of AMCDale had planned to spend his retirement traveling the country with his beloved wife Irma in their RV, but she passed away from cancer before their dream came to pass. When he meets Andrea and Amy, he forms new family bonds. His age, calm experience and RV provide the nucleus around which the community of survivors has formed. He is wise, sometimes profound and is the respected elder of the group.
Steven Yeun as Glenn (Seasons 1-2)
© TWD Productions/Courtesy of AMCGlenn used to deliver pizzas for a living, and knows every shortcut in Atlanta. He meets Rick during one of his frequent trips into Atlanta to scavenge supplies. Witnessing Rick's assault by walkers, he decides to guide Rick to safety via a handheld radio.
Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes (Seasons 1-2)
© TWD Productions/Courtesy of AMCCarl flees his small town with his mom, Lori, and his dad's best friend Shane. He is a kind boy -- inquisitive and intelligent -- but quiet, struggling to maintain his innocence and cope with loss. In Rick's absence Carl bonds with Shane, who becomes a surrogate father figure for him. Carl worships his father as well and believes Rick to be indestructible.
Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon (Seasons 1-2)
© AMCAngry at the members of the group who left his brother Merle for dead, handcuffed on a rooftop in Atlanta, Daryl is on a road of self-discovery now that he is out of his big brother's shadow. He's a tracker. He's observant. And he is fully capable of surviving on his own. However, he is appreciating the concept of family from afar, perhaps for the first time in his life. He slowly starts to develop individual relationships, all the while fighting his instinct to be distant, yet feeding his need for emotional connection like a child.
IronE Singleton as T-Dog (Seasons 1-2)
© AMCStruggling with the guilt of leaving Merle behind on the rooftop, T-Dog feels the need to continually prove his worth to the group. But he is rendered useless and vulnerable. Finding newfound trust in Dale, T-Dog confides in him and discloses a better plan for survival.
Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier (Seasons 1-2)
© AMCWith the death of her abusive husband Ed, Carol finds additional inner strength and some peace of mind that the main threat to her and her daughter Sophia now only comes from outside the group. But her nightmare is just beginning.
Madison Lintz as Sophia Peletier (Seasons 1-2)
© AMCThe daughter of Carol and the now deceased Ed, Sophia further withdraws. She takes solace in her friendship with Carl. They are truly each other's best friends. Worried her mother will be the next one to die, Sophia becomes unnerved as the Walkers appear to organize.
