As Resident Evil celebrates three decades of survival horror we take a look at the current status of every hero (and a few villains) to see how likely it is they’ll be in a new game.
Today marks the 30th anniversary of Resident Evil and unlike many video game franchises, its world and characters have never rebooted or restarted, with the series telling one continuous story over three decades.
As such, we’ve witnessed its characters age alongside the games, with veterans like Chris and Leon now grizzled, middle-aged men rather than the fresh faced 20-somethings they once were.
Capcom’s adherence to the ongoing continuity means there have been a lot of characters over the years, many of whom remain a part of the series today.
For the anniversary, we’ve taken a look at the series’ most prominent stars to see where they are now, following the release of the most recent entry, Resident Evil Requiem, as well as the odds of them coming back in a future game.
As a warning, we will be spoiling the entire Resident Evil series here, including Resident Evil Requiem. And we won’t be counting any of the appearances of characters in multiplayer games like Resident Evil Re:Verse.
Expert, exclusive gaming analysis
Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning.
Chris Redfield – debut: Resident Evil (1996)
Chris has been a series mainstay ever since the original Resident Evil and remains dedicated to combatting zombie virus threats as a key member of the BSAA (Bioterrorism Security Assessment Alliance).
He has the record for the most playable appearances, although he was only mentioned by name in Requiem. His last playable appearance was in 2021’s Resident Evil Village, where he helped out primary protagonist Ethan.
Chris is set to remain a fixture of the series for years to come, since Resident Evil Village’s Shadows Of Rose DLC – which takes place in 2037 and is currently the latest entry in the Resident Evil timeline – shows he’s still active in fighting bioterrorism and looking after Ethan’s daughter Rose.
Jill Valentine – debut: Resident Evil (1996)
Alongside Chris, Jill started off as a playable character in the original game and has appeared many times since, while often being picked to represent Resident Evil in crossovers.
That’s why it’s surprising that, in terms of the mainline games, Jill’s last appearance was in 2009’s Resident Evil 5 – and she was only playable in that via DLC. However, she was in the 2020 Resident Evil 3 remake and was also the co-lead in 2012 spin-off Resident Evil: Revelations and featured in the animated Resident Evil: Death Island movie.
As a member of the BSAA, you’d think she would have reappeared by now, so she’s definitely overdue a new playable appearance. Hopefully she’ll get a more prominent role in Resident Evil 10.
Barry Burton – debut: Resident Evil (1996)
Despite being part of the main cast of Resident Evil 1, and coining the iconic Jill sandwich line, Barry has had surprisingly few prominent appearances in the mainline games since then.
That may be because he retired for a while, but he eventually joined the BSAA as a consultant and combat specialist. His last on-screen appearance was in 2015’s Resident Evil: Revelations 2 as one of its main playable characters, teaming up with a young girl called Natalia to find his missing daughter Moira.
By the end of that game, he returned home to his family (including the newly adopted Natalia), but he’s been absent ever since.
Rebecca Chambers – debut: Resident Evil (1996)
While Rebecca debuted as a rookie medic in the first Resident Evil, 2002 prequel Resident Evil 0 showed she already had experience dealing with mutants and zombies, before eventually joining Chris and Jill at the BSAA.
Since then, she’s only made cameo appearances in a small number of games. She’s had more prominence in the animated movies (which are canon to the series), with her most recent chronological appearance being in Death Island.
With a Resident Evil 0 remake reportedly on the way, a follow-up appearance in Resident Evil 10 could make for a fun contrast, since she should be in her late 40s now and a far cry from the 18-year-old newbie she once was.
Albert Wesker – debut: Resident Evil (1996)
Wesker is the most iconic villain in all of Resident Evil, starting as Chris and Jill’s captain before revealing himself to be a secret traitor and eventually becoming a deliciously hammy supervillain with delusions of godhood.
Although he’s made frequent appearances throughout the franchise, Wesker’s story supposedly ended in Resident Evil 5, where he was dropped into a volcano and took a rocket launcher to the face. And despite his popularity, and this being a series all about zombies, Capcom has stuck to its guns and kept him dead.
Resident Evil Requiem did introduce Zeno, who is implied to be a clone (he even shares the same voice actor in both English and French) but his backstory was never explained. Perhaps there’s more to come in Requiem’s DLC, but either way Wesker’s shadow still looms over the franchise.
Leon S. Kennedy – debut: Resident Evil 2 (1998)
While he first appeared in Resident Evil 2, Leon didn’t become the fan favourite he is today until Resident Evil 4 turned him into a jaded, wise-cracker with a penchant for cheesy one-liners.
Initially a rookie cop, he currently works for the US government, rather than the BSAA, as part of an anti-bioterrorism organisation, which is why he’s not seen palling around with Chris and Jill anymore.
Like Chris, his popularity ensured him frequent appearances in both the games and animated movies, and he even got to co-lead the Infinite Darkness Netflix series in 2021. Obviously, his latest appearance was in Resident Evil Requiem, so he’ll likely sit out Resident Evil 10 when that rolls around.
Claire Redfield – debut: Resident Evil 2 (1998)
Unlike every other character so far, Claire was never part of any law enforcement agency, only getting dragged into the world of BOWs and zombie viruses while searching for her older brother Chris in Resident Evil 2.
Since then, she’s become a series regular, partnering with the likes of Leon, Chris, and Barry, and currently works for human rights organisation TerraSave. She hasn’t had as many playable appearances in the mainline games as other characters, with her last one being in Resident Evil: Revelations 2, plus the Resident Evil 2 remake.
Her last chronological appearance was in the Death Island movie so, like Jill, she’s long overdue a return to the games. A Code: Veronica remake, which she co-stars in alongside her brother, is rumoured to be in the works so perhaps that could lead into an updated appearance in Resident Evil 10.
Ada Wong – debut: Resident Evil 2 (1998)
Ada Wong remains one of the series’ biggest mysteries. Ever since her first appearance, she’s been an elusive and enigmatic spy, always working in the background to suit her own agenda and double-crossing both the heroes and villains.
While she’s yet to lead her own game, she did get her own playable side story in Resident Evil 4 (and its remake) as well as an unlockable campaign in 2012’s Resident Evil 6. Her quasi-romantic ties to Leon have ensured she usually appears whenever he does and yet she’s not in Resident Evil Requiem at all.
In fact, chronologically, Ada hasn’t been seen since Resident Evil 6, with only cameos and the Resident Evil 4 remake keeping her relevant. If Requiem’s DLC is more Leon focused, perhaps she’ll appear there, especially since Leon’s mystery wedding ring has some fans thinking the two finally hooked up.
Sherry Birkin – debut: Resident Evil 2 (1998)
Initially a small girl in need of rescuing, an older Sherry ended up being promoted to playable character in Resident Evil 6, joining the same organisation as Leon and teaming up with Wesker’s estranged son Jake.
She faded into the background afterwards, barring a return to child Sherry in the Resident Evil 2 remake, and while she’s recently appeared in Resident Evil Requiem, she’s confined to a desk the whole time as she assists Leon in his own mission.
Sherry’s well suited to becoming a playable lead again thanks to her regeneration abilities; something that also slowed down her aging (a trait she shares with Jill), which is why she looks so youthful despite being 40 years old.
Ethan Winters – debut: Resident Evil 7 biohazard (2017)
The ironically faceless face of the soft reboot that was Resident Evil 7, Ethan was the first truly ‘normal’ hero of the series; a simple systems engineer who was dragged into the world of survival horror while looking for his missing wife.
Those events would see him meet and befriend Chris and get some proper combat training, though his hopes of returning to a normal life with his wife and daughter were upended by the events of Resident Evil Village, where he sacrificed himself to save his family.
Ethan would sort of return in the Shadows Of Rose DLC, as a mental spirit to aid his now teenage daughter, giving the two the chance to properly say goodbye. Considering Capcom considers that the end of the Winters saga, it’s safe to say Ethan’s now gone for good.
Rosemary Winters – debut: Resident Evil Village (2021)
Resident Evil is no stranger to giving characters mutant abilities like they’re X-Men, but Rosemary (or Rose for short) is the first protagonist to have superpowers beyond simple regeneration, capable of controlling the Mold fungus and anything connected to it.
After her debut as a baby, a 16-year-old Rose tried to get rid of her mutant powers in the Shadows Of Rose DLC, but she ultimately kept them and apparently joined Chris at the BSAA. At the time, it was speculated that Rose could return as the next game’s protagonist, but she’s not mentioned in Resident Evil Requiem.
That makes sense, though, since the series’ chronology would put her at only six years old, with the events of Shadows Of Rose taking place in 2037. If Rose is ever to return as a playable character, it’s going to have to be in a game set further in the future.
Grace Ashcroft – debut: Resident Evil Requiem (2026)
The newest Resident Evil hero, Grace is an FBI agent who works in intelligence and thus serves as the inexperienced newcomer, compared to series veteran Leon in Resident Evil Requiem.
Introduced as the daughter of lesser-known character Alyssa Ashcroft, from 2003’s Resident Evil Outbreak, Grace is revealed to have much deeper ties to the series, although she’s still a relatively ordinary person, with no special abilities or training.
While there’s still DLC on the way, it’s unclear if Grace will have any further involvement with the series, although her popularity with fans means she probably will. Her mother is also rumoured to be a possible focus for upcoming DLC.
Resident Evil series timeline for the main games
1998 – (in order) Resident Evil 0, Resident Evil 1, Resident Evil 3: Nemesis, Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil Code: Veronica
2004 – Resident Evil 4
2005 – Resident Evil: Revelations
2009 – Resident Evil 5
2011 – Resident Evil: Revelations 2
2012 – Resident Evil 6
2017 – Resident Evil 7 biohazard
2021 – Resident Evil Village
2026 – Resident Evil Requiem
2037 – Resident Evil Village: Shadows Of Rose
While these characters are considered the main stars of the franchise, there have been several other noteworthy ones who’ve had less frequent appearances but still have a reasonable chance of returning one day.
Carlos Oliveira – debut: Resident Evil 3: Nemesis (1999)
An ally of Jill’s in Resident Evil 3, Carlos worked for a private military force owned by Umbrella, though he ditched the organisation following the events of the game.
He’s apparently still around and nursing a grudge against Umbrella, but he’s had no other major appearances aside from the Resident Evil 3 remake, with his last playable role being in the non-canon 2025 mobile game Resident Evil Survival Unit.
Billy Coen – debut: Resident Evil 0 (2002)
An ex-soldier turned death row inmate, Billy became an unwilling participant in the events of Resident Evil 0 and Rebecca’s partner. It would be revealed that he refused orders to massacre civilians as part of a cover-up but was blamed for it regardless.
Rebecca ending up lying to the authorities that he had died, allowing Billy to escape at the end of the game. Since then, he’s only made a very small handful of cameos and his whereabouts in the main series are unknown, although he is set to return in the rumoured 0 remake.
Ashley Graham – debut: Resident Evil 4 (2005)
A university student and daughter of the now former president of the United States, Ashley famously starred in Resident Evil 4 as kidnap victim and escort mission for Leon, only being briefly playable during one section of the game.
For all her notoriety (or perhaps because of it), she’s otherwise vanished from the series, with nothing to indicate what she’s doing with her life now. That may change as the Resident Evil 4 remake turned her into a more proactive character and gave her an interest in becoming a trained agent like Leon.
Sheva Alomar – debut: Resident Evil 5 (2009)
Chris’ co-op partner in Resident Evil 5, Sheva is another BSAA agent so she should still be active. Yet despite being fairly well-liked by fans, she’s barely appeared or even been acknowledged in the series since.
Strangely, her last real appearance in anything was as a playable character in asymmetrical horror game Dead By Daylight, as part of a wider Resident Evil crossover in 2022.
Parker Luciani and Keith Lumley – debut: Resident Evil: Revelations (2012)
A pair of BSSA agents who were playable during certain sections of Resident Evil: Revelations, they don’t seem to have made much of a mark either with fans or within Capcom.
Revelations was the most screen time they ever got, with the two only popping up again in a few mobile and pachinko games you’ve probably never heard of.
Jake Muller – debut: Resident Evil 6 (2012)
An uncaring, selfish mercenary and the son of Wesker, Jake partnered with Sherry during the events of Resident Evil 6, which seemed to soften him up and make him a more heroic person by the end.
He’s mostly been forgotten about nowadays, either due to his appearance effectively putting the cap on Wesker’s presence in the series or just for being associated with the one bad mainline game in the franchise.
Helena Harper – debut: Resident Evil 6 (2012)
A US Secret Service agent and Leon’s co-op partner in Resident Evil 6, Helena had a whole arc of being blackmailed into assisting with the assassination of the president and seeking revenge for her sister.
Her storyline was wrapped up by the end of the game and she hasn’t even made any cameo appearances since, so it’s unlikely she’ll return in a major role in any future games.
Piers Nivans – debut: Resident Evil 6 (2012)
Capcom seems thoroughly disinterested in doing anything with characters who were introduced in Resident Evil 6, as Piers – Chris’ co-op partner and fellow BSAA agent – has only occasionally been mentioned since.
Unlike Jake and Helena, though, Piers has a good excuse since Resident Evil 6 saw him die, although his sacrifice inspired Chris to abandon his retirement plans and stick with the BSAA.
Moira Burton – debut: Resident Evil: Revelations 2 (2015)
Barry’s eldest daughter, Moira is a civilian who works alongside Claire at TerraSave, so she’s not one for dealing with zombies and mutants. As such, her playable appearance in Revelations 2 has her in a support role, using a flashlight to blind enemies and only wielding a crowbar as a weapon.
She survived the events of the game and returned home to her family, which was the last we ever saw of her, with not even any cameo roles since then.
Natalia Korda – debut: Resident Evil: Revelations 2 (2015)
An orphan girl and test subject for viral experiments, Natalia partnered with Barry in Revelations 2, lobbing bricks at enemies and using her special powers to locate enemies and hidden items.
Wesker’s equally evil sister, Alex, hoped to transfer her consciousness into Natalia but the plan was foiled and Natalia was adopted by Barry, presumably to live a completely normal life since she hasn’t been seen or mentioned since.
Emily – debut: Resident Evil Requiem (2026)
Between Sherry, Rose, Natalia, and now Emily, Resident Evil sure loves orphaned little girls with mutant powers. Emily miraculously survived the events of Requiem and was adopted by Grace at the end of the story.
Much like Grace, it’s far too early to tell if Capcom has any long-term plans for Emily or if her Requiem appearance is but a one-off, but it’s relatively easy to see how she could take on an action role once she grows up.
In fact, some fans theorise that Capcom is building up a stable of younger heroes, who will be active in the 2030s, to replace the aging originals. So far that potentially includes Rose and Emily, so don’t be surprised if Resident Evil 10 features a young male character to add to the line-up…
Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter.
To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here.
For more stories like this, check our Gaming page.
