How many seasons of The Walking Dead are there?
By Renee Hansen
AMC’s The Walking Dead has been airing since 2010 with the pilot episode “Days Gone Bye.” After airing for 12 years, the series aired its final episode on November 20, 2022. The series has spawned several spinoffs, games, and other related projects, creating a vast universe and a special group of fans who belong to TWD Family.
During the first episode, viewers were introduced to Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), a well-known character to readers of Robert Kirkman’s comic book that inspired the series. Rick would eventually leave the series but would always be considered the survivors’ leader. Especially since viewers were privy to the fact that he didn’t die in the bridge explosion, a fact that was only known by Jadis (Pollyanna McIntosh), Michonne (Danai Gurira), Virgil (Kevin Carroll), and his daughter Judith (Cailey Fleming).
Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) and Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride) are the only season 1 characters who remain in the storyline until the series finale. This duo has endured many trials and losses during their time in the apocalypse, forming a special bond between them.
The Walking Dead seasons
In 2020 it was announced that the eleventh season of The Walking Dead would be the series’s final. Fans were shocked and saddened at the news. After 11 seasons, 12 years, and 177 episodes, The Walking Dead series concluded its storyline.
The fandom will live on with Fear the Walking Dead and the other announced spinoffs, but nothing will ever compare to the first episode of the flagship series. The spinoffs will feature familiar faces of Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) in Dead City, Daryl will have a story of his own, and at SDCC 2022, it was announced that Rick and Michonne would return in a series that would replace the trilogy of movies that were initially announced to be the return of Rick Grimes to the story.
Season 1 of The Walking Dead consisted of 6 episodes, with season 2 having thirteen. Seasons 3-9 would follow with sixteen episodes each. The tenth season was partially filmed during the pandemic, giving viewers some bonus episodes with a total of 22. The final season contained 24 episodes, released in three parts. Season 11 is the first season not to have an October premiere date.
With an 11-season run, The Walking Dead will always hold a special place in the hearts of fans. The spinoffs are shaping up to bring something new to the fandom. Fear the Walking Dead will return to AMC on May 14, 2023, with part one of season 8, which will also be the last for this series. The first new direct spinoff for 2023, The Walking Dead: Dead City, premieres in June 2023.
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