Norman Reedus is a Hollywood icon best known for cult classic movies like The Boondock Saints, but he’s become unexpectedly prevalent in the video game industry as of late. Of course, he reprised his famous role as Sam Porter Bridges in Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, but in even more recent news, it was revealed that he’ll be coming to the popular asynchronous multiplayer horror game Dead by Daylight, reprising the role of Daryl Dixon from The Walking Dead.
Reedus himself will voice his character in Dead by Daylight, further strengthening his connection to the world of video game acting. Unfortunately, he won’t be a proper Survivor in Dead by Daylight as The Walking Dead‘s Rick Grimes and Michonne Grimes/Hawthorne are the two new Survivors, while Daryl merely appears as an alternate skin for Rick. In other words, there will be no Daryl-specific perks in Dead by Daylight. Nevertheless, it’s cool to see Norman Reedus thrust back into the gaming sphere so soon after Death Stranding 2, and it could even signal the start of a Reedus renaissance, as it were.
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There’s something about Reedus that exudes cool, rugged confidence, making him a natural fit for the leading man position in whatever media he’s featured in. Indeed, Death Stranding‘s Sam Porter Bridges manages to be a memorable, admirable, and relatable character despite his reserved attitude. In fact, it may be this introverted, deceptively laid-back persona that makes Sam such a great gaming protagonist, as there’s enough wiggle room in his personality for the player’s perspective to squeeze in.
Even in The Walking Dead, where he only plays a supporting role, Reedus turns out an unforgettable performance as Daryl Dixon. Over the course of the show’s 11-season run, Dixon remains one of the few consistent, familiar faces, never straying from his position as a fan favorite, and his own eponymous show is still airing.
Again, Reedus’ depiction of the rugged, somewhat poorly adjusted wanderer captures the essence of cool determination: he blends quiet masculinity with sensitivity and kindness, making him easy to latch onto. These traits will, with any luck, shine through in Reedus’ depiction of Daryl in Dead by Daylight, and perhaps in future games as well.
What’s Next for Norman Reedus’ Video Game Career?
After Death Stranding 2, and since there probably won’t be a Death Stranding 3, it would be understandable for Reedus to take a break from the gaming world for a bit. But even if this happens, it would be nice to see him return at some point, even if it’s only for a supporting role or cameo of some kind. After his exceptional two-game depiction of Sam Porter Bridges, one would imagine that he would have the pick of the litter when it comes to future mo-cap roles.
Maybe Reedus could play against type at some point down the road. There’s certainly potential for him to fill the shoes of a more over-the-top character, contrasting the somewhat aloof personalities of Sam and Daryl. Considering the games industry’s potential for fantastical storytelling like in God of War, perhaps Reedus could depict a soured god, superhuman, or military leader of some sort, as these could serve as more challenging roles for the seasoned performer. Either way, Reedus’ video game prominence could just be getting started.
Death Stranding 2: On the Beach
Systems
- Released
- June 26, 2025
- ESRB
- Mature 17+ // Violence, Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Kojima Productions
- Publisher(s)
- Sony Interactive Entertainment
- Engine
- Decima
- Franchise
- Death Stranding
- Number of Players
- Single-player
