Woodbury extras

Background survivors gather in Woodbury

Redshirts (Guts)

Several background survivors in camp


Background survivors are usually left unnamed, have no speaking roles, and are uncredited. They are ideal for being used as redshirts, characters used to "dramatize the dangerous situation experienced by the main characters", such as the zombie attack on the camp in Season 1 Episode 4 ("Vatos") or in the prison in Season 4 Episode 2 ("Infected").

With the introduction of several towns and communities, extras are utilized as background survivors to show a large population at these settlements, including Woodbury, Alexandria Safe-Zone, Hilltop Colony, and the prison community. Extras are also used to populate several groups, including the Wolves, the Saviors, the Governor's new group of followers, and the Vatos gang, among other minor groups.

Atlanta Survivor Camp

A total of 33 survivors lived in the camp set up outside of Atlanta, Georgia, 13 being nameless, background survivors. They seem detached from the main cast as they have no major dialogue (except screaming when the walkers attack), and only participate during significant events, such as Rick Grimes or T-Dog radioing camp and the violent confrontations with Daryl Dixon and Jim. During the zombie attack on the camp in the episode "Vatos", all background survivors were killed in the attack, whether they appeared or not, as filming took place over a span of multiple days and not all extras were recurring. The following morning, Glenn Rhee insisted that they all be buried on the hillside, instead of being burned along with the rest of the zombie carcasses.

Convo with Orlando Vargas
Speaking Roles

Even though background survivors did not have credited speaking lines, some of their voices can be heard in the episode "Tell It to the Frogs".

  • "Morning." - said by extra Mitch as Rick leaves his tent early the next day.

Atlanta Nursing Home

NH patients

Residents sit in the mainspace



Thugs and guards
Elderly residents and nursing staff

1st Cavalry Division


National Guardsmen

Six unnamed (with the exception of Wilson), uncredited National Guardsmen were seen at a small encampment in Season 3's "Walk With Me". They were all led by Brady and were murdered by The Governor's men as they led an ambush on the encampment.




"Say the Word"

Governor and Woodbury extras

"I Ain't a Judas"

Woodbury extras bts (The Suicide King)

"The Suicide King"












  • It can be assumed anyone not seen after the arena attack is considered another casualty of the attack.

Prison Community





Martinez' Camp





In "A", Rick Grimes and his group arrive to Terminus, consisting of a leader Gareth and a woman named Mary who welcomes in all survivors. Terminus contains over 40 residents, with some being part of the original community and others who joined after accepting the cannibalistic way of life.

Only a few residents are seen doing everyday tasks in "A", such as painting signs which lead to Terminus or eating their meals. In "No Sanctuary", over 30 new Terminus residents are seen, bringing Rick, Daryl, Glenn, and Bob to the slaughter room and defending Terminus from the horde of walkers that overrun Terminus. Most of the residents were victims of the walkers being devoured, were shot down by Carol or killed by the flames that spread throughout Terminus. Although unknown if any escaped, Maggie tells Rick that it was either run or die as the fences were brought down.


Grady Memorial Hospital

A number of officers and patients reside at the community established at Grady Memorial Hospital. The following are uncredited characters, some of which are named.

See credited characters: Dawn Lerner, Steven Edwards, Gorman, O'Donnell, Amanda Shepherd, Licari, Lamson, Percy, Noah, Joan.

Alexandria Safe-Zone

The Alexandria Safe-Zone community is home to at least 60 people, a mix of credited characters and extras. Most of the background survivors can be seen socializing with neighbors, serving on the construction crew, or carrying out everyday tasks (reading, on guard duty, walking the dog). Often times, many extras are present for various events, including the Glenn/Aiden confrontation, Deanna's party, the Rick/Pete fight, and the community forum regarding Rick's fate in Season 5; the town meeting at Deanna's house, the construction of the diversion wall, Rick's speech at the town gates, the battle against the zombies after the walls fall, and Rosita's machete class in Season 6.

The majority of the background cast has been recurring between Seasons 5, 6 and 7, appearing in many episodes and some having been killed off in notable events (Wolves attack, quarry mission, etc.). There are a few extras who have only appeared once or twice, but the majority are recurring extras for Alexandria, with several recurring extras making their debut appearance in Season 6

For a list of background survivors, their episode appearances, and additional images, please see: Background Survivors (TV Series)/Alexandria Safe-Zone

The Wolves

The majority of the Wolves are extras, who only appear in one episode "JSS" as they attack Alexandria before being killed. Several Wolves are credited in "JSS" as well as "Conquer" and "Thank You". Those who were credited remain nameless, except for the Wolves' leader: Owen, Blond Wolf, Red Jacket Wolf, Satchel Wolf, Shaved Head Wolf, and Black Bearded Wolf.

Hilltop Colony

The Hilltop Colony is a farming community made up of a smaller group of survivors than Alexandria. Many of the residents can be seen meandering in the background, working with farm animals or crafting tools at the outdoor workshops, or simply chatting with fellow residents

Background Survivors (TV Series)/Hilltop Colony

The Saviors

Since the number of people that make up the Saviors is so large, the majority of the group are made up of extras, many with one time appearances as usually their characters are killed off, as was the case in Season 6. Since "Last Day on Earth" and "The Day Will Come When You Won't Be", the Saviors have been featured as alive and as a result, are the first recurring extras of the Saviors. Since their first appearance in the Season 6 finale and Season 7 premiere, many Saviors have been recurring, appearing at the Sanctuary and at Alexandria with Negan. Some Savior extras appear exclusively at the Sanctuary, as they are "workers" or family members.

Background Survivors (TV Series)/The Saviors

The Kingdom

Background Survivors (TV Series)/The Kingdom


A group of at least 90+ women and children make up the background population of Oceanside. Most of the children are seen playing while the women look after them or perform other duties such as lookout, gardening, laundry, and many participate in going after Tara when the alarm is raised. As of Season 10, several men have joined the community.

Background Survivors (TV Series)/Oceanside

The Scavengers

A group of at least 100+ different extras make up the background population for the Scavengers. Most of the members are seen surrounding Rick's group, and are present for the trade between Rick and Jadis.

Background Survivors (TV Series)/The Scavengers

The Whisperers

Background Survivors (TV Series)/The Whisperers

The Highwaymen


The following are miscellaneous characters, though not all necessarily survivors, that have appeared in the TV Series.

Linden County

Harrison Memorial Hospital

Road to Atlanta


King County School



Woods Camp

The following characters appears in the episode "Dead Weight".


The following characters appears in the episode "Self Help".

Palmer Children

Cold Storage Webisodes

Siggards Family

Rosslynn, VA

Deleted Scenes


  2. Frances Cobb, IMDB
  3. Interview with Frances Cobb
Frances Cobb
L. Stephanie Ray

External links

Unnamed or Unseen TV Characters
King County DianeLindaTomFredCindyJudithKingsleyDaniels
KellySarahTyrellSheilaMaryanneHollyMother 1Mother 2Criminal 1Criminal 2Criminal 3
Atlanta Camp Survivor
Nursing Home AbuelaCarlito
Greene Family Farm LaceyDuncanMr. FischerMrs. Fischer
Military Personnel Division SoldierGuardsman 6Guardsman 2Guardsman 4Guardsman 3Guardsman 5Guardsman 1
Mexican Family FatherMotherSonBaby
Prison Newcomers TeenagerNewcomerWomanSon
Martinez's Camp Resident 1Resident 2Resident 3
Terminus ChuckCynthiaKayleeBroadcasting WomanResident 1GuardCrazed ManResident 2Butcher 2Butcher 1
Abraham's Group WarrenRexJosiahDirkStephanieJosephineRogerPam
Shirewilt Estates Brother
Alexandria Safe-Zone FatherResident 1BillAndyDonnaMotherDavidsonRosemaryResident 4SonDaughterResident 3Resident 2PascalTed
The Wolves Wolf 6Wolf 1Wolf 4Wolf 3Wolf 7Wolf 2Wolf 5
Hilltop Colony Resident 1Ms. MaitlinMarshaTimRory
The Kingdom SonDaughterInfantFatherResident 2Resident 1
Oceanside Resident 1Resident 2IrisEvelyn
CRM Pilot
Animals DogPigletsHorse