Well, folks, that’s it for AMC’s The Walking Dead.
The network announced today that the upcoming 11th season will be the last for the once-huge zombie drama. The series is currently in its 10th season, though its release was put on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This current season will air its epic finale in October and then all eyes are on the concluding season 11 which will begin airing next year.
But here’s the thing: AMC says that the final season of TWD will be a whopping 24 episodes (typical seasons of the show last for 16) and it’ll be stretched out over two years. What’s more, once The Walking Dead concludes, AMC is planning a spin-off series revolving around fan favorite characters Daryl and Carol (Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride). That new show will be in addition to the teen-led The Walking Dead: World Beyond which begins airing its two seasons in October. It’s also in addition to Fear the Walking Dead. Oh, and it’ll be in addition to another just-announced TWD spin-off, Tales from The Walking Dead, which will be an anthology series about new and old Dead characters.
Think that’s all? Nope! Deadline also hears word that more TWD shows are in development.
So while The Walking Dead show is ending, there are at least four — FOUR! — other shows in the Deadverse to keep fans happy.
Seriously, what the hell is going on with ‘The Walking Dead’?
The Walking Dead was once the biggest show on TV but its ratings and critical reception waned over the years. Yet the show remained AMC’s flagship series and still did decent numbers. It’s no surprise that the network wants to stay in the Walking Dead business. But four, possibly five, Dead shows in development? Good golly, that’s a lot of zombies.
It would be one thing if AMC did something remotely different with each series. But they all feel so similar, sharing the same look, feel and tone. There is very little difference between each show; they’re not just siblings, they’re twins.
Oh, and don’t forget that AMC and Universal are currently developing three big screen movies about The Walking Dead hero, Rick Grimes. Those projects are currently in the writing phase.
Let’s be honest: The Walking Dead will never truly end.