Melissa McBride

Melissa Suzanne McBride (born May 23, 1965)[1] is an American actress. She made her acting debut in 1993, and went onto appear in Walker, Texas Ranger (1997) and Dawson's Creek (1998). In 2007, she also starred in the box office film The Mist (2007). Her breakout role was Carol Peletier on the AMC series The Walking Dead (2010–2022), and later the series' spinoff The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (2023–present). She has garnered critical acclaim and received multiple awards and nominations for her role on the show.[2] Originally cast in a minor role, McBride's role expanded over time to a main cast member and as of 2020, she is the second billed cast member in the opening credits of the show, and one of only two cast members to appear in every season (the other being Norman Reedus).

Melissa McBride
McBride at the 2019 San Diego Comic-Con
Born
Melissa Suzanne McBride

(1965-05-23) May 23, 1965
Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
OccupationActress
Years active1991–present

Early life

McBride was born in Lexington, Kentucky, to parents John Leslie McBride and Suzanne Lillian (née Sagley).[3][4] Her father owned his own business, and her mother studied at the historic Pasadena Playhouse.[5] She had three siblings: John Michael, Neil Allen,[6] and Melanie Suzanne.[7]

Career

McBride began her acting career in 1991, appearing in several television commercials for clients such as Rooms To Go; she was also a spokeswoman for Ford.[8][9] She made her series television debut in a 1993 episode of ABC legal drama series Matlock,[9] and later guest-starred in several other television drama series, including In the Heat of the Night; American Gothic; Profiler; Walker, Texas Ranger; and Dawson's Creek. In the last, she played Nina – a film buff who charms Dawson after his breakup with Jen – in the Season 1 episode "Road Trip" (1998) – and in 2003 returned to the series finale playing a different character.[10]

In the 1990s, McBride had supporting roles in several made-for-television movies, such as Her Deadly Rival (1995) opposite Annie Potts and Harry Hamlin, Close to Danger (1997) with Rob Estes, Any Place But Home (1997), and Pirates of Silicon Valley (1999). In 1996, she appeared on the CBS miniseries A Season in Purgatory, based on Dominick Dunne's eponymous 1993 novel. From 2000 to 2010, she worked as a film and commercial casting director in Atlanta, Georgia[11] and starred in several short films. In 2007, director Frank Darabont cast McBride as the "woman with the kids at home" in the ensemble-cast science-fiction horror film The Mist, alongside Thomas Jane, Laurie Holden, and Marcia Gay Harden.[5][9] McBride was in contention for a bigger role in the film but did not want to take a significant amount of time away from her job as a casting director.[8] The following year, she appeared in the Lifetime television movie Living Proof.

In 1996, McBride acted alongside both Martin Sheen and Ramon Estevez in the music video for country music group Diamond Rio's single It's All In Your Head.

The Walking Dead
McBride at the Saturn Awards in 2014

McBride was cast as Carol Peletier in the AMC television drama series The Walking Dead – her biggest role to date.[12] Peletier begins as a mid-forties abused wife and caring mother to preteen Sophia, fighting to survive in a violent post-apocalyptic world populated with flesh-eating zombies and the few surviving humans, some of whom are diabolical and even more dangerous than the zombies themselves. McBride did not audition for the role, which she thought was temporary.[8] She was a recurring cast member in Season 1 and was promoted to series regular for Season 2.[13][14] McBride's name appeared in the opening credits sequence beginning with the first episode of Season 4. Carol was supposed to have been killed off in the episode "Killer Within", but the producers eventually had a change of plans.[15]

As the series progresses, McBride's character develops from being weak and dependent, into a strong, cunning, and loyal warrior. The direction of her character is contrasted between the two media. In the comic series, Carol is much younger and exhibits a neurotic, self-centered, and naive demeanor. Throughout her time in the comics, she grows increasingly unstable to the point of being self-destructive. The television show differs in these regards, as she is shown to be a stern, pragmatic, and compassionate individual who has been gradually building inner strength. Producers of the series, Scott M. Gimple and Robert Kirkman, said in 2014 that "Carol is her own unique character; it would be a disservice to Melissa McBride to say she's evolved into the Carol from the comics. The Carol in the TV show is a wholly original creation that we'll continue to explore on the show to great effect. Everyone in the writers' room loves that character, and we're thrilled with what Melissa has brought to the table. She has definitely become a character that is one to watch, and there's some really exciting stuff ahead for her."[16]

McBride has received critical acclaim for her performance as Carol and won positive reviews from critics during Seasons 3, 4, and 5.[17] Many critics praised McBride's performance in the Season 4 episode centered on her character, "The Grove".[18][19][20] Others singled out Carol's actions in the Season 5 premiere, "No Sanctuary", which earned critical praise and positive fan reception. Despite the praise of some critics[21][22][23] and a fan campaign,[24] McBride did not receive a nomination for the 2014 Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.[25] However, she won the 40th Annual Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television,[26][27] and was nominated for the 2014 Critics' Choice Television Award for Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her performance in Season 4.[28] In March 2015, McBride was nominated for a Fangoria Chainsaw Award for Best Leading Actress in a Television series, for her role as Carol.[29] She once again won the Saturn Award for Best Supporting Actress on Television at the 41st Saturn Awards, for the second year in a row.[30]

McBride was set to reprise her role as Carol in a spin-off series centered on her and Daryl Dixon (played by Norman Reedus), following the conclusion of the 11th and final season of The Walking Dead, which is set to debut in 2023.[31] In April 2022, it was reported that McBride dropped out of the series which was relocated to Europe, with AMC citing that McBride's decision to drop out was because it was "logistically untenable" for her to film in Europe.[32][33]

Personal life

In the mid-1980s, McBride moved to Atlanta, where she still lives.[8]

Filmography

Film
Year Title Role Notes
1995 Mutant Species Tiffany's Mom
2002 The Dangerous Lives of Altar Boys Mrs. Doyle
2006 Nailed! Various characters Short film
2007 The Promise Stacey Johnson Short film
The Mist Woman with Kids at Home
Lost Crossing Sheila Short film
2008 Delgo Miss Sutley / Elder Pearo Voice role
2014 The Reconstruction of William Zero Dr. Ashley Bronson
2016 The Happys Krista

Television
Year Title Role Notes
1993 Matlock Darlene Kellogg Episode: "Matlock's Bad, Bad, Bad Dream"
1994 In the Heat of the Night WPMM Reporter 2 episodes
1995 American Gothic Holly Gallagher Episode: "Dead to the World"
Her Deadly Rival Ellie Television film
1996 Profiler Walker Young Episode: "Insight"
A Season in Purgatory Mary Pat Bradley Television film
1997 Walker, Texas Ranger Dr. Rachel Woods 2 episodes
Close to Danger Natalie Television film
Any Place But Home Brett Television film
1998 Dawson's Creek Nina Episode: "Road Trip"
1999 Nathan Dixon Janine Keach Pilot
Pirates of Silicon Valley Elizabeth Holmes Television film
2003 Dawson's Creek Melanie Episode: "All Good Things..."
2008 Living Proof Sally Television film
2010–2022 The Walking Dead Carol Peletier Recurring (season 1), also starring (seasons 2–3), main cast (season 4–11); 125 episodes
2013 Conan Episode: "It's not the Hotlanta, It's the Humidylanta"
2017 Robot Chicken Episode: "The Robot Chicken Walking Dead Special: Look Who's Walking"
2018 Fear the Walking Dead Special guest star, episode: "What's Your Story?" (season 4)
2019 Ride with Norman Reedus Herself Episode: "Scotland With Melissa McBride"
2021 The Walking Dead: Origins Herself Episode: "Carol's Story"
2023–present The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Carol Peletier Special guest star (season 1), main cast (season 2)

Video games
Year Title Role Notes
2015 The Walking Dead: No Man's Land Carol Peletier Likeness
2020 The Walking Dead: Onslaught Carol Peletier Voice and likeness

Casting director
  • The Last Adam (2006)
  • The Promise (2007)
  • Golden Minutes (2009)
  • This Side Up (2009)
  • The Party (2010)
  • Broken Moment (2010)

Awards and nominations
Year Award Category Work Result Ref
2012 Satellite Awards Best Cast – Television Series The Walking Dead Won [34]
2013 Shorty Awards Best of Social Media Herself Nominated [35]
2014 Critics' Choice Television Award Online Love Award Won [36]
Critics' Choice Television Award Best Supporting Actress in a Drama The Walking Dead Nominated [37]
Saturn Award Best Supporting Actress on Television Won [38]
EWwy Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Nominated [39]
IGN Awards Best TV Hero Nominated [40]
2015 Saturn Award Best Supporting Actress on Television Won [30]
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards Best TV Supporting Actress Nominated [41]
EWwy Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Won [42][43]
2016 Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actress on Television Nominated [44]
Poppy Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Nominated [45][46]
2017 Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actress on a Television Series Nominated [47]
2018 Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actress on a Television Series Nominated [48]
2019 Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actress on a Television Series Nominated [48]
2021 Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actress on a Television Series Nominated [48]
2022 Saturn Awards Best Supporting Actress in a Network or Cable Television Series Nominated [49]

References
  1. "Melissa McBride". Buddy TV. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  2. "Carol Peletier/ Melissa McBride". amc.com. AMC. Archived from the original on December 3, 2019. Retrieved June 2, 2015.
  3. "Birth Record of Melissa Suzanne McBride". MooseRoots. Retrieved October 28, 2016.
  4. "Suzanne Lillian McBride Obituary". Dignity Memorial Obituaries. Retrieved August 7, 2018.
  5. Villarreal, Yvonne (November 4, 2013). ""The Walking Dead" -- Carol on her own". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved April 2, 2015.
  6. "Neil McBride Obituary". Legacy.com. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  7. "In Memory of Melanie Suzanne McBride Sweat". Dignity Memorial Obituaries. Retrieved September 15, 2016.
  8. Ho, Rodney (October 8, 2014). "Atlanta actress Melissa McBride transforms Carol, her 'Walking Dead' character". The Atlanta Journal-Constitution. Archived from the original on May 17, 2018. Retrieved May 17, 2020.
  9. "Melissa McBride". TV Guide. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  10. Lloyd, Sarah Anne (November 6, 2013). "Melissa McBride: 6 Things to Know About the Walking Dead Actress". Wetpaint.com. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  11. Q&A – Melissa McBride (Carol) Archived April 15, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, AMC, March 2011, Retrieved March 20, 2012
  12. Hibbard, James (November 30, 2010). "AMC adds 'Walking Dead' cast". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  13. Ausiello, Michael (April 10, 2012). "Ask Ausiello: Spoilers on HIMYM, Private Practice, Bones, Walking Dead, Parks and Rec and More!". TVLine. Retrieved August 8, 2015.
  14. Ausiello, Michael (March 10, 2013). "Melissa McBride Clears Up Walking Dead Contract Mystery, Declares: 'I Am a Series Regular'". TVLine. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
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  24. Carbone, Gina (May 22, 2014). "Give Melissa McBride an Emmy! The Walking Dead Fans Launch "McEmmy Campaign"". Wetpaint.com. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  25. Ausiello, Michael (July 10, 2014). "Primetime Emmy Nominations 2014: My Snappy Judgements". TVLine. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  26. Johns, Nikara (February 25, 2014). "'Gravity,' 'Desolation of Smaug' lead Saturn Award nominations". Variety. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
  27. "40th Annual Saturn Awards Nominations Include The Conjuring, The Walking Dead". DailyDead.com. February 27, 2014. Retrieved March 23, 2015.
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