Carol Peletier

Carol
The Walking Dead character
Carol, as she appears in the comic book series (left) and as portrayed by Melissa McBride in the television series (right).
First appearance	Comic: "Issue #3" (2003) Television: "Tell It to the Frogs" (2010)
Last appearance	Comic: "Issue #42" (2007)
Created by	Robert Kirkman Tony Moore
Adapted by	Frank Darabont Charles H. Eglee Jack LoGiudice
Portrayed by	Melissa McBride
In-universe information
Occupation	Former Leader of the Saviors Former Co-Leader of the Kingdom Former Ship Captain Former Baker for the Commonwealth Director of Operations for the Commonwealth
Fighting style	Hand-to-hand combat Archery
Weapon	Knuckle Knife Bow and Arrow
Family	Comic: Andrea Grimes (granddaughter) Carl Grimes (son-in-law)
Spouses	Television: Ed Peletier (named only in the television series) King Ezekiel (ex-husband)
Significant others	Comic: Tyreese Billy Greene Television: Tobin
Children	Sophia Peletier (daughter) Television: Lizzie and Mika Samuels (adopted daughters) Henry Sutton (adopted son) Judith Grimes (adopted niece) R.J. Grimes (adopted nephew)

Carol (full name in the television series: Carol Peletier) (/ˈpɛltieɪ/) is a fictional character from the comic book series The Walking Dead, and the television series of the same name, where she is portrayed by Melissa McBride. Carol is introduced in the third issue of the comic's first volume, "Days Gone Bye", and the third episode of the first season of the television series, as a meek housewife and mother of Sophia at the survival camp in Atlanta, Georgia. Her arc in the television series was described as a "hero's journey" by executive producer Scott M. Gimple, having made many difficult decisions in order to survive.^[1]

The direction of her character is contrasted between the two mediums. In the comic series, Carol is a 25-year-old housewife who exhibits a neurotic, self-centered, and naive demeanor. Throughout her arc, she grows increasingly unstable, to the extent of self-destruction, and ultimately commits suicide. In the television show, she is shown to be a stern, pragmatic and compassionate individual who has been gradually building inner strength, becoming much more capable and emotionally stable than her comic book counterpart. The abuse she suffered from her husband was explicitly shown in the television series, whereas it was hinted at in the comics. In addition, Carol and Tyreese have a brief romantic relationship in the comics before they break up and Carol commits suicide.

In the television series, Carol evacuates her home with her abusive husband Ed and her daughter Sophia in hopes of a safe haven in Atlanta, where they join a camp of survivors. Following the deaths of her husband and daughter, Carol forms a close bond with camp survivor Daryl Dixon. After the prison falls, she becomes the adoptive mother to Lizzie and Mika Samuels. The trio meet up with Tyreese and Carol saves the rest of Rick's group from the cannibals at Terminus. After arriving at the Alexandria Safe-Zone, Carol becomes one of its key defenders and attempts a relationship with a resident named Tobin, but quickly realizes Tobin is only a bandaid on her pain. She begins to feel the guilt of those she has killed and becomes suicidal, until saved by Morgan and brought to the Kingdom led by King Ezekiel. She eventually marries Ezekiel and adopts a young Kingdom resident named Henry.

Initially a recurring cast member, McBride was upgraded to a series regular at the onset of the second season, and the character's role predominantly increased since the fourth season. McBride became second-billed as of the final three episodes of the tenth season. Carol is one of the last original survivors, along with Rick and Daryl. She is also the series' longest-living female character, and the only female character to have appeared in every season. Carol and Daryl are the only characters that have been in the series since the first season.

McBride's performance as Carol has received critical acclaim from television commentators, and some critics have referred to Carol as the series' best character.^[2] In September 2020, it was announced that McBride and Norman Reedus (Daryl) would headline their own spin-off series, scheduled to premiere in 2023.^[3] However, McBride exited the project prior to filming.^[4] In October 2023, McBride reprised her role as Carol in the first season finale of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, and it was confirmed that she would be appearing as a series regular in the second season, subtitled The Book of Carol, scheduled to premiere in 2024.^[5]