The actress, who started in season one as a recurring player before being promoted to regular a year later, most recently stepped in to save Rick and company from being served for lunch at Terminus.
And that's just the latest triumph for the character, who has already outlived her comic book counterpart. So is Carol slowly becoming the new Andrea in AMC's zombie drama?
"Carol is her own unique character; it would be a disservice to Melissa McBride to say she's evolved into the Carol from comics," says executive producer and comics creator Robert Kirkman.
"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 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."
And it was that skill that helped save Rick (Andrew Lincoln), Daryl (Norman Reedus), Bob (Larry Gilliard Jr.) and Glenn (Steven Yeun) from having their throats slashed at Terminus when Carol triggered an explosion that ultimately reunited the beleaguered former sheriff with his daughter, among others.
As for where she goes from here now that the entire group is back together, that still remains to be seen. But one thing is for sure: Carol has truly become a force to be reckoned with and a valuable asset to Rick.
"A lot of people are saying she's moved into this leadership position and I can totally see that in the future for her," Gimple says. "But right now she's got this incredible and difficult message from the universe about power and responsibility.
She's just starting her journey toward leadership; if there is one, she has a lot to get over now. I'm not saying she's going to walk around tortured, but the events of episode 414 [with Lizzie and Mika] are an incredible thing for her. The effects of that and how that changes her will be felt — and for Tyreese as well."
The Walking Dead airs on Sundays at 9 p.m. on AMC. Stay tuned to THR's The Live Feed for complete coverage.