Robert Kirkman admitted his admiration for George R.R. Martin's approach to character deaths during a masterclass at Annecy.
The Walking Dead creator said that Martin excels at killing off characters. "He is way better at killing characters than me," Kirkman said, describing his respect for the Game of Thrones author's willingness to eliminate major players.
Kirkman explained that in the early days of developing his zombie series, he was constantly looking to kill off characters—a pattern that could have derailed what became AMC's successful franchise.
Had Kirkman followed his initial instinct, iconic characters like Daryl Dixon might not have survived long enough to anchor their own spin-off series. The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon became a major success for AMC, demonstrating that keeping fan favorites alive can pay off.
Martin's willingness to kill major characters is something Kirkman admires, even though Kirkman himself learned to show restraint. It is a form of creative humility that rarely occurs in Hollywood.
The masterclass moment has generated discussion among fans and industry figures about whose strategy is superior. Kirkman's honesty about learning restraint versus Martin's approach has reignited the question: is it more effective to eliminate characters, or to make their survival matter?
