For many fans, The Walking Dead never really ended. It just changed. Even after the original series wrapped up, the universe has continued through its many spinoffs, allowing viewers to stay connected to the characters and world they’ve loved for years. And honestly, that connection is still very much alive.
Whether fans followed the franchise from the very beginning or jumped in later, there’s something comforting about knowing this story still matters. In a time when shows are constantly being canceled or forgotten, seeing The Walking Dead franchise continue to thrive feels like a small victory for longtime viewers who invested so much emotion into it.
That’s why this latest update is so exciting. Two Walking Dead spinoffs have just received genuinely great news. This is the kind of news that gets the fandom buzzing and makes them really proud of the franchise!
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon receives a 2026 Saturn Awards nomination
We're not telling no lies! The 2026 Saturn Awards nominations were announced on Jan. 27, and Daryl Dixon is among the Walking Dead spinoffs being recognized. The beloved zombie series has been nominated for "Best Television Presentation or Limited Series." But that's not all! The show's two main stars, Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride, have also earned individual nominations, giving fans even more reason to celebrate this iconic spinoff.
Reedus was nominated for "Best Actor in a Television Series," while McBride earned a nod for "Best Actress in a Television Series." These nominations are major accomplishments for the spinoff and its stars, highlighting not only the talent of the cast but also the hard work of the writers, directors, and crew who bring this post-apocalyptic world to life.
However, this isn't the first time Daryl Dixon, Reedus, and McBride have received Saturn Award nominations. In 2025, Daryl Dixon was nominated for "Best Horror Television series." In addition, Reedus and McBride were both nominated in 2025 for their standout performances, with Reedus up for "Best Actor in a Television Series" and McBride for "Best Actress in a Television Series." I think it's safe to say that these consecutive nominations underscore just how much the spinoff and its stars have impressed both fans and voters.
The Walking Dead: Dead City earns a 2026 Saturn Awards nomination
The other Walking Dead spinoff to earn Saturn Awards recognition this year is Dead City. This spinoff has been nominated for "Best Horror Television Series." However, this is the only nomination Dead City has received. Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan were not recognized this year, but the nod for the series itself still shows that the spinoff is making an impact and earning recognition in the Walking Dead universe.
Like Daryl Dixon, this isn’t the first time Dead City has earned Saturn Awards recognition. The spinoff was previously nominated for "Best New Genre Television Series" in 2024. Cohan had even earned a nomination for "Best Actress in a Television Series" that same year. Morgan, on the other hand, didn’t receive a nomination that year. That's something that's still mind-boggling for fans, given how much Morgan’s portrayal of Negan has been praised over the years. Hopefully, he'll get the recognition he deserves in the future!
The 2026 Saturn Awards winners will be announced at the 53rd Saturn Awards ceremony on March 8 at the Universal Hilton, and Joel McHale will be hosting the event. Fingers crossed, Daryl Dixon and its cast bring home some wins as well as Dead City. We'll be waiting with bated breath to see if these Walking Dead spinoffs take home any awards!
Daryl Dixon will return with its fourth and final season sometime in 2026, while Dead City season 3 is expected to come out this year as well. Once we have the official premiere dates, we'll return and share these juicy deets. So, make sure to stay tuned to Undead Walking!