The sixth season of The Walking Dead, an American post-apocalyptic horror television series on AMC, premiered on October 11, 2015, and concluded on April 3, 2016, consisting of 16 episodes. Developed for television by Frank Darabont, the series is based on the eponymous series of comic books by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard. The executive producers are Kirkman, David Alpert, Scott M. Gimple, Greg Nicotero, Tom Luse, and Gale Anne Hurd, with Gimple as showrunner for the third consecutive season. The sixth season received positive reviews by critics. It was nominated for multiple awards and won three, including Best Horror Television Series, at the 42nd Saturn Awards.

This season adapts material from issues #78–100 of the comic book series and introduces notable comic characters, including Heath (Corey Hawkins), Dr. Denise Cloyd (Merritt Wever), Dwight (Austin Amelio), Paul "Jesus" Rovia (Tom Payne), Gregory (Xander Berkeley) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). Following Pete's death, the season continues the story of Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and his group of survivors, who must take a step back from the violence they've come to embrace, as multiple threats lead them to adopt a mindset of hardness.

The first half of the season focuses on the group, still having trouble assimilating in the Alexandria Safe-Zone, leading the community through a series of crises, including luring the threat of a massive herd of walkers away from a nearby quarry, an attack by dangerous scavengers known as the Wolves and the invasion of a gargantuan swarm of walkers inside Alexandria. The second half of the season focuses on the group's discovery of a new survivor community—The Hilltop—who they become allies with, and their becoming adversaries of a vast organization of hostile survivors known as the Saviors.

Cast

Main cast The sixth season features eighteen series regulars overall, with ten actors receiving opening credits billing, while eight others are credited as "Also starring". Sonequa Martin-Green and Lennie James were added in the opening sequence after previously being credited as "Also starring" in previous seasons. Steven Yeun, who plays Glenn Rhee, was removed from the opening credits after "Thank You" and returns in "Heads Up". Alexandra Breckenridge, Ross Marquand, Austin Nichols and Tovah Feldshuh are credited as "Also starring" after being promoted from recurring status.

Starring Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes, the series' protagonist, who struggles to balance his brutality and his humanity, and create a stable life for his two children. Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon, the group's primary hunter and a recruiter for Alexandria. Steven Yeun as Glenn Rhee, Maggie's courageous and supportive husband, and one of the original members of the group, known for his resourcefulness and strategic mind. Lauren Cohan as Maggie Greene, Glenn's strong-willed and determined wife, who is now the last surviving member of her family after the deaths of her father, Hershel, and sister, Beth. Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes, Rick's teenage son, who struggles with growing up in a post-apocalyptic world. Danai Gurira as Michonne, a fearless, katana-wielding warrior, who lost her family. Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier, a survivor of domestic abuse, who, following her daughter's death, becomes an empowered, ruthlessly pragmatic survivor. Michael Cudlitz as Sgt. Abraham Ford, a former military sergeant and boyfriend of Rosita, who has some interest in Sasha. Lennie James as Morgan Jones, the first survivor Rick encountered in season one, who has finally come to peace with the world around him. Sonequa Martin-Green as Sasha Williams, a former firefighter, who suffered from PTSD after the loss of her brother, Tyreese, and boyfriend, Bob.

Also starring Josh McDermitt as Eugene Porter, a survivor rescued by Abraham and posed as a scientist, who could cure the walker virus. Christian Serratos as Rosita Espinosa, a pragmatic optimist, who is protective of those around her and girlfriend of Abraham. Alanna Masterson as Tara Chambler, a former ally of The Governor and the only surviving member of her family. Seth Gilliam as Gabriel Stokes, a priest, who lived alone in his church at the beginning of the outbreak and now seeks to redeem himself for his actions in the previous season. Alexandra Breckenridge as Jessie Anderson, an Alexandria resident, who spent years living with an abusive husband, Pete. Ross Marquand as Aaron, an Alexandrian recruiter, who brought Rick's group to Alexandria. Austin Nichols as Spencer Monroe, Deanna's only living son and a guard of Alexandria. Tovah Feldshuh as Deanna Monroe, a former Congresswoman and the leader of Alexandria, who recently lost her husband and her son, and turns to Rick to help guide the community.

Supporting cast

Alexandria Safe-Zone Merritt Wever as Dr. Denise Cloyd, a doctor stationed in Alexandria and Tara's love interest. Corey Hawkins as Heath, a supply runner in Alexandria. Jason Douglas as Tobin, the foreman of Alexandria's construction crew. Austin Abrams as Ron Anderson, Jessie's oldest son, who resents Rick for the execution of his abusive father. Major Dodson as Sam Anderson, Jessie's younger son, who forms an attachment with Carol. Katelyn Nacon as Enid, a teenager, who recently moved to Alexandria after surviving outside in the apocalypse for several months after her parents died and has formed a bond with Carl. Ann Mahoney as Olivia, an Alexandria resident, who is in charge of the community's food and armory. Kenric Green as Scott, a supply runner in Alexandria. Beth Keener as Annie, a supply runner in Alexandria. Justin Miles as Barnes, a hot-headed survivor from Alexandria who does not trust Rick. Ted Huckabee as Bruce, a member of Alexandria's construction crew. Jay Huguley as David, a resident of Alexandria, who volunteers for Rick's walker diversion plan. Dahlia Legault as Francine, a member of Alexandria's construction crew. Michael Traynor as Nicholas, originally a conniving, arrogant, and cowardly Alexandrian resident, who later tries to redeem himself for his past actions. Jordan Woods-Robinson as Eric Raleigh, Aaron's boyfriend and his former recruiting partner. Ethan Embry as Carter, a resident of Alexandria, who questions Rick's judgement. Mandi Christine Kerr as Barbara, resident of Alexandria. Susie Spear Purcell as Shelly Neudermeyer, a resident of Alexandria obsessed with acquiring a pasta machine. Tiffany Morgan as Erin, a resident of Alexandria and friend of Carol.

The Hilltop Tom Payne as Paul "Jesus" Rovia, a member and scout for the Hilltop. Xander Berkeley as Gregory, the arrogant leader of the Hilltop. R. Keith Harris as Dr. Harlan Carson, a doctor at the Hilltop. James Chen as Kal, a guard of the Hilltop. Peter Zimmerman as Eduardo, a guard of the Hilltop. Karen Ceesay as Bertie, a resident of the Hilltop. Jeremy Palko as Andy, a resident at the Hilltop. Brett Gentile as Freddie, a resident of the Hilltop. Kimberly Leemans as Crystal, a resident at the Hilltop. Justin Kucsulain as Ethan, a resident at the Hilltop, whose brother was captured by Negan.

The Saviors Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan, the mysterious leader of a group called the Saviors that he rules in tyranny and the unseen primary antagonist of the second half of the season. Steven Ogg as Simon, a member of the Saviors and Negan's right-hand . Austin Amelio as Dwight, a member of the Saviors, who kidnaps Daryl and forms a violent hostile rivalry with him. He is initially known as "D" to Daryl. Christine Evangelista as Sherry, a former babysitter and Dwight's wife. Liz E. Morgan as Tina, Sherry's diabetic sister. Matt Lowe as Cam, a member of the Saviors searching for Dwight, Sherry, and Tina. Alicia Witt as Paula, a member of Negan's group, lieutenant for the Saviors. A formerly submissive woman, who lost her family and became an unrepentant killer, she is a counterpart to Carol. Jeananne Goossen as Michelle, a member of Paula's group and counterpart to Maggie. Jill Jane Clements as Molly, an elderly member of Paula's group. Rus Blackwell as Donnie, an abusive member of Paula's group. Jimmy Gonzales as Primo, a Savior captured by Rick's group. Christopher Berry as a lieutenant member of a motorcycle gang of the Saviors. While the character is not specifically named, Berry personally named him Bud. Rich Ceraulo as Jiro, a member of Roman's group and lieutenant savior patrol. Stuart Greer as Roman, a Savior, who hunts Carol.

Miscellaneous Benedict Samuel as the unnamed leader of the Wolves and the primary antagonist of the first half of the season. Showrunner Scott M. Gimple said that "Owen" is one of possible names for the character. Jesse C. Boyd as Nick, the second-in-command of the Wolves. John Carroll Lynch as Eastman, a survivor, who rehabilitates Morgan and teaches him aikido. Daniel Newman as Daniel, one of Ezekiel's top soldiers, maintains a brief and hostile encounter with Rick.

Production On October 7, 2014, AMC renewed The Walking Dead for a sixth season. Scott M. Gimple said that the sixth season would continue to remix material from the comic and explained that there would be a flashback backstory to some of the characters: "There are other people that we're going to see throughout the season from the comics, and I'm excited for people to see it, but I don't want to tell them now. I think a few minor remixes, but some direct stuff from the comic as well, as far as these characters go.

I think there's a really cool aspect to the first half of the season that serves almost as a prequel to some direct comic stuff in the second half of the season. I think there's a way that Robert did some of the story that we're reaching that had a real past to it, where people are referring to some things in the past in the comic. And we're able to portray some of that backstory in some ways that you didn't get to see in the comic."

Filming Filming for the season began in Senoia, Georgia, in early May 2015 and concluded on November 17, 2015. The season contains three extended episodes, airing in expanded 90-minute time slots, the season premiere, the fourth episode and the season finale.

Casting Three new actors were cast to portray new characters in the sixth season, including Corey Hawkins as Heath, a prominent and long running comic book character who is a supply runner and loyal friend to Glenn Rhee. Merritt Wever joined the cast in the role of comic book character Dr. Denise Cloyd, while Ethan Embry also joined the cast. In September 2015, Xander Berkeley was announced in an unknown recurring role that would debut during the second half of the season, and Berkeley has an option for series regular for the seventh season. In January 2016, Berkeley's role was confirmed to be Gregory, a character from the comics. Tom Payne joins the cast as Hilltop recruiter, Paul Monroe. On November 10, 2015, it was announced that Jeffrey Dean Morgan had been cast as Negan.

Alanna Masterson who portrays Tara Chambler took maternity leave from the season in the episode "Not Tomorrow Yet" as she was nine months pregnant during the time of filming the episode. She is absent from the final four episodes, and it is explained through her character going on a two-week supply run.

Episodes

Reception

Critical response