Eugene Porter

Fictional character who falsely claimed to know the zombie cure.

Dr. Eugene Porter is a fictional character from the comic book series The Walking Dead, portrayed by Josh McDermitt in the television adaptation. He initially claims to be a scientist who knows the cure to the zombie plague, a lie that drives the group's journey to Washington, D.C. Eventually revealed as a high school science teacher, he becomes a key engineer for the Alexandria Safe-Zone.

Quick Facts

Series

The Walking Dead

First

Comic:
"Issue #53" (2008)
Television:
"Inmates" (2014)

Last

Comic:
"Issue #193" (2019)
Television:
"Rest in Peace" (2022)

Portrayed by

Josh McDermitt

Voice

Josh McDermitt (Onslaught)

Partner

Comic:
Stephanie (ex-girlfriend)
Television:
Shira (ex-girlfriend)

Creator

Robert Kirkman; Charlie Adlard

Adapted by

Scott M. Gimple
Matthew Negrete
Channing Powell

Facts from the source article.

Did You Know?

The character was announced in a casting call for Episode 10 in July 2013 under the code-name "Wayne Kasey."
Josh McDermitt's role was confirmed during the show's panel at New York Comic Con 2013.
Noel Murray of Rolling Stone ranked Eugene Porter 12th in a list of 30 best Walking Dead characters.

Appearances

Eugene Porter first turns up at Hershel's farm, which the prison survivors now occupy. He insists he knows the cause of the plague but refuses to share details, stating he will only speak to officials in Washington, D.C. His false claim and his belief that the capital is the only safe place push the group to head there. On the road, he observes zombies to learn about them while staying close to the convoy for safety. After the Hunter incident, his lie falls apart.

The group discovers he was actually a science teacher and that his radio story was just a trick to get to Washington. Though they resent him, he stays with them and ends up in the Alexandria Safe-Zone, living by himself. When Rosita and Abraham split, she moves in with Eugene, and he tries to start a romance. He starts making bullets in a repair shop, but Abraham is killed there right after they patch things up.

During the conflict with Negan, walkers overrun the shop, and Negan captures Eugene and his group. They are interrogated and mistreated but manage to flee with Dwight’s aid, taking a van that holds both Alexandrians and former Saviours. Two years later, Eugene and Rosita have an awkward relationship. He takes on various projects in the community and earns respect.

Rosita is pregnant by someone else, but Eugene promises to raise the child as his own. Eugene, Abraham, and Rosita first meet Tara and Glenn in the episode "Inmates." Eugene presents himself as a scientist with crucial knowledge to end the outbreak, needing an escort to Washington. Tara and Glenn join, and later the group reunites with Maggie, Sasha, and Bob.

Eugene talks Abraham into merging with this group to head to Terminus for supplies and new members, but once they arrive, the Terminus residents take them captive.