The third season features six returning main characters from the previous two seasons. Andrew Lincoln portrays the series' protagonist Rick Grimes, a former deputy sheriff from King County, Georgia, who has established himself as the group's leader. Sarah Wayne Callies portrays Lori Grimes, Rick's wife. Laurie Holden portrays Andrea, a former successful civil rights attorney, who was separated from the group at the end of the second season. Steven Yeun portrays Glenn, a former pizza delivery boy. Chandler Riggs portrays Carl Grimes, Rick and Lori's young son. Norman Reedus portrays Daryl Dixon, a Southern redneck and the group's hunter.
Several recurring cast members appear in the third season. Michael Rooker will return as Merle Dixon, Daryl's racist older brother who had gone missing in the first season. Two new characters from the comic book series will be introduced: David Morrissey as The Governor, a major antagonist in the comic series; and Danai Gurira as Michonne, the hooded figure that saves Andrea in the season two finale.
Recurring cast members expected to return from the second season include: Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier, IronE Singleton as Theodore "T-Dog" Douglas, Scott Wilson as Hershel Greene, a ranch owner whose land the group stayed on before it was overrun by walkers; Lauren Cohan as Maggie Greene, Hershel's eldest daughter and girlfriend of Glenn; and Emily Kinney as Beth Greene, Hershel's youngest daughter.
Two main cast members who do not return are: Jon Bernthal, who played Shane Walsh; and Jeffrey DeMunn as Dale Horvath; both characters were killed in the previous season.
