Summary
The Walking Deadis a beloved franchise, with fans constantly eager to learn new and exciting updates about what’s next, especially in the wake of three separate spin-off shows,Dead City,Daryl Dixon, andThe Ones Who Liveall recently premiering within the space of seven months.
As a result, there was a lot of buzz about what the cast and crew would announce in theirtwo separate panels forDaryl Dixon - The Book of CarolandDead CitySeason 2, in Hall H ofSan Diego Comic-Con2024. Screen Rant were at SDCC to provide all the latest coverage.
September 29th, 2024
2025
What’s Up With Daryl Dixon’s Glowing Zombies: New Walking Dead Variant Explained
The trailer for Daryl Dixon: The Book of Carol revealed at San Diego Comic-Con 2024 just introduced another variant to the franchise.
10Daryl Dixon Season 3 Announced
Slated For Release in 2025
WithDaryl Dixon - The Book of Carolset to be released in September 2024, there were many updates about what the second season of the spinoff about the titular character would have in store. However, the main takeaway from the panel was that, even thoughThe Book of Carolhas not yet premiered, theDaryl Dixonspinoff has already been renewed for a third season, with filming expected to start within a matter of weeks. Season 1 saw Daryl (Norman Reedus) sent to France, with season 2 set to reintroduce Carol (Melissa McBride) as she attempts to find him.
While little is known about the details of season 3, Reedus shared in an interview that it would be set in Spain to “keep it fresh” as both Daryl and Carol try and find their way home to the US (viaVariety). Setting season 3 in a new location hints at the show continuing to explore how the rest of the world is coping with the walker apocalypse, providing new and exciting adventures for the characters to embark upon. Set to be released in 2025, season 3 of Daryl Dixon looks likeit could bethe most unique project ofThe Walking Deadyet.
9Lucille Is Back
Batter Up!
She’s back! One of the most iconic weapons ofThe Walking Deadfranchise (and television in general) will be making a return in Season 2 ofDead City, starring Lauren Cohan as Maggie and Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan. The barbed wire-covered baseball bat, Lucille, has been the end of many a walker (and human), and was instrumental in introducing Negan as his weapon of choice at the end ofThe Walking DeadSeason 6. WhileNegan burned the original Lucille at the end of Season 10, theSDCC trailer forDead CitySeason 2depicts the character wielding it once more.
It is very interesting to see one of the most emotional scenes of the franchise retconned in this way. However, fans will be looking forward to seeing one of the coolest fictional weapons back in action in the second season ofDead City. Whether Negan will be wielding Lucille 2.0 as a means to continue his redemption arc or fall back into his old villainous ways, there is doubt that the return of the iconic bat means that Season 2 will be full of heart-pumping, walker-fueled action.
8A Return To Villainy For Negan
Or Will He Continue On His Redemption Path?
Besides Lucille making her return in season 2 ofDead City, the trailer appears to hint at more changes coming Negan’s way. Negan was redeeming himself across multiple seasons ofThe Walking Dead, yet the ending ofDead CitySeason 1 saw him having to bend to the will of The Dama, helping her maintain her ruthless grip on power in New York. The trailer for season 2 seesNegan apparently embracing this villainous return to formas he dons his leather jacket and performs the iconic, but no-less-chilling whistle that fans had come to fear inThe Walking Dead.
Whatever one’s feelings towards this apparent return to villainy, there is no denying that it makes for an intriguing premise forDead CitySeason 2. After all, Negan is only assisting The Dama to protect Maggie’s son, Hershel (Logan Kim), so it can’t be said for sure that he is acting this way out of pure malice. Wherever Negan’s story goes, it is certain to be a captivating, character-focused tale that is sure to convince many fans to tune in when Season 2 ofDead Cityreleases in 2025.
7First Look At Carol and Daryl’s Reunion
Emotions Will Run High
The dynamic of Carol and Daryl’s relationship wasone of the most compelling parts ofThe Walking Dead, although the two characters haven’t shared the screen for over three years. As the name suggests, the trailer forDaryl Dixon - The Book of Carol, finally teases the reunion that fans have been waiting for. Daryl is portrayed as settling into his new home at Mont-Saint Michel, while Carol is still in the US, preparing to find him.
As Daryl and Carol’s paths in the trailer edge closer to one another, the ending truly delivers. Daryl is in the foreground while an out-of-focus Carol walks towards him. Given the closeness of the two characters, their reunion inThe Book of Carollooks to be a moment of high emotion, with tears more than likely to be shed by characters and fans alike.Daryl and Carol’s reunionwill be the main selling point of the second season, with fans flocking to their screens to see the return ofone of the coolest dynamics of theWalking Deadfranchise.
6How Carol Gets To Europe
And What It Means For Future Spinoffs
The Book of Caroltrailer also plays a crucial role in revealing just how Carol was able to get across the Atlantic to reunite with Daryl in France. The trailer shows Carol with a new character, Ash (Manish Dayal) as he discussesthe two of them flying a plane across the ocean. The plane in question is very small, and powered only by propellers. A frenzied looking rush to get into the aircraft ends with Carol and Ash taking off, killing a walker with the propeller in the process.
The introduction of a plane toThe Walking Deaduniverse not only reveals how Carol is able to see Daryl again, but also has interesting implications for the future of the franchise. The plane in question could be used to explore further parts of the world, especially since season 3 ofDaryl Dixonwill be set in Spain, and it is likely to be involved in eventually getting Daryl and Carol back to the US. It’s a small yet important detail of the trailer that may prove to be very significant inThe Walking Dead’s future.
5A Daryl-Rick Reunion Is In The Cards
But It Is Unlikely To Happen Anytime Soon
Ever since Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) left The Walking Dead in season 9, fans have not only been eager to see him back in action (with Lincoln eventually returning as Rick for The Ones Who Live earlier this year), but are desperate to see him reunite with Daryl. In a response to a question about apotential Daryl-Rick reunion during SDCC,Daryl Dixonshowrunner David Zabel refused to rule it out, stating:
“I think it’s safe to say … that we hope the characters find some way toreconnect”
Rick and Daryl sharing the screen again would mean the return of arguably the coolest duo in the franchise, and, with the introduction of the plane inDaryl Dixonseason 2, who is to say that the two heroes won’t cross paths in the future? Of course, season 3 ofDaryl Dixonhas been confirmed to be set in Spain, and Rick is still in the US, but asThe Walking Deadproducers have signaled their intention to bring the two characters back together,it may be a question of when, not if, we will see them back in action.
Maggie’s Actress Will Direct Two Episodes Of The Second Season
Lauren Cohan has been one ofThe Walking Deadfranchise’s longest serving actors, portraying Maggie since the second season of the original show. Her role expanded during the first season ofDead City, with both Cohan andco-star Jeffrey Dean Morganbeing executive producers. However, Cohan looks set to make her directorial debut in Season 2 ofDead City, directing two episodes, and she spoke about her experiences of being a director during the show’s panel in SDCC Hall H.
“It’s the most humbling experience I’ve ever had in my entire life. It was so incredible.”
AsDead Cityfocuses heavily on Maggie and her relationship with Negan and her son, the decision to put Cohan in the director’s chair is sure to excite fans. Cohan’s deep understanding of Maggie’s character is sure to add an extra layer of depth to her directing, one that has the potential to produce some of the most captivating episodes ofThe Walking Deadfranchise yet. It is also encouraging to see Cohan given this level of senior production power over a franchise that she has been involved in for well over a decade.
3Carol Has Been Using Daryl’s Crossbow
A Testament To Their Friendship
Daryl’s crossbow has been a staple of the character since his introduction inThe Walking DeadSeason 1, finding itself alongside Lucille and Rick’s revolver as one of the most iconic weapons of the franchise. However,Daryl DixonSeason 1 sawa change to Daryl’s arsenal, with the character primarily wielding a flail for most of the season. Fear not, though, the crossbow still has a part to play inThe Walking Deadfranchise, with the trailer forThe Book of Carolshowing Carol using the iconic weapon.
Whether Carol keeps the crossbow permanently or returns it to Daryl when the two reunite remains to be seen. What is for certain is that Carol wielding the crossbow demonstrates just how much she cares about Daryl, with the weapon likely acting as a symbol of their unbreakable bonds of friendship. The reintroduction of the crossbow also means that fans can surely look forward toDaryl Dixon: The Book of Carolbeing full of action.
Action From The Very Start
When asked about the story ofDead Cityseason 2, Gaius Charles (who portraysPerlie Armstrong, a secondary antagonist of the first season) stated that the conflict over The Croat’s (Željko Ivanek) vast methane supplies isgoing to reach a boiling point. In fact, Charles revealed to audiences in SDCC Hall H that from the very first episode ofDead City’s new season, The New Babylon Federation will be going to war to get their hands on some of the precious gas. In a move that is likely to have fans tuning in from the very start, Charles stated that:
“It gets pretty intense pretty quick”
The scarcity of resources has previously provided some of the most intriguing storylines inThe Walking Deadfranchise, particularly the storyline about Negan and the Saviors exploiting Rick’s group for food and supplies. The value of methane inDead Citycannot be overstated, as it provides fuel for heating and electricity, among many other uses. This implies that the upcoming war is likely to be a high-stakes conflict full of non-stop action, takingDead City’s storyline in a very bloody and interesting direction.
1The Croat’s Backstory Will Be Explored
Crafting a Complex Villain
One ofDead CitySeason 1’s most significant characters was The Croat, the primary antagonist of the show who is responsible for kidnapping Maggie’s son, Hershel, and setting the overall story in motion. When asked about his character’s role in Season 2, Željko Ivanek revealed that fans will learn more about the character’s backstory. In particular, Ivanek stated that The Croat’s sudden shift from ruthless villain to a “peoplepleasing child” is likely to be explained in detail (viaFansided).
The Walking Deadfranchise has a history of revealing a villain’s backstory to make them more complex and endearing to audiences. Whether that’s the death of The Governor’s family or Negan naming Lucille after his wife, whatever The Croat’s background is likely to establish him as a very compelling villain. By adding this level of complexity to The Croat,Dead CitySeason 2 looks to be one of the most richly character-driven seasons of the entire franchise.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon
Cast
In a post-apocalyptic France, the series follows Daryl Dixon as he navigates the complexities of a new landscape. Separated from his familiar world, Daryl faces unexpected challenges and forges new alliances while confronting the lingering threats of a walker-infested reality.
The Walking Dead: Dead City
A spin-off/sequel of the dramatic horror series, The Walking Dead: Dead City follows two significant characters from the main series - Maggie and Negan.
