The Governor (real name Philip Blake in the TV series and Brian Blake in the comic and novels) is a fictional character and a primary antagonist from the The Walking Dead comic book and television series. On television, he is portrayed by David Morrissey. Created by Robert Kirkman and artists Charlie Adlard and Cliff Rathburn, the character made his comics debut in The Walking Dead #27 on April 2006 and his television debut in season 3. In both series, The Governor is the seemingly charismatic leader of Woodbury, Georgia, who is revealed to be a brutal, insane leader who comes into conflict with protagonist Rick Grimes and is responsible for several deaths of primary characters. The Governor's origins are explored in the novel The Walking Dead: Rise of the Governor, written by Kirkman and