Summary

Maggie Rhee (Lauren Cohan) and Negan Smith (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) have had one of the most fascinating dynamics in AMC's The Walking Dead franchise. As fans anticipate Season 2 of the pair’s spinoff The Walking Dead: Dead City , a closer look into their tumultuous history can offer insight into the future of their complex relationship.

From an initial, tragic encounter to a reluctant alliance in the walker-infested streets of Manhattan, Maggie and Negan's journey is a testament to The Walking Dead ’s themes of revenge, redemption, and survival. This timeline delves into the pivotal moments that have defined their relationship, from the original series through the conclusion of Dead City Season 1 and beyond.

Maggie Before Negan

Before Negan’s arrival, Maggie Greene was one of The Walking Dead ’s most emotionally rich characters. She was introduced in Season 2 as part of the Greene family, who had been surviving on their secluded farm.

These early seasons shape Maggie’s strength as a leader. She loses her father, Hershel Greene (Scott Wilson), to the Governor (David Morrissey) and experiences constant threats, but Glenn remains her anchor—until Negan enters the picture.

Negan’s Arrival and Glenn’s Death

Negan's entrance, around two years after the initial outbreak, marks one of the most harrowing turning points in Walking Dead history. Despite being a current fan favorite, Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s character was initially so controversial that the original series saw a drop in viewership after his brutal introduction . His arrival also sparked the years-long conflict between the two characters.

Glenn’s death is the catalyst for Maggie’s evolution from hopeful survivor to vengeful leader. Negan’s brutality doesn’t just take her husband—it forces her to adapt, fueling a deep-seated desire for justice. Her resilience in the face of tragedy sets her on a path that ultimately shapes her into a formidable force against Negan. Her growing brutality and fixation on the man who killed her husband cements their rivalry as a central dynamic in the show.

“I’m taking him to Hilltop. I’m gonna get ready to fight.”

Negan's Imprisonment and Shifting Dynamics

When Negan is defeated and imprisoned in Alexandria, the power dynamic between him and Maggie turns upside-down. No longer the all-powerful bat-wielding warlord, Negan is now at her mercy, forcing Maggie to confront her anger and need for revenge.

Negan’s imprisonment marks another massive turning point, this time for Negan’s character, beginning his redemption arc from villain to antihero. Meanwhile, Maggie’s struggle with whether to let go of her anger or act on it continues to shape her journey, ensuring their fates remain intertwined.

Maggie's Return and Negan’s Past

Maggie’s departure from Hilltop signals a temporary escape from Negan’s shadow, but her return forces her to confront everything she left behind. With Alexandria and Hilltop changed, Maggie must navigate a new world in which Negan is no longer the monster in a cage.

While she remains committed to leading and protecting her people, the presence of a supposedly redeemed Negan forces Maggie to confront whether she will move on or let her hatred turn her into a villain.

Unlikely Allies Against the Reapers

In the final season of the original series, Maggie and Negan are forced to work together to combat the Reapers, the ruthless mercenaries threatening her people. Their partnership is fraught with tension, but necessity pushes them to rely on each other in ways neither expected.

The battle against the Reapers in The Walking Dead ’s final season forces Maggie and Negan to look beyond their rift. While Maggie remains wary, Negan’s actions of atonement slowly chip away at her loathing, setting the stage for their complicated future in the Dead City spinoff.

Tied Together Again in The Walking Dead: Dead City

Six years after The Walking Dead series finale, Maggie and Negan are once again forced into an uneasy alliance. With Hershel Jr. kidnapped and held hostage in Manhattan by the Croat, a former high-ranking Savior turned warlord, Maggie seeks Negan's help navigating a dangerous walker-ridden NYC. Their journey through Dead City adds new layers to their ever-evolving relationship while introducing fresh threats.

Dead City Season 1 solidifies Maggie as a ruthless adversary. While the pair have survived together, it's clear that there is still no foundation of trust between them. Maggie’s betrayal in the season finale is an event that could, finally, even the playing field between them and even clear the way for a clean slate.

"Sometimes we don’t get to choose what we have to do."

Season 2 may take a poetic turn, putting Maggie in a position to save Negan , the very man she has sought revenge on for over a decade. Hershel Jr.’s reaction to his mother’s ruthlessness could set him up as Season 2’s moral compass, encouraging Maggie to work toward forgiveness, even if for her own sake. Negan's redemption will be put to the ultimate test as he is forced back into a role that resembles the "old Negan."

Whether or not the tumultuous rivalry between the two reaches a resolution, Season 2 will challenge both characters to confront their pasts while navigating the perils of post-apocalypse New York.