Over its decade-long run and spawning numerous spin-offs, The Walking Dead has secured its place as one of the most successful TV series. Adapted from the comic book by Frank Darabont, the post-apocalyptic horror show delves into the harrowing struggles of survival in the midst of a zombie apocalypse.
As the name and the concept of the show suggest, it witnessed the demise of several characters throughout its 11-season journey. These deaths are often portrayed in the most heart-wrenching and brutal manner imaginable, leaving fans devastated.
However, when the decision was made to kill off Merritt Wever’s character, the showrunners were unprepared for the immense backlash that followed from the LGBTQ community. Even the actress herself was taken aback by the audience’s reaction.
How The Walking Dead Got Caught in an LGBTQ Uproar?
Introduced by Frank Darabont in 2010, Season 6 of The Walking Dead introduced Merritt Wever as Dr. Denise Cloyd, a resident of Alexandria Safe Zone who later takes over as doctor after Peter Anderson’s execution. She is depicted as an anxious character.
She gets help from Tara who encourages and uplifts her, leading to a romantic relationship between the two. However, mid-way through Season 6, Denise meets a tragic end after Dwight accidentally shoots her in the eye with a crossbow bolt in his attempt to kill Daryl.
The unexpected death sparked significant uproar, not because Denise was a particularly beloved character or the disparities from comics, but because it contributed to the prevalent trend of TV shows killing off LGBTQ characters at the time.
The episode, Twice as Far, which featured Denise’s demise, triggered a significant backlash and accusations from the community of perpetuating the “bury your gays” trope, which they argued had become widespread in mainstream television in 2016.
“No, thank you”: HBO Shot itself in the Foot With a Stupid Condition That Cost Them The Walking Dead
Multiple shows like Orange is the New Black, The 100, The Vampire Diaries, Blindspot, House of Cards, and Pretty Little Liars among others, faced criticism for the frequent killing off of LGBTQ characters and viewers accused the showrunners of conveniently disposing of LGBTQ characters from their series.
Merritt Wever Was Surprised by the Audience’s Reaction
Best known for the medical comedy-drama Nurse Jackie, the Emmy-winning actress Merritt Wever opened up about her experience on The Walking Dead. She shared that she was aware of her limited tenure on the show, as showrunner Scott M. Gimple only wanted Denise Cloyd for a single season.
“I knew it was coming,” she told The Daily Beast before adding, “I knew that Scott only wanted [Denise] for one season.” She also shared that she found out about Denise’s fate a few weeks ago when they filmed it.
“No, thank you”: HBO Shot itself in the Foot With a Stupid Condition That Cost Them The Walking Dead
During her conversation, Wever also reflected on whether her character’s death contributed to a prevalent trope at the time. The Godless actress shared that she was surprised by the reaction to Denise’s death, admitting, “I hadn’t thought about it that way.”
However, she also acknowledged the disappointment felt by viewers who identified with the character’s representation. “I understand the sentiment very well,” she said before adding, “From my end, it didn’t feel like that’s what was happening though. But I certainly understand the concern in the wider culture.”
Describing her time on the show as “brief but vibrant,” Wever confessed that she couldn’t enjoy watching The Walking Dead anymore, as she had gained insight into its inner workings.
The Walking Dead is available to stream on Netflix.
