Now it's clear why Negan became a popular (yet most hated) villain in The Walking Dead- here's his entire timeline

Only a few characters in television history have such a brilliant character arc as Negan Smith from The Walking Dead. Introduced as a bloodthirsty villain with a killer smile and a deadly weapon called Lucille, Negan's trajectory from The Walking Dead's most sadistic antagonist to a complex anti-hero made him both one of its most hated figures and later a fan favourite.

Here's a look at Negan Smith's journey through the apocalypse- from his broken beginnings to his current role in The Walking Dead: Dead City and why his story continues to captivate and divide audiences.

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The Walking Dead: Negan Smith's timeline- From a broken husband to a ruthless leader

Negan Smith's story begins not with violence but with heartbreak. Even though he was introduced in Season 6, his background was explored in The Walking Dead Season 10's finale episode titled Here's Negan. Before the outbreak, Negan was a short-tempered gym instructor at a school. After he was fired from his job, and this is when everything went downhill, he started drinking heavily, physically hitting others, and even cheated on his wife, Lucille.

However, things changed when Lucille was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer. He tried his best to procure the medicines, but when he failed to do so, his wife died. Lucille's death stripped away what little humanity he had left. The backstory explored in the finale of Season 10 was the first major attempt to humanize his character. It offered a glimpse into how a grief-stricken man could evolve into a brutal leader, using fear and control as coping mechanisms. After the fall of the civilization, Negan soon became the leader of the Saviors, a militaristic, authoritative faction. He killed the previous leader and assumed total control of the group.

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The Walking Dead: Negan's infamous debut and path to redemption

Negan was introduced as a merciless and violent leader of the Saviors in Season 6. In the Season 7 pilot episode, the viewers came to know that Negan had brutally executed Abraham Ford and Glenn Rhee. This single brutal act shocked the viewers and immediately cemented Negan as the show's most despised villain.

For two full seasons, Negan tormented Rick and the survivors, enforcing his rule under the guise of offering protection. Yet glimpses of his emotional side began to surface when he opened up about his wife, Lucille, to Father Gabriel. He expressed his sorrow over Carl's death, a boy he had come to respect. When Rick's forces were finally on the verge of defeating him, Rick chose to imprison him.

Negan's time in Alexandria's solitary cell became a turning point. He was often visited by Rick's daughter Judith, who slowly began to heal him emotionally. Saving her life during a blizzard was an important point. Eventually, Negan proved his worth by infiltrating the Whisperers, manipulating Alpha, and ultimately killing to protect the communities.

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The Walking Dead: Negan's journey from antihero to ally in Dead City

By The Walking Dead's finale season, Negan had transitioned from a prisoner to an ally. Despite playing a key role in defeating the Reapers and the Commonwealth's oppressive regime, Maggie, Glen's widow, was unable to forgive him. When Negan understood, he walked away from the group.

He reappeared later, where he married Annie and was expecting a child with her. He finally seemed to find peace in the chaos, but it didn't last long. When Maggie's son Hershel was kidnapped by the Savior's former member, the Croat, she sought help from Negan. The two teamed up again in a spinoff, The Walking Dead: Dead City, exploring a collapsed Manhattan overrun by walkers.

In Dead City, Negan is confronted with his violent past, especially due to The Croat and the Dama. By the end of Season 1, he surrenders himself to protect Maggie and rescue Hershel, a move that raises several questions about his motives, whether he is reformed or pretending to be.

Negan Smith's timeline isn't a simple redemption or damnation; is a story of survival, loss, and blurred morality. With Dead City Season 2 set to test him further, Negan's tale is far from over, and to find out whether he ends up as a savior or tyrant, keep watching The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 2 on AMC and AMC+ every Sunday at 9 pm ET.

Also read: What made Negan become a fan favourite The Walking Dead character? Reasons explored

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