Ever wondered what those Walkers are really eating when they feed off flesh in The Walking Dead? Want to know why a SWAT team was once called to the set? Do you know which characters don’t exist in the comics? These Walking Dead facts are so surprising; you’ll feel zombified by the time you reach the end of our list of trivia…
1. The Title Sequence “Decays” Every Season
More of a Walking Dead Easter Egg than a fact, but interesting either way! Not only do Walkers rot over time, but the show’s main logo does too! Compare the show’s opening to the first season and you’ll notice that the main title sequence is getting darker, grimier and more decayed over one season to the next!
2. Walkers Outnumber Humans
Here’s an interesting Walking Dead zombie fact – in the fictional world of the show, Walkers outnumber humans by a shocking count of 5000 to 1. It looks like our favorite gang are going to have to start reproducing and wiping out those Walkers a lot quicker!
3. Daryl Doesn’t Exist in the Comics!
Did you know that fan-favorite character, Daryl Dixon was created specifically for the show? He doesn’t exist in the comic books. Norman Reedus originally auditioned for the role of Merle. Although Michael Rooker got the part instead, the writers decided to keep Norman simply because they were so impressed by his performance. That’s when the birth of Daryl happened.
4. A Theory Claims Rick Dreamt the Whole Thing
There’s a Walking Dead theory that claims Rick Grimes has dreamt all the events in the show. Maybe his wife isn’t dead. Perhaps Negan and the Whisperers don’t even exist! Can you imagine if the upcoming Walking Dead movie ends with Rick waking up from a really bad nightmare? That’s bound to start a riot…
5. You Can Buy Daryl’s Crossbow at Walmart
That’s right! Walmart sells an officially licensed prop replica of Daryl’s crossbow! Heck, we’ve even listed it as one the best Walking Dead items to get your hands on! Remember, it’s only for roleplay – there aren’t any walkers in real-life to kill!
6. A SWAT Team Was Called to the Set
Remember that amazing scene in The Walking Dead when Merle was shooting from a rooftop back in season 1? Believe it or not, nearby citizens called the police thinking it was a real gunman! They had no idea that a TV show was being filmed. The SWAT team soon arrived but thankfully no one was arrested.
7. Michonne Wasn’t Cast Until Later
Ever wondered why Michonne was kept in the shadows and dressed in a dark cape when she stepped onto the scene at the end of season 2? It’s because the actress hadn’t been cast yet!
8. Three Characters Are Actually British
The cast who played Rick, Maggie and The Governor were more than just talented actors. They were great at putting on accents too! Andrew Lincoln, Lauren Cohan and David Morrissey are all British! Who would have known?!
9. Walker Actors go to “Zombie School”
Playing the role of a Walker sure looks fun, doesn’t it? These actors have to go to “zombie school” to learn how to walk and move before being cast as one of the dead. They are told to stay absolutely silent and not blink at all. The executive producer has revealed that the ideal Walker actor should have big eyes, a good bone structure and a long neck. Those croaky Walker sounds are actually added in post-production. Want to ace that Walker way of walking? These Walker actors are told to move as though they are leaving the bar at 2am. Now THAT sounds easy!
10. There Are Separate Eating Areas for the Living and the Dead Backstage
Barriers aren’t only built in the show to protect the living from the dead, they’re also built behind the scenes! There are separate eating areas for the living and the dead backstage! Apparently, the producers of The Walking Dead want the Walkers and humans to distinguish themselves as “humanly” possible, even when they’re not working! Is this a case of discrimination?!
11. Human Guts are Made of Ham
Ever wondered what those Walkers are really eating as they rip through human guts on the show? This may be a high budget TV show, but affordable stuff is used to bring it to life – including Ham soaked in vinegar! They used to smother ham in barbecue sauce in previous seasons but they soon switched up the ingredients because it wiped all the zombie makeup off. The actor who played Dale, however had special treatment because he was such a cherished character in the series. His “body parts” were made of all white meat chicken breasts! Vegetarians – do not apply for a role on The Walking Dead!
12. Chandler Riggs Really Did Eat That Pudding!
Here’s a cool Chandler Riggs fact! Did you think he pretended to eat that 112 ounce can of pudding back in season 4, episode 9? In actual fact, Chandler ate it in real life! He admitted that it was his favorite scene although after finishing it, he “absolutely hated pudding”.
13. Michael Cudlitz Kept Abraham’s Death a Secret
That’s right! Here’s a Walking Dead fact that might impress you! Michael Cudlitz, AKA, the actor who played the wonderful Abraham, was well-aware of his upcoming death on the show long before anyone else. Remember when the season 6 finale kept Negan’s first victim a mystery? Well, Michael apparently knew he would be the first to get eenie-meenie-minie-moed by the villain for up to a year! Damn, is he good at keeping spoilers!
14. Carol was Meant to Die Instead of T-Dog
You know what they say, “If Daryl dies, we riot”. You know what we say? “If Carol dies, we also riot!”. Thank goodness the show didn’t kill our favorite character off back in season three. Apparently T-Dog was never meant to die. Carol was the one to get bitten, but T-Dog was sacrificed instead as he wasn’t a popular character.
15. The Word “Zombie” Is Never Used in The Walking Dead
Ever realized that the word “zombie” is never used in The Walking Dead? Instead, the dead are referred to as “Walkers.” The show’s creators have said they want to refrain from using the word “zombie” to create a world within the series where the characters are thrown into a situation they are not familiar with. They’re still zombies to us…
16. There has been 16 Judiths
Crazy, we know! Over its span of 9 seasons, the show has cast a total of 16 actresses to play the role of Judith. Most memorably, there was baby Judith, toddler Judith and now, there’s an almost-teen Judith. Hopefully TWD sticks to using the great actress we currently have from now on!
17. The Show is Different to The Walking Dead Comics!
The Walking Dead may be based on comic books but the television series doesn’t stay true to them. For instance, in the comic, Merle, Daryl and Sasha don’t even exist! Rick loses his hand, Sophia is adopted by Glenn and Maggie and Andrea hooks up with Rick! Now there’s a world we never imagined!
Read about the other differences between the show and comics in our list!
18. There’s a Breaking Bad Easter Egg!
There’s a Breaking Bad Easter Egg in The Walking Dead! Walter White’s meth makes a brief cameo appearance on the zombie-filled show. In episode 5 of season 1, Heisenberg’s Blue Sky can be seen in Merle Dixon’s drug stash! See our list of more mind-blowing things about Breaking Bad, to be super-surprised!
19. Chandler Riggs’ Stunt Double is a Woman!
Not only is Chandler Riggs’ stunt double a female, but she’s actually a 30+ year-old woman! Now that’s crazy! Who would have thought?! This photo of them on set went viral on Facebook, causing quite the stir among Walking Dead fans…
20. The Cast Has a Last Supper When a Character Dies
The Walking Dead cast have a “Death Dinner” whenever one of the characters dies. “It gives everyone a chance to get properly sauced and say, ‘We’re going to miss the hell out of you,’” Sarah Wayne Callies (AKA Lori Grimes) told The Huffington Post in 2012. That must be a whole lot of dinners to arrange – deaths on The Walking Dead are never-ending!
You may feel stupefied and zombfied after reading these facts about The Walking Dead but we’re sure you’ve gathered up a lot more knowledge about the show than ever before! You can proudly call yourself a Walking Dead genius!
Want to have a laugh? Check out these hilarious Walking Dead jokes – they’ll make you laugh your guts out!
