Why is there no season 12 of The Walking Dead?
By Renee Hansen
AMC announced some time ago, that the eleventh season of The Walking Dead would be the last. On November 20, 2022, AMC aired The Walking Dead’s final episode, “Rest in Peace,” which marked 177 episodes across 12 years. The last episode tied up many characters’ stories, leaving many open for spinoffs to come. But why did the series end?
According to Chief Content Officer of TWD, Scott M. Gimple, there are more thrilling stories left to tell, but this will be done via spinoffs that will introduce new stories, characters, voices, and mythologies while also featuring many familiar faces. He referred to it as the evolution of the universe.
AMC did give the fandom a mega-sized final season featuring 24 episodes. The Walking Dead had slipped in viewership over the years as the character list grew, and the stories became more diluted. It was difficult to follow so many storylines and for the creators to give substantial content for so many people.
While the end of the flagship series was a disappointment for the die-hard fans, the stories have continued by way of the spinoff series.
The Walking Dead spinoff series
Fear the Walking Dead was the first spinoff of the main series that aired for eight seasons. As with most series, Fear TWD had its highs and lows, with the first three seasons being the best of the show.
The final season saw the return of fan-favorite Madison Clark (Kim Dickens) and the departure of long-time character Morgan Jones (Lennie James) in the midseason finale. Troy Otto (Daniel Sharman), a character featured in season 3, also made a surprise return from the dead, as did another fan-favorite, Alicia Clark (Alycia Debnam-Carey).
AMC has made no announcements for spinoffs of this series, but two storylines did set things up for the possibility of Morgan or Dwight (Austin Amelio) and Sherry (Christine Evangelista) appearing in upcoming spinoffs.
The Walking Dead: World Beyond was a limited series consisting of two seasons that have already aired. Fans who have yet to view this series should really take the time to do so. Much is revealed about the CRM (Civic Republic Military), which is known to have Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and could reappear in some of the new spinoffs.
In the summer of 2022, Tales of the Walking Dead began airing on AMC. The first season of this series consists of six standalone stories told in an anthology format. These stories are unique to the fandom as they occur in different locations around the US during different time frames during the outbreak. There is no news about a second season, but many fans are eager to see more of these stories.
The Walking Dead: Dead City (formerly titled Isle of the Dead) is a spinoff series that features Walking Dead characters Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and Maggie (Lauren Cohan). Their stories are now centered in Manhattan and the first season focused on the rescue of Maggie’s son Hershel (Logan Kim). The series has been renewed for a second season.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon series begins a new adventure for Daryl (Norman Reedus), who finds himself forced on board a ship bound for France. His main goal is to return home, but this is sidetracked as he meets new people who are in desperate need of his assistance.
The series has been renewed for a second season that will also feature fan-favorite Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride) and has added a subtitle, The Book of Carol. The second season premieres in 2024.
On February 25, 2024, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live will premiere on AMC. This series focuses on the epic love story of Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne (Danai Gurira). Fans have long to learn more about the couple who have been separated for years.
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