It is a confusing time to follow The Walking Dead. A few major upsets had fans wondering if Season 9 might break from the comic entirely, but first photos from the Georgia set tease a strange new (albeit familiar) look for the AMC zombie drama. Is that time-jump happening after all?
What does Rick Grimes’ facial hair look like on the big screen? Walking Dead and Fear fans alike will get the chance to find out, as AMC is sending April’s big Season 8 finale and Fear premiere to theaters for one night only.
The Walking Dead has returned for 2018, at last confirming that huge death hanging over the series. The moment also had the unexpected side-effect of dismissing a huge time-jump from the comics, but producers say “Old Man Rick” and a major status quo update may still take place.
Soft ratings on The Walking Dead Season 8 have raised questions of the series longevity, and we at last have an answer. The flagship AMC drama will return for a ninth season with (most of) its cast intact, though Angela Yang will take over for Scott Gimple as showrunner.
Curious changes are afoot at The Walking Dead, especially as the show’s eighth season has seen some notably tempered ratings. Sunday’s midseason finale also averaged some of the show’s worst numbers since Season 2, and – given the hour’s big twist and some contractual holdups – we had to ask: Is The Walking Dead’s future in question?
We’re accustomed to death on The Walking Dead, and doubly-so when the comics provide a road map. That’s what made that climactic bite in Sunday’s midseason finale such a shocker, and – before you ask – both producers and the actor in question confirm the character’s exit, noting “[That bite] is a one-way ticket.”
Time is a curious thing on The Walking Dead, as where some seasons jump months at a time, others pick up seconds later. That’s made Maggie’s Season 6 pregnancy difficult to chart, but word of whether we’ll meet the little tyke in Season 8 might hint at a major change to come.
It’s easy to chalk up ex-Walking Dead showrunner Frank Darabont’s legal battles with AMC to growing pains, but it’s something else when all Walking Dead producers turn on the network. AMC has been slapped with lawsuits from Robert Kirkman, Gale Ann Hurd, David Alpert and Glen Mazzara, all alleging similar profit-scheming.