The Governor (The Walking Dead)

The Governor
The Walking Dead character
The Governor, as portrayed by David Morrissey in the television series (left) and in the comic book series (right)
First appearance	Comic: "Issue #27" (2006) Literature: Rise of the Governor (2011) Television: "Walk with Me" (2012)
Last appearance	Comic: "Issue #72" (2010) Literature: The Fall of the Governor (2014) Television: "A New Deal" (2022)
Created by	Robert Kirkman Charlie Adlard Cliff Rathburn
Adapted by	Glen Mazzara Evan Reilly (The Walking Dead)
Portrayed by	David Morrissey
In-universe information
Occupation	Leader of Woodbury, Georgia Comic and Novels: Failed Music Store Entrepreneur Television: Middle-Management Employee Leader and Supply Runner for the River Camp
Family	Penny Blake (niece in novels, daughter in TV series) Comic and Novels: Ed Blake (father) Rose Blake (mother) Bud Blake (uncle) Nina Blake (sister-in-law) Philip Blake (brother)
Spouse	Comic and Novels: Jocelyn Blake Television: Mrs. Blake
Significant others	Television: Rowan Andrea Harrison Lilly Chambler

The Governor (real name in the novel and comic book: Brian Blake, alias Philip Blake; in the TV series: Philip Blake, alias Brian Heriot) is a fictional character and one of the main antagonists from The Walking Dead comic book and television series. On television, he was portrayed by David Morrissey. Created by Robert Kirkman and artists Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn, the character made his comics debut in The Walking Dead #27 in April 2006 and his television debut in season 3. In both series, the Governor is the ruthless, charismatic leader of the town of Woodbury, Georgia, who comes into conflict with protagonist Rick Grimes and is responsible for the deaths of several primary characters. The Governor's origins are explored in the novel The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor, written by Kirkman and Jay Bonansinga.

In the television series, the Governor's disturbing motives are reflected in his authoritarian ways in dealing with threats to his community, primarily by executing most large groups and only accepting lone survivors into his community. His dark nature escalates when he comes into conflict with Rick Grimes' group, who are occupying the nearby prison. The Governor vows to eliminate the prison group, and in that pursuit, he leaves several key characters dead both in Rick's group and his own. The Governor has a romantic relationship with Andrea, who unsuccessfully seeks to broker a truce between the two groups. In season 4, the Governor attempts to redeem himself upon meeting a new family, to whom he introduces himself as Brian Heriot. However, he commits several brutal acts to ensure the family's survival. This leads to more characters' deaths and forces Rick and his group to abandon the prison.

In 2009, the Governor was ranked as IGN's 86th-greatest comic book villain of all time^[1] and was ranked #28 on TV Guide's list of 'The 60 Nastiest Villains of All Time'. For his performance as the Governor, Morrissey was nominated for Best Supporting Actor at the 39th Saturn Awards.