AMC's Walking Dead franchise has become one of the most enduring on television. It's been on the air since 2010 when the cable network launched the game-changing series based on the legendary Robert Kirkman comic books, and even when The Walking Dead itself came to an end in 2022, the saga has persisted. That won't be changing anytime soon it seems.
The TWD Universe is no stranger to spinoffs. It ran a number of offshoots alongside the original series, including prequel series Fear The Walking Dead. But spinoffs have now guaranteed the future of the franchise as a number of newer outings have continued the stories beyond the series finale's credits, opening up new chapters for characters like Daryl Dixon, Carol Peletier, Maggie Rhee, Negan, Michonne and, of course, Rick Grimes.
We've had plenty of amazing episodes from this franchise over the years and the new spinoffs haven't let us down either. And there is still plenty to come from this television franchise as there are more seasons of the beloved offerings on the way (as well as the promise of more potential spinoffs). With that in mind, here's what outings you can look forward to in 2025 and beyond.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 3
Premiere date: September 7, 2025
Daryl and Carol's story continues this September as the pair complete their journey through the Chunnel and find themselves in jolly old England. But there's nothing jolly about this iteration of London, which is so far beyond saving that the two TWD legends can't seem to find a single living soul (at least not in the footage released from the season thus far).
Seeing London in the TWD Universe for the first time ever is sure to be a treat but make no mistake about it, Daryl and Carol's mission has not changed: They are determined to get back to America. Unfortunately for them, it seems they'll be taking a little detour to Spain as it looks like that is where the majority of the season will be set.
This season is described as being something of a "Spaghetti Western" and the trailer is certainly giving Mad Max vibes. That can only mean really high stakes and some damn good entertainment.
The Walking Dead: Dead City season 3
Release: Likely late 2026 / early 2027
Dead City was the very first of the new TWD spinoffs to launch and its second season aired earlier this year. This time around Maggie was roped into going back to New York City in a bid to help the New Babylon Marshalls take over Manhattan and overthrow The Croat. It didn't end well for them, but it also led Maggie on a new mission as she crossed paths with Negan again and her son Hershel was drawn to the dark side by The Dama.
The spinoff was renewed for a third season shortly after its season 2 finale and production is reportedly set to begin before the end of the year. However, Dead City has had a notoriously long two-year wait between its seasons in the past, so it's hard to predict exactly when season 3 will premiere on screens.
Theoretically, it should be next year, but if production doesn't start before the end of this year, that might be less feasible. Especially as another TWD spinoff tends to air in the later half of the year.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 4
Release: 2026
The fourth and final season of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon is currently in production in Spain and it will bring a close to this chapter of the TWD Universe. Needless to say that it's going to be a bittersweet experience for Daryl Dixon is arguably the best of the new TWD spinoffs, and fans have become extremely fond of it, its visuals, and its gripping storyline.
The announcement that season 4 would be the show's last came at San Diego Comic-Con and it caught a lot of fans off-guard. But the decision was made as creator David Zabel envisioned where he wanted the show to go from the beginning, including where he wanted to end it. It's also important to note that, while Daryl Dixon is ending after four seasons, the statements released by Zabel and AMC very much imply that it's only the end of this chapter. With that in mind, Daryl and Carol will likely return to screens at some point down the line.
In the meantime, the final season will hopefully see them find their way back home to the US. There are even rumors that it might feature their long-awaited reunion with Andrew Lincoln's Rick Grimes. How great would that be?
As for when fans can expect the final season, Daryl Dixon has maintained a perfect annual premiere window of September. With season 4 already well into production, there is no reason to think that the final season won't air in September 2026.
There are more planned Walking Dead spinoffs in various stages of development
It's been three years since the TWD Universe has announced a new Walking Dead spinoff but that doesn't mean that there aren't plans going on behind-the-scenes. AMC's Chief Content Officer of the Walking Dead Universe Scott M. Gimple has implied on multiple occasions that they are cooking up the next phase of the franchise, which would likely involve more classic characters in new and unexpected locations.
But right now, there are two potential spinoffs confirmed to be in the works:
More Tales From The Walking Dead Universe: A short-form spinoff of the 2022 spinoff Tales of the Walking Dead pretty much designed as a successor to it. Little is known about it right now, but it would likely just mimic its predecessor in telling standalone tales in the TWD Universe (albeit shorter ones). The only thing that's worrying is that it hasn't been given any definitive update in over two years. And with Tales recently being confirmed not to return for another season, will More Tales ever see the light of day?
Another mystery spinoff unlike anything TWD has ever done before: Scott Gimple recently revealed to Screen Rant that they are working on a new spinoff that he is "very, very excited to see that we've never been before". He didn't offer up any specific details as to what it would be about, but the answer was in response to a question about how Daryl Dixon is the franchise's most global show, so it's possible that it could focus on another part of the world that the saga hasn't shown us yet.
Amidst all of this, fans are hoping for one more big crossover spinoff that would bring all of the characters featured on The Ones Who Live, Daryl Dixon, and Dead City back together again - mainly so that they can all reunite with Rick Grimes and see that he is alive after all these years. It would essentially act as a season 12 of The Walking Dead so it may be difficult to pull off, but it goes without saying that it would be worth it. Andrew Lincoln's return to the TWD Universe in The Ones Who Live last year was met with acclaim and it was a huge reminder of just how much this franchise needs Rick Grimes. Now, his friends need to reunite with him.
Dead City star Lauren Cohan revealed recently that she would consider that to be the "ultimate" way to bring the TWD Universe story to a close. And honestly, she's right. So let's just hope that the creative team feels the same way and makes it happen.
In the meantime, it's clearer than ever that the Walking Dead franchise is alive and well.