The Walking Dead's iconic villains have been one of the show's biggest selling points, but the franchise has been lacking a central antagonist for years, leaving it in need of a replacement. Despite the likes of Negan, The Governor, and Alpha all shining at various points throughout the original series, The Walking Dead headed into season 11 without a main villain, and it's never really found one since. The Ones Who Live finally revealed the CRM who had been built up through a spinoff show, but despite the group's size and strength, they were defeated by Rick and Michonne.
Although the faction still exists in the zombie universe, they have been liberated and turned into a more peaceful military operation, indicating they won't become the franchise's overarching antagonists as many expected. Despite the CRM's underwhelming run, Daryl Dixon appeared to address the villain problem by introducing Pouvoir, who only got stronger in season 2. Unfortunately, Genet's Walking Dead death meant a replacement leader was needed for the group, and while Sabine stepped up and took charge, the spinoff's decision to kill off such a crucial character continued to create a mystery about who the next main threat would be.
Fear The Walking Dead Proved There Are Several Threats On The West Coast
While most of the franchise's American villains have stemmed from the eastern side of the country, Fear The Walking Dead's first few seasons focused on the West Coast, which suggested there were plenty of potential threats. Most of the show's biggest enemies don't appear until the spinoff starts moving further east, but that only proves that viewers don't really know what sort of dangers lie in the western states. As a result, it is highly likely that some powerful groups have been formed, and many of them will inevitably be hostile towards the main characters.
Considering the Civic Republic was able to build such a populated community in Pennsylvania, there is no reason states like Washington or California can't have large settlements either. Even if there isn't a threat like the CRM in the West, there could still be menacing villains out there who will perhaps make their presence known to the central survivors. With The Walking Dead continuing to expand its universe by traversing Europe, exploring more of America isn't out of the question, meaning it could lead to interesting new villains taking center stage.
7 The United Kingdom's Leaders
The UK May Have Adopted Some Ruthless Tactics To Survive The Outbreak
Daryl Dixon season 2 contained plenty of action and drama, but one of the biggest takeaways from the finale was that the United Kingdom seemingly survived the zombie outbreak. Despite season 3's trailer showing some mossy environments and run-down areas, one character alluded to the UK being in fairly decent condition in the spinoff's second season. Assuming the country does still have a healthy population, it's possible some extreme measures were put in place in order for the island to keep on top of the apocalypse.
Therefore, Daryl and Carol might arrive in a relatively stable UK, but they may not be embraced by the locals. Instead, some ruthless leaders could have been put in charge to keep the country safe, and they're unlikely to be friendly. They may be responsible for Daryl and Carol ending up in Spain, opting to exile them rather than kill them. It's also possible the UK adopted a similar plan to the CRM and is taking resources from other places, this time on a more global scale, resulting in the franchise's main survivors having to fight them off.
6 CRM Loyalists
The CRM Will Likely Have Soldiers Committed To The Faction's Original Goal
Despite the CRM's liberation in The Ones Who Live's finale, there is no guarantee the faction's evil side is gone for good. Major General Beale and Pearl Thorne's deaths may indicate that the group's inhumane message died with them, but the CRM has spies all over the world, meaning there are undoubtedly still some people loyal to the original goal. Given how quickly Thorne was won over despite resenting the CRM for a long time, there are likely several other soldiers out there who still want to see an elite community capable of surviving the apocalypse.
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Just because the Civic Republic now has oversight over the military unit doesn't mean that all loyalists are gone, and while they may have to be more discrete than ever, the faction will still contain several dangerous fighters. The fact that they are spread across the globe makes them even more dangerous, as it's impossible to know for sure who is still committed to Beale's vision. Although the CRM's defeat was disappointing, the group could be more entertaining than ever by becoming some shadow organization working in secret, and they might still evolve into the franchise's main villains.
5 Designation 2
The Mysterious Villain Group Could Become A Problem For The Commonwealth
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Designation 2 has been a relatively hot topic for Walking Dead viewers ever since season 11, as fans still don't really know who or what this group is. During one of the show's final episodes, Connie was being transferred to a place called Designation 2, a community where Commonwealth outlaws are exiled and never seen again. Although the main survivors managed to save Connie, they never discovered the whereabouts of this group, meaning Designation 2's connection to the Commonwealth and true intentions remain a high-profile secret.
Thankfully, the group's unresolved storyline makes them prime candidates to show up in a future project and cement themselves as the franchise's new main villains. Lance Horsnby's death alongside Pamela Milton being demoted means that Designation 2 won't have the same relationship with the Commonwealth, and they may not be getting the resources they need to survive. In response, these mysterious villains might opt to attack the main survivors and set up an intriguing war that can finally explain their agenda while making them one of The Walking Dead's biggest threats in years.
4 The Dama
Dead City's Main Villain Could Set Her Sights Beyond New York
The Croat may have been the lead antagonist throughout most of Dead City, but The Dama was revealed to be the one pulling the strings, and her influence could expand beyond New York. Her goal in the spinoff seems to be cementing control over Manhattan by recruiting Negan, but once she achieves this mission, her power could spiral toward other areas. Given she had enough resources to kidnap Hershel and put her plan into place, it's clear The Dama is a cunning villain who has solid ideas and knows how to get what she wants.
Managing to reduce someone as powerful and unhinged as The Croat to a sidekick makes it clear her potential as an antagonist has still not reached its ceiling, indicating a run as the franchise's main threat is still possible. The fact that The Dama wanted Negan in Dead City may hint at her not being able to do everything on her own, but knowing she needs someone charismatic and influential like Negan on board to truly seize power is a sign that she is competent and should be feared. Therefore, the spinoff could elevate her to lead villain status.
3 Negan (Again)
The Walking Dead's Biggest Villain May Return To His Evil Past
As exciting as it would be to have a new villain like The Dama take over as The Walking Dead's lead antagonist, having Negan return to his reign of terror is just as compelling. He remains one of the best villains the franchise has ever had, and while it would be sad to see him go back on his redemption arc, it's undeniable that evil Negan is a big draw for the zombie universe. His charm and charisma mixed with a menacing aura makes it hard not to be engaged whenever Jeffrey Dean Morgan is on the screen.
Whether he simply embraces the position given to him by The Dama and The Croat or goes one step further by completely taking over New York, Dead City has teased Negan's villainous return and it would be a huge deal. It's highly possible season 2's trailer is a red herring and that Negan is simply pretending to revert to his former personality. However, if he has truly embraced his dark side once again, there is no way back for the former antagonist, suggesting Negan could become even more brutal and destructive than ever before.
2 The Remnants Of The Pouvoir/Union Alliance
Pouvoir & The Union Still Have Healthy Control Over France
Pouvoir and The Union teamed up in Daryl Dixon season 2 after Genet was killed, creating a seemingly stronger front. While The Union appeared to be one of the biggest resistance groups against France's dominant faction, they eventually formed an alliance with Pouvoir while trying to capture Laurent. Their mission ended with both Losang and Jacinta dead by the end of the finale, but despite the antagonists' defeat, the two groups still seem to be together and are arguably more powerful than ever without proper resistance to defy them.
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Assuming the joint faction are able to convince their followers to move on from the dream of finding a cure, their rule over France could extend to neighboring countries, and potentially overseas. Knowing Daryl and Laurent will have gone back to America, the group may travel there in an attempt to get revenge, or if they still want Laurent deep down. Either way, the Pouvoir and Union alliance has enough of a personal connection to be interesting and their firepower is also impressive, meaning they have all the tools necessary to become The Walking Dead's next big threat.
1 Daryl Dixon Season 3's Main Villain
Daryl's Spinoff Offers The Perfect Opportunity To Introduce The Franchise's Biggest Threat Yet
Daryl Dixon's move to Spain opens up the possibility of a new enemy, giving the spinoff the perfect chance to introduce one of The Walking Dead's biggest villains yet. Without knowing who Daryl Dixon season 3's main antagonist is or what their intentions are, it's hard to be fully convinced about them becoming the franchise's next foe. On the other hand, the blank slate is just what the series needs to create an unfamiliar threat worthy of crossing over into America with the main survivors, and it would fill the void currently left by the CRM and Genet.
Rather than trying to revive or elevate one of the already existing enemies, a fresh face would offer an entirely new storyline. It would mean outside Daryl and Carol, none of the central survivors would know what they'll be up against, adding an extra layer to the inevitable reunion at the Commonwealth. While it'll be hard to establish a game-changing antagonist who feels truly unique, Daryl Dixon doesn't have to rush this process, and if done right, season 3's villain could become the sort of threat that The Walking Dead is desperate for.
