‘The Walking Dead’ Daryl and Carol Spin-Off: Release date, plot, cast and all you need to know about the AMC show
For fans of AMC’s ‘The Walking Dead’, there is both bad news and good news. The bad news is that ‘The Walking Dead’, which made history as the highest-rated series in the history of cable television will end with an expanded two-year eleventh season that will span 24 episodes.
With the previously announced six extra Season 10 episodes scheduled for early next year, there are 30 remaining episodes of the flagship series that will run through late 2022. But even as the groundbreaking zombie series comes to an end, the universe still lives on. As per AMC, the original series will be followed by a greenlit spin-off focused on the popular Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) and Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride) characters.
Release Date
This yet unnamed ‘The Walking Dead’ spin-off will premiere in 2023.
Plot
The plot for the Carol-Daryl spin-off has yet to be revealed by AMC. In all likelihood, the direction of the story will be determined by how things stand at the end of the finale of ‘The Walking Dead’.
Cast
Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon
The 51-year-old American actor, voice actor, television host, and model is best known for his role as Daryl Dixon in AMC’s ‘The Walking Dead’. His character, first introduced in Season 1, as a Southern expert tracker, living in the shadow of his older brother, Merle, has received acclaim from fans and critics alike.
Reedus’ other noted roles include films like ‘The Boondock Saints’, ‘The Boondock Saints II: All Saints Day’, ‘Blade 2’, ‘Deuces Wild’, and 'Pawn Shop Chronicles'.
Speaking about ‘The Walking Dead’, Reedus said, as per the AMC press release, “I feel incredibly honored to be a part of ‘The Walking Dead’. This show changed my life and career and everyone involved has truly been a family for me over the last decade. I’m thankful for AMC’s love and support and know there’s so much more story to tell and so much more to bring the best fans in the world.”
About the spin-off, he said, “Daryl’s relationship with Carol has always been my favorite relationship on the show (sorry Rick). I love the way these characters interact and relate to each other on so many levels and can’t wait to see where their ride goes from here.”
Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier
The 55-year-old American actor’s most famous role is that of Carol Peletier on the AMC series ‘The Walking Dead’. Her film roles include, ‘The Happys’, ‘The Mist’, and ‘The Reconstruction of William Zero’. On television, her roles include ‘Dawson's Creek’, ‘Robot Chicken’, and ‘Fear the Walking Dead’.
McBride said in the AMC statement, “Of course, I’ve always enjoyed working so closely with Norman throughout these many seasons. In playing Carol, and as a viewer of the show, I’ve also long been intrigued with ‘Daryl and Carol,’ and by what so early on between them, even then, felt somehow bound.”
About the spin-off, McBride said, “Their shared history is long, and each’s own personal fight to survive, even longer -- the more obvious aspect of what has kept them close and loyal. But there is also a rather mysterious aspect to their fondness for one another that I enjoy, and their playfulness when the world permits. I’m very curious! Angela has a way of shaking things up in great and unexpected ways. She’s like a kid playing with the dimmer switch! I’m very excited!”
Other cast members for the yet unnamed ‘The Walking Dead’ spin-off have not been announced as of yet. Watch this space for more.
Creators
This yet unnamed ‘The Walking Dead’ spin-off will be run by current ‘The Walking Dead’ showrunner Angela Kang, who co-created the series with Scott M. Gimple, the chief content officer of ‘The Walking Dead’ universe.
Gimple said in the AMC press release, “We have a lot of thrilling story left to tell on TWD, and then, this end will be a beginning of more Walking Dead -- brand new stories and characters, familiar faces and places, new voices, and new mythologies. This will be a grand finale that will lead to new premieres. Evolution is upon us. ‘The Walking Dead’ lives.”
Kang said, “‘The Walking Dead’ flagship series has been my creative home for a decade and so it’s bittersweet to bring it to an end, but I could not be more excited to be working with Scott Gimple and AMC to develop a new series for Daryl and Carol. Working with Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride has been a highlight of my career and I’m thrilled that we get to keep telling stories together.”
Ed Carroll, chief operating officer of AMC Networks, said about the spin-off series, “We can’t wait to bring viewers this expanded final season of ‘The Walking Dead’ over the next two years, and launch the fourth series in the history of the franchise, focused on the beloved Daryl and Carol characters, with the incredibly talented Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, Angela Kang, and Scott M. Gimple. There really is so much ‘walking’ ahead, in a number of very exciting directions, for this extraordinary creative universe we call ‘The Walking Dead.’”
Trailer
No trailer for this yet unnamed ‘The Walking Dead’ spin-off has been released yet. Watch this space for more information.
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'Fear the Walking Dead', 'The Walking Dead: World Beyond', 'Black Summer', 'Kingdom', and 'Z Nation'.