"The Walking Dead" showrunner Robert Kirkman recently revealed that actor Norman Reedus inspired them to create his character Daryl Dixon.
In an interview with Vulture, Kirkman revealed that Reedus originally auditioned for the role of Merle. However, it was already given to Michael Roker at that time.
With this, Kirkman and his team were so impressed with Reedus that they decided to create a character for him. This is why fans of the comic book series would know that there's no Daryl in the original story.
"In the first season, he was very much like Merle. He was so much more of an antagonist. He wasn't necessarily a good part of the group. He was a troublemaker," he revealed.
Kirkman went as far as completely crediting Reedus not only for the success of his character but also for the success of the hit AMC series.
"I would have to credit Norman Reedus a great deal for how his character developed just because it was the first time in the show, in real time, watching the actor read the lines the way they did, seeing the choices that they made inform what went into who that character was," he said.
Meanwhile, fans of "The Walking Dead" couldn't help but support Kirkman's appreciation for Reedus and Daryl.
@Stephanie Holiday wrote on Design & Trend, "I've loved the character Daryl ever since he cracked me up by saying to Dale, 'Why don't you take that stupid hat and go back on Golden Pond!'
Another fan @Swizzle added, "The emotion he brings to the character is real and raw and so beautiful."
@Vanessa Kintopp wrote, "Well, Norman showed what a great actor he is. He took a secondary character and made him one of the most important on the show."
"The Walking Dead" Season 6 airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on AMC.