With so much uncertainty about when studios will be able to go back into production, The Walking Dead writers are moving full speed ahead.
The slow spread of novel coronavirus has caused a great deal of uncertainty in Hollywood as studios try to figure out how to resume production on shows and movies. The Walking Dead has been caught up in the wave of uncertainty, with the season 10 finale delayed and no timeline for season 11 to film. However, the TWD writers have been working feverishly to finish the season 11 scripts, which makes us wonder if they could film seasons 11 and 12 back to back.
Once upon a time studios shied away from filming movies and shows back to back because there are so many moving pieces to consider, from cast schedules to production costs to issues with weather on set. However, filming multiple movies or television shows has become more common of late because it actually allows for work to be completed faster, thus taking up less time and money for everyone involved.
Given the current state of uncertainty about when production can resume, it makes perfect sense for the writers to keep working on scripts, finishing season 11 and moving into season 12, so that the cast can come back together when everything is safe. The Walking Dead season 11 will likely not air in 2020, but AMC can cut its losses by filming 11 and 12 together and releasing them closer together. The same can be said of Fear the Walking Dead, as the show can finish filming 6B and then move right into season 7.
Filming back to back allows AMC to play catch up, it allows the cast to get more work accomplished and it puts more content out into the world for a fandom that was ready for 42 episodes of The Walking Dead Universe but instead may get closer to 24 episodes.
There is no word yet about season 12 or any plans to film The Walking Dead back to back, but it makes sense. In a world with many ever-changing variables, being able to film as much as possible when the time is right could be a very smart decision.