SPOILER WARNING: Plot and ending details for The Walking Dead Season 10 follow.

Before Game of Thrones normalized character deaths as a tool for plot twists, The Walking Dead had been doing so for years. It has killed around 50 notable characters, as opposed to the Nordic fantasy’s 20.

That being said, after Andrew Lincoln’s departure from his lead role in Season 9, we shouldn’t be too surprised by now. Regardless, the deaths or exits in Season 10 came as a shock. 

So, as a new season is on the horizon, we found it fitting to have a look at the cemetery and dig up the five big names who have either died or exited in the tenth installment. 

Thora Birch as Gamma

Thora Birch’s character was killed halfway through Season 10 by the second-in-command of the Whisperers, Beta.

In a shocking stab to the gut and a twist that does the job, Gamma was left dead and eventually becomes an undead walker herself. But, unfortunately, this is only for a short while as her sentience is ended at the pointy end of an arrow.

Lindsley Register as Laura 

Lindsley Register’s stint as Laura was perhaps one of the more endearing redemption arcs of the series. Finding herself as a lieutenant to Negan’s pack of droogs, to a member of Alexandria who wants to do good for others, she quickly became the apple of the eye for many fans. 

However, rather than a shock, her death came as a disappointment. Beta stormed the interior of Alexandria’s settlement and mowed through anyone who was in his way.

Laura was flung against a wall and killed off with a wet snap of the neck. 

Samantha Morton as the Whisperer Leader, Alpha

It takes a true psychopath to slash someone’s throat, hold them in their arms as the blood drains away, and watch them intensely in the eye as the light slips out — all with a smile.

That was the fate of Alpha, played by Samantha Morton, at the hands of Negan. This death indeed came as a surprise, but only bad things can come from getting close to a guy like him. 

Ryan Hurst as Beta 

Ryan Hurst, as Beta of the cult, is a stoic hulking mass of a killing machine. With many bodies dead at his feet and undead at his command, the fans themselves fear him.

So being baited by Negan and stabbed in both eyes by Daryl was satisfaction that was a long time in the making. But that was not just it.

As he was being devoured by his hoard of walkers, his mask fell off, revealing that he was Half Moon — country musician adored by Negan and his late wife. 

Danai Gurira as Michonne 

Danai Gurira’s Michonne is one of the few characters who is not killed off the show but goes on a long adventure to find a better future. Michonne’s last appearance was on episode 13, in which she embarked on a mission to rediscover her long-lost love. 

Michonne was trapped by her traveling partner Vigil, who drugged her. She decided to flee after having hallucinations about an alternative world.

She dreamed about joining the Saviors, becoming best friends with Negan, murdering Glenn, and then murders even more people by taking Negan's place in the famed baseball bat lineup scene.

Season 11 of The Walking Dead will premiere on August 21, 2021, and will consist of 24 episodes that will air throughout the following year.