The Walking Dead is nearing the end, but there are spin-offs in the works to keep fans going. However, are these red herrings? Let’s break it down.
With The Walking Dead nearing its end, will fan-favorites, Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Carol (Melissa McBride) live to see another adventure – or are their fates sealed?
AMC’s post-apocalyptic drama has concluded the second arc of its eleventh season. As the finale draws closer, fans are diving into speculation overdrive with a number of upcoming spin-offs set to hit their screens. In 2020, it was announced fan-favorites, Daryl and Carol, would be amongst the lucky few to receive their own show – as well as anthology series Tales of the Walking Dead – but has series creator Robert Kirkman pulled a fast one here?
Unlike Tales of the Walking Dead and the recently confirmed Isle of the Dead – headlined by regulars, Lauren Cohan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan – the Daryl and Carol spin-off has very much been kept under wraps. Nothing is known about it, not even a title. Considering it is one of the first to be green lit, it seems strange the network – nor cast – have teased anything. Of course, there may be an embargo on details for now, so technically, any word spreading would be in breach of this.
If these are in fact the lengths they are going to, there could be something pretty groundbreaking in the works – which fans will more than likely love to see. However, viewers are divided on the announcements – particularly with Isle of the Dead and Daryl and Carol Take Atlanta (not a legit title). The confirmation of continuing the story with these four characters practically guarantees them safe passage throughout the remaining episodes. It’s a valid response to have; it lowers the stakes immensely, but AMC are sure to have a few tricks up their sleeve; such a spoiler wouldn’t be revealed so easily.
The amount of ambiguity surrounding the project compared to its companions could actually be a huge indicator that not all is what it seems. Perhaps the future isn’t looking so bright for McBride and Reedus’ survival pair after all. Given the direction of the current season, Daryl appears to be taking on the role held by Andrew Lincoln’s Rick Grimes from the comic series – Lincoln made his departure from the show in 2018. In the final chapter of the graphic novels, Rick meets his demise and turns into a walker, put down by Carl (played by Chandler Riggs) – another character whose TV counterpart saw an early retirement.
Is The Walking Dead sneakily setting up Daryl’s death? A spin-off is a perfect guise to throw suspicion off the scent and keep this under wraps. Daryl has been the underdog from the beginning. He steps out from abusive brother Merle’s (Michael Rooker) shadow and into Rick’s righthand man; he’s proven himself as a trustworthy, loyal ally to his friends, and a noble leader in the latest seasons. Daryl has made many sacrifices over the years, and his bond with Judith (Cailey Fleming) closely emulates the dynamic between Rick and Carl in the comics.
Like Rick, Daryl doesn’t want a war, which is the agenda being pushed as the series follows the source material. Though Aaron (Ross Marquand) has also been molded into a version of Rick, the likelihood of him getting the ax in the finale feels slim. The death of Aaron would be a tragedy, but in comparison to Daryl, he doesn’t quite have the platform to reach an emotional and shocking height worthy of a grand twist. Daryl, however, does. It’d be a timely end to his arc seeing as he always fights for a moral high ground, and order at the Commonwealth is starting to break down.
Daryl’s sacrifice would put a halt to any future productions, unless the spin-off covers blind spots from time-jumps or follows a prequel format. Since McBride and Reedus have signed on, the most obvious choice of direction would be forward rather than backwards, so ruling out a prequel is highly plausible. Let’s break down the specifics though: Reedus and McBride are onboard, there’s currently no script, a schedule is still unclear, and there’s been no word on which stage pre-production is at.
Tales of the Walking Dead has a cast of notable names, recently finished filming, and is due to air sometime in 2022. Isle of the Dead is set to begin shooting in July this year – mere months after its announcement – and will center around Cohan’s Maggie and Morgan’s Negan. While fans eagerly await news on the ‘Caryl’ series, they haven’t forgotten about another project left in the dark – Andrew Lincoln’s feature trilogy, which has been circulating production for nearly four years.
Before getting too hasty, the Daryl/Carol spin-off could indeed be in the works – no need to spiral into a mournful panic over the crossbow-wielding favorite just yet. Although, if Kirkman is playing his hand and throwing the scent from a certain death, his efforts can only be applauded. As much as fans adore the dynamic between McBride and Reedus, it’d be a fitting climax to either of their characters to wrap up loose ends in The Walking Dead.
NEXT: The Walking Dead: Could Andrew Lincoln Be Returning for the Finale?
About The Walking Dead
Based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman, this gritty drama portrays life in the months and years that follow a zombie apocalypse. A group of survivors travel in search of safety and security, constantly on the move in search of a secure home. But the pressure each day to stay alive sends many in the group to the deepest depths of human cruelty, and they soon discover that the overwhelming fear of the survivors can be more deadly than the zombies walking among them. At times, the interpersonal conflicts present a greater threat to their continuing survival than the walkers that roam the country.
The Walking Dead will conclude with the end of season 11 in 2022.
Jenna is a Film and Visual Culture graduate and freelance entertainment writer from Scotland. Her passion lies with TV and horror, where she will take any opportunity to geek out. Jenna spends her free time binging shows and looking to be spooked.