David Zabel’s new overall deal with AMC Studios is not an announcement of new Walking Dead spinoffs, but it is exactly the kind of behind-the-scenes move that makes future expansion possible.
The Daryl Dixon creator and showrunner, who helped steer one of the franchise’s most ambitious modern entries, has officially signed a new overall agreement with AMC Studios. At the same time, he is expanding into new territory outside the franchise, with a cop drama in development at Netflix through Scott Free Productions.
On the surface, the AMC deal is a standard industry deal for a successful showrunner. But when viewed through the lens of The Walking Dead universe, it naturally raises a question fans and observers can’t help but consider. Could this deal eventually lead to more spinoffs down the line?
A key creative voice in the modern Walking Dead era
Zabel is closely associated with The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, a series that marked a significant shift for the franchise. Instead of remaining rooted in the familiar American apocalypse, the show expanded its scope internationally. Viewers follow Daryl Dixon, played by Norman Reedus, as he navigates a new world in Europe. Carol Peletier, portrayed by Melissa McBride, joined Daryl in the second season.
The zombie series not only changed the scenery, but it also changed the tone and scale of what a Walking Dead spinoff could look like. Filmed across France in earlier seasons and later expanding into Spain, Daryl Dixon demonstrated that the franchise still had room to grow in bold, unexpected directions.
Zabel’s leadership on that project is part of why his new AMC deal stands out. He is not just another showrunner in the system. He is someone who has already helped redefine how the franchise can evolve. Even without any official indication, it’s easy to see why his deal with AMC sparks conversation about potential Walking Dead expansion.
The franchise has already built a multi-series structure, branching into different characters, timelines, and tonal approaches. Once a universe reaches that stage, future growth often depends less on a single flagship plan and more on maintaining a stable pool of trusted creators who can develop new stories when the timing is right.
Zabel fits into that ecosystem. His experience with Daryl Dixon shows he understands both the legacy of the franchise and how to push it into new territory without losing its identity. So while there is no confirmed development or reported plans for another Zabel-led Walking Dead spinoff, his continued relationship with AMC naturally keeps that possibility in the background.
If the network were to decide at some point to expand The Walking Dead universe again, having Zabel already under contract makes that process easier. It doesn’t guarantee anything, but it does keep collaboration pathways open.
Overall, AMC has been hush-hush on what's next for The Walking Dead franchise. The only thing we know for certain is that Daryl Dixon is about to end its run with its fourth and final season in 2026, and that Dead City season 3 is expected to premiere sometime in the summer of this year as well.
There have been rumors of a Walking Dead crossover spinoff that could reunite all our favorite characters from various Walking Dead shows. But again, that's just a rumor. More recently, there's been another rumor swirling around of a Walking Dead revival series. It is believed to bring back the entire main cast. However, nothing official has been announced by AMC regarding either project.
Now that Zabel has signed a new deal with the network, maybe he might take on one of these rumored shows if either ever becomes a reality. That would be exciting! But for now, nothing has been confirmed. Sadly, fans will simply have to keep waiting to see what AMC ultimately decides to do about the future of The Walking Dead.
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