Summary
- Alden's character arc on The Walking Dead ends in a tragic yet meaningful way, leaving a lasting impact on the viewers.
- Callan McAuliffe's portrayal of Alden was strong, showcasing the character's growth and relationships throughout seasons 8-11.
- Alden's relationships, especially with Enid and Adam Sutton, added depth to his character and highlighted his caring nature, making his death even more impactful.
Each season of the successful TV series The Walking Dead features compelling characters, and there was no one quite like Alden. Just like the end of Bob Stookey's character arc, Alden's storyline wraps up in a meaningful and moving way. While new characters were introduced regularly on The Walking Dead, Alden still made an impression and felt different from the others.
Callan McAuliffe played Alden, which was his first major TV role. Previously, he appeared in one episode each of Blue Water High and Homeland, along with the 2011 movie I Am Number Four. McAuliffe gave a strong performance as Alden in seasons 8 through 11 of The Walking Dead.
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Does Alden Die On The Walking Dead?
Alden dies on The Walking Dead after being introduced in season 8. Like Carl Grimes's tragic death, Alden's The Walking Dead demise is one of the saddest in the TV series. In episode 9, season 11 called "No Other Way," Maggie Greene (Lauren Cohan) goes to the church and sees that Alden is now a member of the undead. It's an emotional moment, especially since Maggie and Alden have spent so much time helping each other and bonding. The Reapers attack Alden, which is sad since, unlike the villains on The Walking Dead, Alden has helped so many people throughout the apocalypse.
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The Walking Dead Developer |
Frank Darabont |
|---|---|
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Cast Members |
Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Andrew Lincoln, Lauren Cohan, Steven Yeun, Jon Bernthal, Chandler Riggs, Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, Laurie Holden, Sarah Wayne Callies |
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Number Of Seasons |
11 seasons |
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Number Of Episodes |
177 episodes |
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Airdates |
October 31st, 2010-November 20th, 2022 |
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Metacritic Score |
79 |
In an interview with Business Insider, Callan McAuliffe talked about what happened to Alden on The Walking Dead. He talked about his character's injuries and said:
"So, plainly enough, though I was either dead or near enough to dead when the reapers stumbled upon me in the church, but they saw fit to break both my legs and cut my throat because they decided I hadn't been harmed enough."
McAuliffe mentioned the heartbreaking scene when Maggie holds Alden and he passes away on her lap. Since the characters had connected so much, this felt like a fitting way to say goodbye to this character.
Lauren Cohan spoke to Entertainment Weekly about Alden's The Walking Dead death and praised the close relationship between the two characters. Cohan said:
"building Maggie and Alden's friendship during this season was really enjoyable and satisfying. So she sort of saved one brother but lost another. It's what makes the show good, but it sucks."
Alden’s The Walking Dead Character Arc, Explained
Alden is a survivor on The Walking Dead who dates Enid (Katelyn Nacon) and is a Savior for a while. After the violence at the Hilltop Colony, he stays and becomes an important part of it. Thanks to his natural skills and strength, he helps with whatever construction-related jobs are needed. While many fans wonder if Fear The Walking Dead was a solid spin-off, there's no doubt that characters like Alden made the original TV series unique.
One big part of Alden's The Walking Dead character arc is his romance with Enid. In his interview with Business Insider, Callan McAuliffe was asked if there were any plotlines that he wishes he could change. He said:
"My mistake in so far as that goes is probably dating Enid just because, obviously, she was tied to a beloved character that was before my time. I don't know if that was the smartest PR move."
The actor referenced Enid's relationship with Carl Grimes. While Enid and Carl's relationship was a crucial part of The Walking Dead, some fans question whether Enid and Alden should have dated. This might also partly be because while Alden is a good-hearted character, he's not quite as popular as The Walking Dead character Luke. Enid and Alden's relationship feels more significant after Alden's death since it proves that he made an impact on the people around him.
Another significant part of Alden's The Walking Dead character arc is when he begins taking care of Adam Sutton, a baby whose mother is a member of The Whisperers. In "Walk With Us," which is episode 12 of season 2, Alden decides that he will look after Adam. Alden's The Walking Dead character is always sensitive, but this storyline shows his vulnerability. He begins living in The Walking Dead community Alexandria and brings Adam. Since Alden takes such good care of Adam, it's even sadder when Alden dies.
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