The Walking Dead will resume its tenth season on AMC on February 28. If you are an AMC+ member, you can view the first episode now!
The six bonus episodes were created to fill a void left when the pandemic shut down filming.
Season eleven of The Walking Dead was originally set to air in October 2020. When filming and production work was shut down almost a year ago because of COVID-19, all the schedules went out the window.
The season ten finale should have aired in April 2020 but had to be postponed until October 2020. Now, fans are anxiously awaiting the release of the bonus episodes that will carry us into season eleven, which is currently being filming, can be released.
6 new episodes, 6 new stories #TWD returns February 28th. pic.twitter.com/K6fEhd8owS
— The Walking Dead (@WalkingDead_AMC) January 21, 2021
How things differed for filming The Walking Dead during a pandemic
In addition to regular testing, face masks and shields, and social distancing, Insider reports that showrunner Angela Kang shared how moving to digital filming was a necessary step during a pandemic. TWD has always filmed on 16 and 35 mm film. This required many changes of the film where digital filming has fewer touchpoints. During a pandemic, this makes a huge difference in the exposure of germs to the cast and crew.
TWD cinematographer Stephen Campbell said digital filming was considered after season one. After experimenting with digital, it was decided that it took too much away from the esthetic they were trying to create.
Kang explained that the post-production team will work to keep the classic Walking Dead look to the final product.
The bonus episodes just filler, or where these stories supposed to be for season eleven?
Kang told Entertainment Weekly that they were working hard season eleven when things were shutdown. This made them regroup and rethink the episodes. The bonus episodes are a combination of some stories that were being developed for season eleven and new projects they wanted to tackle; for instance, they wanted to do a standalone of “Here’s Negan” but didn’t have a place for it. The decision to extended season ten gave them a perfect opportunity for this.
Safety precautions during filming
Whatever they are doing, it is working. TWD Universe has all three of its series filming, and there has been no news of outbreaks in any of the sets.
Norman Reedus told Entertainment Weekly that they test the actors multiple times a week, check temps upon arrival to the set, use face masks and shields and practice social distancing to keep everyone safe.
Kang also told Insider they hired a former Army medic to serve as the show’s health and safety supervisor.
Fans are just happy to know what all of the series in the TWDU are filming, and we are going to get new episodes soon.
Be sure to watch the first episode of The Walking Dead’s season 10c, “Home Sweet Home” on AMC Sunday, February 28.