The Walking Dead has no new shows on the books after The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon comes to an end with season 4 in 2027.
For years, we've been hearing updates about a reunion-type spinoff that will bring back many of the original stars of The Walking Dead whose characters are still alive after the events of the series finale and spinoffs.
There has been so much chatter about this spinoff, but right now, The Walking Dead universe is basically at a crossroads. For me, I think it's time to put a stamp on the spinoffs with the returning characters with one final, epic adventure with the original stars before it spins off into a new, sprawling series with new characters.
So, I put together a list of the five characters that absolutely have to be in the next Walking Dead spinoff, starting with the great Rick Grimes, played by Andrew Lincoln.
Rick Grimes
Andrew Lincoln has mentioned a return to The Walking Dead in the past. Of course, he left the series once as Rick Grimes only to return for the series finale and The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live. Since then, we haven't seen Lincoln return to this world.
There are a lot of fans who think Lincoln will return in Daryl Dixon season 4, and that scene will set up what's to come in the next Walking Dead spinoff. Obviously, that's a long time away, but it's a fun idea.
The thing is that we just haven't seen anyone as good or popular as Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead universe. Since Rick left, it's been a bit all over the place. Sure, Daryl is a lightning rod, and Norman Reedus is a huge start, but it's just not the same without Rick, you know?
So, that's why I think Lincoln has to return to pass the baton to Judith or some other good, interesting characters to keep this universe going. If it doesn't happen, I fear what will become of The Walking Dead universe.
Michonne
AMC also needs to find a way to bring back Danai Gurira to play Michonne at least one more time. Michonne is one of the most interesting characters in the series. She's probably the most skilled fighter in the show's history, and it's just a lot more fun when Michonne is in the mix, slicing and dicing people up with her katana.
With Michonne's connection to Rick and the ending of The Ones Who Live, it makes so much sense to catch back up with Rick and Michonne, along with the rest of their family, including Judith and RJ. And you can't bring back Rick without Michonne. That would be foolish. They've already spent too much time apart as it is.
I'll speak more about this in a minute, but I think the natural handoff is to Judith and RJ to shepherd in a new era of The Walking Dead universe.
Daryl Dixon
Daryl Dixon simply has to be a part of The Walking Dead universe moving forward. Earlier this year, it was revealed that AMC is in talks to bring back Reedus after Daryl Dixon season 4 airs in 2027.
In Daryl Dixon season 4, Daryl and Carol (Melissa McBride) are still stuck in Europe and trying to make their way back to America. There's no better way for Daryl Dixon to end than Daryl and Carol making it back to America and reuniting with Rick and Michonne.
For me, Reedus is probably the one character that needs to be included in the major story moving forward. He has such a passionate fanbase who love his character and support his other projects, too. If the show were to move forward without Daryl in some capacity, I think that would be a mistake. He doesn't have to be in every single episode, but he should be around for the younger characters to go to for advice and things like that.
Carol Peletier
You can't have Daryl join a Walking Dead continuation story without Carol. They aren't romantically linked like Rick and Michonne, but they are, more or less, partners in this. They deserve the opportunity to see this story all the way through.
Carol is the one character I can't believe made it through all 11 seasons. She got so reckless there for a stretch, but it is a testament to McBride and how good she is. The show simply could not part ways with her. She's basically the heartbeat of every show that she's been a part of. Sure, Rick and Daryl are bigger stars, but everyone loves Carol. She's not always the moral compass of the series, but she's at the center of important conflicts.
I just can't imagine The Walking Dead not utilizing a character as good as Carol to introduce us to the next era of The Walking Dead.
Judith Grimes
Judith (Cailey Fleming), and RJ, too, just have to be part of the next Walking Dead spinoff. I know we've seen them a bit here and there in the original series and spinoffs, but I've long been on the bandwagon of continuing the story of The Walking Dead with a spinoff with Judith at the center. I feel like that's just the natural transition of this story, and it makes so much sense to just dive in with characters who fans already have a vested interest in, you know?
It's a tremendous risk to go with all new characters in the next era of The Walking Dead. Like, we have characters right here who are ready to carry the story. It doesn't make sense to me to really dive in with a full new lineup of characters unless there's a major location change.
If The Walking Dead is going to film in the Southeast like the first series, then we have to include characters like Judith and RJ.
So, that's the list of the characters we absolutely need to see in The Walking Dead's next era. I'm sure there are some fans who think we need to see Maggie, played by Lauren Cohan, and Negan, played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan. I largely agree, but the timeline needs to be worked out to find a way to include those characters. That's my biggest sticking point, and it's the reason I don't actually think they need to be introduced immediately. They still should make an appearance, though!
We'll share more news about the next era of The Walking Dead as we find out! Stay tuned.
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