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Troy stabbed Alicia, left her for dead, but he didn't see her die. (…) He said it because that's what I told him. (…) Troy was in a lot of pain. He wasn't in a forgiving mood, so I told him what he wanted to hear. So give me Tracy, and you go find your daughter.
―Russell revealing to Madison that Alicia may have survived.[src]

Russell is an antagonist and a survivor of the outbreak in AMC's Fear the Walking Dead. He is a member of Troy's Group and the right-hand man of Troy Otto. Following his demise, Russell became the de-facto leader of the group until his death. He served as the secondary antagonist for the second half of Season 8 and the final antagonist of Fear the Walking Dead.

Overview[]

Russell is shown to be a fiercely loyal high-ranking member of Troy's group. He follows out any task given, including tracking down Madison and leading a herd to PADRE. However, Russell is shown to be somewhat caring, as he promised Troy that he would find a home for his daughter Tracy. He also admitted the truth to Madison about Alicia's supposed death and lied to Troy about it because Russell recognized how much pain his friend was in and so told Troy what he wanted to hear.

Pre-Apocalypse[]

Location Unknown[]

Nothing is known about Russell's life before or as the outbreak began.

Post-Apocalypse[]

Season 8[]

"Anton"[]

Waiting inside a tour bus at the Emissary Suites settlement, Russell explains that he and his men are looking for a woman named Madison who they heard was hiding out in the area. However, he refuses to explain what they want with her, and Frank tells Russell that they can't help. Russell reveals that Madison used to be one of PADRE's top Collectors and has been broadcasting how she's trying to rebuild PADRE. While Frank thinks that that sounds like a good thing, Russell insists that it isn't, and that Madison doesn't change. "The people I'm with, the head of this little outfit? He knows her for who she really is." Daniel comes over the radio trying to contact Russell's people, knowing that they were monitoring the channel, but Russell turns off the radio without responding to him. Frank once again insists that Madison isn't here, but Russell is sure that she is which means that this can go one of two ways: they let Russell and his people in and hand Madison over and they walk away, or Daniel will come after Madison and he's not alone and seems to be pretty determined. Russell and his people will fight Daniel if they have to to get to Madison which is a fight that will happen at the hotel if they don't turn Madison over. Strand recalls the people that he killed at the Tower, including Wes and Will and, much to Frank's shock, admits that Madison is at the hotel.

In Klaus' room, Strand finds Madison's bonds cut and his son and old friend both missing. Russell accuses Madison of taking Klaus while Strand reminds his husband that he'd told Frank that Madison had seemed to be dangerous. Strand notices the map is torn off of the brochure for the Wymberley Jones De Renne Georgia Library and realizes that they're going to the library rather than to PADRE. At the dock, they find one of Russell's boats missing and realize that Madison must've stolen the other one. Russell demands Strand and Frank's weapons before they leave, promising to return them once they arrive at their destination. Strand turns over his gun belt, but Daniel calls for Madison again on the radio, and Russell tells him that PADRE will be better off without Madison. Daniel warns Russell that hurting Madison would be a grave mistake, but Russell states that what happens to Madison isn't up to him and things will go a lot better for Madison and Daniel if he backs off. However, it's too late for that as Daniel is approaching with two armed men in a boat of his own. Russell frantically tells Strand and Frank to get in the boat as they can still lose Daniel if they leave now, but Strand recalls Daniel trying to kill him and runs off, followed by Frank. Unwilling to get caught by Daniel, Russell and his men leave on their boat.

Russell and his men surround the two and Strand tries to convince Russell that whatever Madison did, they can work it out. Russell realizes that Strand has no idea how far back this goes, and Madison asks why Russell is doing this as she doesn't know who he or any of the people with him are. However, Russell states that they know who Madison is and rejects Strand's attempts to convince him that Madison is no longer that person, accusing Strand and Madison of being the same, both pretending to be something that they're not, after what Strand had pulled on them earlier. Russell reveals that they want PADRE, that they have been looking for a place like it for a long time and Madison is going to show them where it is. A herd approaches and, as Russell shoots a walker, Strand uses his sword to knock Russell's gun from his hand. Grabbing Russell's gun, Madison flees with Strand. Seeing more walkers approaching, Madison and Strand realize that they're not going to make it to the boat and flee back to the library as more walkers emerge from around the building as well. Strand dispatches two walkers that get in the way with his sword as he and Madison rush inside.

Klaus suddenly contacts his father with the news that the soldiers are now at the hotel and there are more of them who got inside. As the herd closes in on Madison and Strand, Russell and his men enter the library and one of them shoots all of the walkers from behind with a machine gun. As Klaus frantically calls for his father to get back to the hotel, Russell retrieves Strand's sword from where it was stuck and knocks him out with the butt of it, promising to take Strand to his people.

Strand awakens tied to a chair at the hotel and finds his people bound sitting on the floor. Russell threatens Strand with his sword when Strand kicks out at him, stating that this could've all been avoided if Strand had just handed Madison over to them. Russell reminds Madison and Strand that what happens next isn't up to him and decides to let his boss tell them himself. Russell's leader enters and Madison and Strand stare at him in shock as the man drops a duffle bag on the floor. "Hey there, Madison. Been a while. Yeah, see, I'm as surprised as you are. I mean, I knew I'd find you when I heard your radio broadcast but uh ... I didn't think you'd still be keeping the same company from Mexico," greets Troy Otto.

"Iron Tiger"[]

Luciana makes contact with Charlie and Madison tells the girl to come back and that she was right about Nick, and he does deserve better. If Charlie brought Nick all the way back from Texas for Madison, then she should be there when they say goodbye to him. However, Charlie tells Madison that she can't come back. Having finally realized that Charlie was telling the truth about caring about Nick and regretting killing him, Madison forgives the girl, telling Charlie that she was just a kid and doesn't have to make up for what she did to Nick and do what Madison asked her to do. However, Charlie clarifies that she physically can't come back as several members of Troy's Group stand outside of the tanker pointing guns at her. Troy bangs on the door, ordering Charlie to turn off the radio and step out of the truck, and Charlie explains that Troy and his men had found her before Charlie could get to the hotel and that they're not going to let Charlie leave. Daniel furiously slams his hand on the table and Charlie explains that her plan didn't work, that Troy's men were patrolling the road. Troy opens the tanker door and reiterates his order for Charlie to get out. Charlie offers to trade her gas with Troy, but Troy intends to just take it from her. Hearing Madison asking Charlie for her location over the radio, Troy asks why he would trust anyone who is talking to Madison Clark. Troy tells Charlie that they have a lot to talk about and knocks her out.

Luciana disconnects the radio, telling Madison that they can't give away their location, and Daniel states that Madison should've never put that idea in Charlie's head. While Madison insists that she was trying to do the right thing, Daniel asks Madison to do the right thing now by helping him to rescue Charlie. Luciana agrees with Daniel, but Strand worries about Daniel having told them earlier that they would suffer major losses if they got anywhere close to the hotel. Daniel insists that they have to try, and Madison agrees, stating that it looks like they're finally taking the fight to Troy.

At night, Charlie awakens in the hotel bound, barefoot and with broken glass on the floor. Nearby, Troy chops off the left arm of a walker which Russell places into a cage full of similar walkers. Noticing that Charlie is awake, Troy orders Russell to just release the walkers after Troy's finished with Charlie. Charlie tells Troy that she's not scared of him before Troy, much to her surprise, cuts Charlie's hands free so that they can talk on a more equitable level. However, Troy warns Charlie against trying to run, revealing that the last person who did that cut their feet up so badly because of the broken glass on the floor that they only made it half a mile before the dead found them. Charlie questions why Troy is cutting off the arms of walkers, but he just brushes it off as a way of passing the time. Charlie realizes that Troy wants Madison to think that the walkers are Alicia and asks why Troy killed her.

Troy again brushes off Charlie's questions and, noting that it sounds like he's not the only person to have killed a Clark, asks if what Madison had said about Charlie killing Nick was true with the look on Charlie's face confirming it for him. Troy sadly admits that Nick was like a brother to him, and that they were both better suited to this world than the last one, or at least that was what Troy had thought until he had heard about what had happened to Nick. Troy wonders why Madison is trying to protect her, and Charlie tells him that Madison is giving her a second chance. Troy asks whether Charlie really believes that, stating that it's going to get her killed if it does and no one gave Troy and his people a second chance. Troy reveals that he wants to know where PADRE is because they need a safe place to set up shop, somewhere that people like Madison can't take from them. While Troy has the hotel, he was able to take it in an afternoon and Troy needs someplace more secure that nobody can take from him. Charlie realizes that Troy needs someplace that he can take from Madison, but Troy just calls that the icing on the cake.

Charlie insists that she doesn't know where PADRE is, but Troy doesn't believe her and threatens Charlie with his blade. Charlie explains that the Gearheads had made gas for the settlement, but they left tankers at drop points and Charlie has never actually been to PADRE. Refusing to believe Charlie, Troy prepares to release the caged walkers and force Charlie to run with glass in her feet. Charlie finally appears to give in, telling Troy that there's a map in the tanker truck listing all of the drop sites and Troy might be able to figure out where PADRE is from them. Troy orders Russell to send someone to check and make sure that Charlie is telling the truth, when the hotel is suddenly rocked by a massive explosion. Looking outside, a shocked Troy sees a fireball from where the tanker had just exploded nearby. Troy quickly orders his men to secure the compound, get a headcount and find out where everyone is. Troy realizes that Charlie had rigged the tanker to blow on a timer and had wanted the group to bring it inside, but they were careful to park it nearby instead. One of Troy's men reports in that the walls are still intact and they're working on the headcount, but they need to put the fire out before it draws more walkers. Drawing his gun, Troy tells Charlie that she's going to help him find PADRE whether she knows where it is or not.

On the road near the hotel, Madison and the others hear an explosion and pick up radio chatter between Russell and the rest of Troy's men in which Russell expresses concern that the explosion will draw back the walkers that the group had released and the whole tanker had gone up and the fire is spreading fast. Russell orders his men to look for leaking fuel and contain it and Daniel guesses that the tanker must've exploded. Strand tells the others that the hotel is 10 minutes away by foot, but Daniel refuses to drive in as Troy's people will hear them coming and they need to find a way to get in quietly.

Troy calls Madison over the radio, explaining that her tanker had just exploded outside of his hotel, but Madison claims that she doesn't know what he's talking about. Daniel realizes that Charlie had purposefully allowed herself to be captured as a part of her plan and Troy, aiming his gun at Charlie tells Madison that he knows that she sent Charlie to kill him, and she wasn't in the truck when it exploded, much to the relief of Strand, Daniel and Luciana. Troy admits that he was wrong about Madison as he'd thought that Madison would never be able to forgive the girl who had killed Nick, but he figures that Madison must trust Charlie if she had sent Charlie to kill him or maybe Madison had just thought that Charlie would die in the explosion. Madison orders Troy not to hurt Charlie, confirming for him that Madison does care about her. Troy wonders what Nick would think about that, but Madison believes that her son would get it, stating that people change and they can do shitty things and come back from them. Holding his gun to Charlie's head, Troy tells Madison that she'll have to do something that will upset a lot of people if Madison wants Charlie back alive: Troy wants PADRE's location. Strand warns Madison that Troy is going to hit them with everything that he's got if she does it, but Daniel points out that Madison knows that Charlie doesn't deserve this fate. Charlie yells at Madison not to do it and that she knew what she was doing, causing Troy to kick her chair over. Holding the radio near the gasping Charlie, Troy threatens to kill her if Madison doesn't tell him what he wants to know. Daniel furiously swears to strangle Troy with his bare hands and Madison accepts the deal, telling Troy to meet her in front of the hotel.

Madison's group parks near the burning tanker as walkers, drawn by the fire, begin to gather on the hotel grounds. Madison notices that a burned walker is missing an arm too before Strand stabs it in the head, leaving the two confused as to where the armless walkers are coming from. Troy, Russell, and several of his heavily armed men greet the group near the hotel entrance with Troy warning Madison that there are a lot more of them inside and it had better not be a trick. Madison promises that it's not a trick, but Troy doubts her word. Troy promises to hand Charlie over once they get the location of PADRE and has one of his men put Charlie on the radio. Daniel warns Troy that if Charlie has been harmed, he'll make Troy wish that Daniel only took his other eye. Charlie reassures Madison that she's fine, but she again tells Madison not to make the trade for her.

Knowing that Charlie is only in danger because of her, Madison refuses and tells Troy to hand Charlie over and they'll give him the location of PADRE. However, Troy wants the location first and proposes having one of Madison's people take his right-hand man Russell to the location so that he can verify it at which point Troy will release Charlie. Troy tells Madison that he really doesn't care about Charlie, he just wants a safe place to live. Madison questions why Troy cares so much about PADRE, and he claims that Madison took everything from him, and Troy is just returning the favor. Madison wonders if it's about Madison's role in Jeremiah's death, but Troy makes it clear that he doesn't care about his father at all. Troy refuses to clarify his meaning, stating that PADRE is the only thing that matters and Madison orders Strand to escort Russell there. Strand insists that there must be another way to bring Charlie back, but Madison doesn't see another choice. Strand reminds Madison that there are other people to consider such as Frank and Klaus, but Troy promises that he's not interested in the people living there, just the settlement and everyone will have ample time to leave. Strand agrees and he and Russell prepare to turn over their weapons as a gesture of good faith to ensure that they won't try anything.

As Madison radios Charlie that they're getting her out of there, Charlie suddenly stabs the guard holding the radio for her in the neck with a piece of glass that she had picked up when Troy had shoved her to the floor, killing him. Grabbing the man's gun and radio, Charlie enters into a standoff with the other guard in the room, telling Madison that she took out one of Troy's men and she'll take out another. Madison tries to talk Charlie down, but Charlie refuses to let another place that Madison had built fall because of her actions. Madison promises Charlie that this is not on her, and this is not the stadium, reminding the girl that Charlie is only in this position because Madison had set her on this path. Troy tells Charlie that Madison is right and asks why she's taking the fall for Madison. However, Charlie explains that "it's not for her. This place she's building, it's what Alicia wanted. And it's how Nick's death can mean something. On the rafts, when we left the Tower, Victor told me that's what Alicia said to him when she thought she was dying -- make it mean something." Madison insists that they can do it someplace else, but Charlie points out that, since this is about Madison, Troy will just go after the next place that she finds.

Charlie knows that Troy's people won't kill her because they'll lose their leverage otherwise with Daniel pointing out that Troy will never find where PADRE is otherwise. Troy attempts to defuse the situation, telling Charlie that no one's going to shoot anybody and to just put the gun down so that they can work it out. Madison offers Troy a map to PADRE if he lets Charlie go, telling Troy to send Russell to verify it, but just don't hurt Charlie overruling Charlie's objections. However, Charlie knows that Madison won't have to give Troy PADRE if Troy doesn't have anything to trade and puts the gun to her chin, preparing to sacrifice herself to protect PADRE and Nick and Alicia's legacy. Charlie recalls several fond moments with Madison, Nick, Alicia, Daniel and Luciana ending with herself on the beach saying goodbye to Alicia. Ignoring Daniel and Madison's attempts to talk her down, Charlie shoots herself in the head, killing herself much to the shock and horror of her friends. Troy contacts the second guard to see if the shot was the man stopping Charlie, but he confirms Charlie's death instead. A heartbroken Daniel breaks down and has to be dragged away by Hawk and one of his men as he tries to attack Troy in retaliation.

Visibly affected himself by Charlie's actions, Troy promises Madison that he really didn't want things to go down like this, but he can't let her leave with the map. Madison refuses, putting the map away, and Russell interrupts with the news that Tracy's missing. Russell calls a young girl forward, shocking Madison that there's kids with the group. Troy reveals that they wanted PADRE for the same reason as Madison and the others and questions the girl who explains that Tracy had wanted to see the tanker truck as Tracy has never seen a truck running before. Troy orders his men to stay on Madison's people and frantically runs off shouting for Tracy as Madison's people and Troy's group enter an armed standoff.

Troy makes his way to the burning tanker truck through the fire and the growing herd. Troy shoots a few approaching walkers and, running out of ammo, switches to his blade as gunfire sounds from Troy's men fighting the herd that has been drawn to the hotel. Troy clears a path to the truck but is grabbed from behind by a walker that he had missed. As Troy struggles with the walker, Madison takes the walker out with her sledgehammer, saving a surprised Troy's life. Madison explains that Troy's men are overwhelmed, and that she wasn't going to let another kid die after what had just happened. Opening the cab door with a piece of metal, Troy finds it to be empty and realizes that Tracy wasn't inside, much to his relief. Russell reports that they can't hold back the dead who are everywhere, but Troy frantically orders his men to search the area for Tracy.

"Sanctuary"[]

The survivors at PADRE overhear Troy and Russell on the radio discussing their still unsuccessful search for Troy's daughter Tracy who has been captured by Strand and his men.

"Keeping Her Alive"[]

At Lowcountry Landing, Luciana and the Gearheads confront Troy, Russell and the rest of his people and Troy recognizes Luciana from the ranch as Nick's girlfriend, asking her in Spanish "shame about Nick, isn't it?" Luciana tells Troy that they don't want any trouble, but Troy states that it's too late for that as his daughter's already in some. Luciana is willing to let Troy use their roads to get to Tracy as long as none of her people get hurt. Troy asks if Luciana is going to help him even though Nick chose the ranch instead of her, but Luciana's people are more important to her than her pride. Troy warns Luciana to stand down if she really cares about her people as the Gearheads are outnumbered and outgunned and Troy orders his men to fan out and to take anything worth taking.

Luciana warns Troy not to as this won't end well from him. A large number of PADRE residents emerge from hiding and surround Troy's group, amongst them June, Dwight, Sherry, Odessa, Frank, Hildy and Marietta. Surprised but impressed, Troy realizes that he's fallen into a trap and Luciana admits that she had just needed him to get close, ordering Troy to stand down. Troy warns Luciana that he had trained every one of his men and that they will take out more of Luciana's people and the PADRE residents than they will of Troy's people if it comes down to a fight, but Dwight is happy to test out that theory while Frank quips that they want to make some room in their hotel again. Troy expresses concern about his daughter being in danger while they delay, and Luciana and June try to convince Troy to stand down and negotiate a ceasefire for his daughter's sake. Russell looks to Troy for directions, but he orders Russell not to act. Grabbing his radio, causing a moment of tension as everyone thinks that Troy is going for his gun instead, Troy contacts Strand and tells him that he's been held up, meaning that Strand is the only person that can help him. Strand promises to make sure that Tracy is okay, and Troy tells him where to find Madison, Daniel and Tracy.

When Madison, Daniel, Strand, Ada, Della and Sara arrive at Lowcountry Landing, they find it destroyed with the aftermath of a gunfight that has left most Troy's group dead, as well as most of the Gearheads and PADRE residents who took part in the gunfight. However, Troy, Russell, and a few others were able to steal one of the Gearheads' trucks and escape. Madison and Daniel realize that they intend to use an army of the dead to attack PADRE, the same way that Troy had destroyed Broke Jaw Ranch 12 years before.

"Fighting Like You"[]

Russell will appear in this episode.

"The Road Ahead"[]

The group members find Russell, who was grievously wounded from his group's fight with the Gearheads. Daniel is suspicious of him, and advises the others to stop looking for Tracy, branding them both enemies and commanding they return to the island to protect it. Concerned about his family, Victor wants to take on the walkers outside and go help but Daniel disagrees, wanting to wait them out to negate any risk for themselves. Victor contacts Frank again who says that Russell wants to talk to Madison, offering to not release the herd if she hands Tracy over. 'She's all I have left, Russell.' Madison somberly says.

Russell reveals Alicia might have survived her encounter with Troy. During their confrontation, Alicia managed to hurt Troy and cause him to retreat. Troy had then sent Russell and his men to check if Alicia had died, finding only a bloody mattress. Due to his wounds, Troy was angry and Russell lied about seeing Alicia's corpse to please him. Unconvinced, Madison says Alicia, should she be alive, would want to reunite with her daughter.

Russell's group releases a wave of grenades on PADRE's walls, creating an opening for the herd to get in. Scrambling to go back to help his family, Victor opens the door to the auto-shop and the group starts taking walkers down. At PADRE, Dove brings June the pistols that once belonged to John, while Dwight gives commands to the prefects. He throws Russell to the incoming herd to serve as a distraction.

Death[]

Killed By

Trying to escape from the massive herd overrunning PADRE due to Russell and Troy's group, Dwight shoves him into the walkers as a distraction and Russell is devoured.

Killed Victims[]

This list shows the victims Russell has killed:

  • Hildy (Alive, alongside Troy's Group)
  • Himself (Caused)
  • Many unnamed PADRE residents (Caused and Direct, alongside Troy's Group)
  • Many unnamed Gearheads (Caused and Direct, alongside Troy's Group)
  • Numerous counts of zombies and possibly unnamed people

Relationships[]

Allies[]

Enemies[]

Appearances[]

Episodes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16
Season 1
Season 2
Season 3
Season 4
Season 5
Season 6
Season 7
Season 8
Appears Voice is heard
👁 Appears with no lines Appears in a flashback
Appears as a walker 🖼 Appears in a photograph/video
Appears as a corpse Appears in a hallucination/dream

Trivia[]

  • Due to Troy's death in "Fighting Like You", Russell leads the attack on PADRE in the series finale, thus becoming the final antagonist of Fear the Walking Dead.
  • Russell is the last named character to die in Fear the Walking Dead.
  • Russell is also the last character to die by walkers in Fear the Walking Dead.

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