<P> Merle Dixon is a fictional character from the horror drama television series The Walking Dead , which airs on AMC in the United States . He was created by series developer Frank Darabont and portrayed by Michael Rooker . The character was first introduced in the first season as a Southern redneck hunter who has a younger brother , Daryl . He is misogynistic and racist , which causes tensions between him and his group of survivors . Following an encounter with series protagonist Rick Grimes , Merle disappears and joins the community of Woodbury , Georgia , where he becomes the right - hand man of The Governor . He becomes caught in the conflict between the Governor and Rick , especially when nobody in Rick 's group wants him in the group , except for Daryl . </P>
who is darrell brother in the walking dead
Merle Dixon