Created by Scott M. Gimple and Danai Gurira, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live is the latest TV spin-off of AMC’s landmark zombie series, The Walking Dead. Set well after the events of the original series, the plot follows the surviving members of the undead apocalypse, including famous series mainstays like Rick Grimes, Michonne, Jadis Stokes, and others. The show marks the sixth Walking Dead spin-off and the seventh overall series in the mega-popular horror franchise.

With The Ones Who Live slated to premiere on AMC+ on Feb. 25, 2024, now is a great time to get a beat on the characters and discover which Walking Dead stalwarts are poised to reprise their roles and what new characters will be added to the fray. Here is the official cast and character guide for the six-episode limited series The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.

Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes

In arguably the most exciting news, Andrew Lincoln is back as Rick Grimes in The Ones Who Live. The former sheriff’s deputy from Atlanta became the de facto leader of the original surviving group after the zombie apocalypse broke out and created global chaos. Lincoln played the character for nine seasons in the original TWD series, with his compelling character arc ranging from unthinkable tragic family losses to gallant moralistic guidance. His return was teased at the end of the TWD and the storyline of The Ones Who Live is expected to pick up from there.

Although Rick Grimes has marked a career-defining role for Lincoln in the all-time great zombie TV series, the talented British actor famously starred in Love, Actually, Gangster No. 1, This Life, and Afterlife early in his career. Lincoln’s post-TWD credits include Penguin Bloom, Guillermo del Toro’s Cabinet of Curiosities, Old Vic: In Camera – A Christmas Carol, and more. To date, Lincoln has portrayed Grimes for 12 years, 120 episodes, and counting.

Danai Gurira as Michonne

In addition to co-producing, Danai Gurira reprises her role as Michonne in The Ones Who Live. Michonne is the ultra-cool, katana-sporting survivor of the zombie apocalypse who climbs the ranks to become the leader of the Safe Zone in Alexandria. After both Rick and Michonne lost their loved ones in the original series, the two became an official romantic pairing in Season 6 before eventually marrying each other. As such, fans can expect their marriage to be explored further in the upcoming spin-off.

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Gurira is a supremely talented actor who continues to make her presence felt in movies and television. Although Michonne is likely her most famous character thus far in her career (126 episodes and counting), Gurira notably gave powerful performances as Okoye in Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, both Black Panther movies, and What If…? Beyond the Marvel world, Gurira’s other notable credits include Treme, Mother of George, and All Eyez on Me.

Pollyanna McIntosh as Jadis Stokes/Ann

Pollyanna McIntosh also reprises her role as Jadis Stokes/Ann in The Ones Who Live. Jadis is an officer serving in the Civic Republic Military (CRM), which wages martial law. In the original TWD series, Jadis went missing along with Rick after the CRM helicopter they were on suddenly disappeared. Jadis also took on a starring role in Season 2 of the 2020 spin-off, The Walking Dead: World Beyond.

McIntosh is an accomplished Scottish actor, writer, and director who broke out with an unforgettable performance in the disturbing Lucky McKee horror movie The Woman in 2011. Beyond her work in the TWD universe, McIntosh has given standout turns in such TV shows as Scavenger’s Reign, Hap and Leonard, Vikings: Valhalla, and M.I. High. Fans can also see McIntosh in such movies as Darlin’, Deathcember, Double Blind, Apocalypse Clown, and more.

Lesley-Ann Brandt as Pearl Thorne

Lesley-Ann Brandt plays a new character named Pearl Thorne in The Ones Who Live. While details were kept under wraps at the time of the casting announcement, it has since been revealed that Pearl will serve as the main antagonist of the 6-part limited series. While her backstory is currently unknown, Pearl lived in Cape Flats in Cape Town, South Africa. According to The Walking Dead Fandom, Thorne relocates from Africa to Pennsylvania and joins the CRM following the zombie outbreak.

With 30 credits since her career commenced in 2007, Brandt famously portrayed Mazikeen, a.k.a. Lilith, in the Netflix crime fantasy series, Lucifer, a role she mastered over 6 seasons and 93 episodes. Brandt also has experience fighting the undead after starring in the movie Zombie Apocalypse in 2011. With versatile turns in The Librarians, Single Ladies, Spartacus: Gods of the Arena, and more, Brandt is poised to deliver a knockout performance in The Ones Who Live.

Terry O’Quinn as Major General Beale

Played by Terry O’Quinn, Major General Beale is another new character added to The Ones Who Live. Beale is a survivor of the zombie outbreak and serves as the leader of the CRM. Along with Pearl Thorne, Beale will play an antagonistic role who opposes Rick and Michonne’s leadership. According to The Walking Dead Fandom, Beale is a ruthless military leader with blood on his hands whose tours in the Vietnam War have left him with a vicious demeanor. He also has a son named Mason.

Fans of frightening 1980s horror movies will likely always associate O’Quinn with his iconic role as The Stepfather. Yet, with over 125 credits in his decorated career, O’Quinn can be seen in everything from Lost and Young Guns to Millennium, Alias, and much more. Additional horror credits for O’Quinn include Castle Rock, 666 Park Avenue, The X-Files, and Tales From the Crypt. The casting of O’Quinn in The Ones Who Live is truly inspiring and fans can expect him to deliver a terrifying turn on the show.

Matthew August Jeffers as Nat

Matthew August Jeffers plays a character named Nat in The Ones Who Live. Apart from being a survivor of the zombie apocalypse in Pennsylvania, not much is currently known about Nat’s background. However, The Walking Dead Fandom reports that Nat will be a bilingual character who can speak Japanese, a skill he uses to translate engravings on a boat found by Michonne. The site also states that Nat will be the first character in franchise history with dwarfism.

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A relative newcomer since 2015, Jeffers has made a large impact in a short time. Upon making his screen debut in The Blacklist, Jeffers starred in FBI, Unidentified Objects, The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel, and Great Performances. However, Jeffers’ most prominent role to date includes playing Dr. Mark Walsh in the acclaimed medical drama, New Amsterdam, a character he portrayed for five seasons and 34 episodes.

Breeda Wool as Aiden

Breeda Wool is set to reprise the role of Aiden in The Ones Who Live. Aiden was a surviving member of the caravan headed to safety at an unknown destination in the original TWD series. In Season 10, Aiden joins the caravan along with Bailey after seeking help from Michonne. While distrusting at first, Michonne ultimately welcomes Aiden and Bailey into the group and vows to protect them along their sojourn.

Wool is an American actor who began her career in 2007 and has since amassed nearly 60 screen credits. She recently starred in the acclaimed Shudder original horror movie Birth/Rebirth and has plenty of small-screen horror experience after playing Lou Linklatter in Stephen King’s Mr. Mercedes. Fans can also see Wool in National Treasure: Edge of History, UnReal, Glow, Mass, and more.