[user104658]

It does but, allegedly, it's believed that his fan power is so great that killing him off could actually drop viewership to the extent that they'd be at risk of cancellation. So it's just not going to happen... Not until Reedus' contract is up and he doesn't want to renew. Even then I think they'd give him a soft exit to keep the possibility of a return open (which would upset stans less).