Norman Reedus on Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, ‘A Simple story that’s very complicated’

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon is a series that focuses on the titular character portrayed by Norman Reedus since season 1 of The Walking Dead in 2010. Now, 13 years later, Reedus finds himself still giving life to Daryl Dixon in a spinoff series that is a refreshing addition to TWDU. In an interview with The Sydney Morning Herald, Reedus talks about the early days of TWD and the future of Daryl Dixon.

Daryl Dixon was introduced in season 1, episode 3, “Tell it to the Frogs,” of The Walking Dead. He came on the scene disgruntled because a walker was munching on a deer he had been tracking. He was none too pleased to learn that his brother Merle (Michael Rooker) was left handcuffed to a roof in Atlanta.

Regarding the first season of The Walking Dead:

"“We went into it treating it as real as possible, and it had all these elements that if you didn’t, it would slide into Cornyville real easy. So everybody played it real, and that first group of actors became so close, and had such respect for each other and wanted each other to do the best they could do, and it was a real sense of family right from the beginning. And I think that camaraderie between the actors and the crew set the tone that you could feel through the TV screen.” – Norman Reedus"

Throughout the series, Daryl suffered significant losses but still became a much better man due to the influence and love of his found family.

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon spinoff starring Norman Reedus

After departing the Commonwealth in the final scene of The Walking Dead series finale, Daryl encounters a group who employ him to round up walkers of a specific description in exchange for fuel. Things backfire, and he is forced on a ship bound for France that is experimenting on walkers.

The new series’ first season centered on how Daryl arrives in France, the fascinating new people he encounters, and his quest to return home. To the surprise of many, this series has become just what the franchise needed to give it a reboot. It is a beautiful story with interesting new characters set against the backdrop of France, which, even in the apocalypse, retains its beauty.

The new series was “an opportunity to flip the script” from the main series and “tell a simple story that’s very complicated.” These statements describe the series perfectly, as it is a simple survival story.  But complications arise when Daryl’s goal of returning home is stifled by his compassionate heart, which leads him to help others, setting his own needs aside.

Reedus has stated that what they are making with this series is art, and until you watch it, this statement doesn’t make sense. But upon viewing, the series truly is an artistic work, unlike anything within TWDU.

"“It’s all new, it’s all fresh, and it feels like season one again, which to me is great.” – Norman Reedus"

The first season ended with Daryl needing to choose between a boat that would begin his journey home or staying with Laurent  (Louis Puech Scigliuzzi), who is believed to be the one who will lead humanity’s revival.

Daryl Dixon has been renewed for season 2, which will premiere in 2024 and include the addition of Daryl’s longtime friend, Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride).

Don’t miss The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol on AMC and AMC+ in 2024.

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