Back in 2010, AMC would change network television forever with the release of The Walking Dead season 1. Unknowingly, audiences were about to enter a post-apocalyptic world that would encompass years' worth of storytelling and multiple spin-off shows starring the fiercest and most iconic survivors. In 2026, the franchise achieved an impressive 16-year record of annual releases thanks to The Walking Dead: Dead City season 3. Furthermore, the streak will be expanded into 2027 with the impending arrival of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 4.
Fans just witnessed the latest chapter in Negan and Maggie's story, and now they are gearing up to discover whether Daryl and Carol will finally make it back home after sightseeing in Europe. However, there's one very important question that has started to become more significant in the last few months: What's next for the world of The Walking Dead? Unfortunately, a concrete answer still eludes us, and things are more uncertain now that Dead City season 3 has come and gone.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon is the only TWD project confirmed now that Dead City season 3 has ended
Warning: There will be mild spoilers for the end of The Walking Dead: Dead City season 3 ahead.
On Sunday, Sep. 13, 2026, audiences witnessed the third season finale of The Walking Dead: Dead City. The beloved spin-off show hasn't been renewed for a fourth season yet, although episode 8 certainly left things on an open-ended note. This suggests Maggie and Negan will be back for more adventures, but we don't know when this will happen.
The only confirmed The Walking Dead release for the time being is Daryl Dixon season 4, which is set to act as the show's final chapter. After that, Carol and Daryl won't grace our TV screens year after year, as they have been doing since 2023. To make matters more complicated, the future is completely uncertain beyond that point, but there's one saving grace.
During an interview with The Direct, AMC's Chief Content Officer of The Walking Dead Universe, Scott M. Gimple, confirmed that the post-apocalyptic franchise will always be an integral part of AMC and its productions:
"There's definitely going to be more series, both shorter things and ongoing things. But it'll probably be a bit... the rollout will be slightly slower... But the urgency and the speed, like 'Get it out, get it out, get it out.' It's just a different time, but that time does allow us to get it right."
The slower rollout could mean the 17-year uninterrupted streak of TWD releases may finally come to an end, especially if AMC takes time to decide what the future holds for the franchise now that most spin-off shows are over or nearing their end. The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live and The Walking Dead: World Beyond have concluded their runs, and The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon will join them next year. Furthermore, the fate of Tales of the Walking Dead remains uncertain. So what will the next steps look like?
Fans have been asking for a reunion project for years now, so it's very likely that AMC has at least considered the possibility. Furthermore, Lauren Cohan, who portrays Maggie Greene, has talked about how there are many "outside the box" ideas for a potential fourth season of The Walking Dead: Dead City. Additionally, there's always a chance that Tales of the Walking Dead will make an unexpected comeback with a second season.
Andrew Lincoln, who plays Rick Grimes, has repeatedly teased that his character's story is far from over. On the one hand, this could be a sign that we'll see him return in yet another spin-off project of his own. However, the most likely possibility is that Rick will be back in the long-awaited reunion project, alongside the likes of Daryl, Carol, Michonne, Negan, and Maggie. If that ever comes to be, hopefully it will be a longer show that goes back to 16 episodes per season (because it never hurts to dream).
On the bright side, New York Comic-Con is just around the corner, and AMC could decide to make a surprise announcement regarding the future of The Walking Dead there. If that doesn't happen, then chances are we'll know more about the franchise in 2027. Either way, there will be even more TWD content coming our way, even if that means the 17-year streak comes to an end.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon will be released in 2027.
Add us as a preferred source on Google