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As one of AMC’s biggest hits, it makes sense that there would be a strong desire to continue The Walking Dead into a season 12, however not moving forward with another season might have saved the series from going down a bad path. The Walking Dead ended in 2022 with season 11 as its final season. Now, The Walking Dead franchise is continuing on with a series of spinoff shows, centering characters like Maggie and Negan, Rick and Michonne, and fan-favorite Daryl Dixon.
Although it is a disappointment when any beloved series ends, typically it is for the best. In terms of The Walking Dead, the show ran for about 12 years, and in that time, presented some outstanding and memorable television. However, like any long-running series, the show wasn’t always at its best, especially as original cast members left or were killed off. Overall, based on the original plan for The Walking Dead season 12, it’s likely a good thing the show concluded when it did.
The Walking Dead’s Season 12 Plans Were… Not Good
According to Lauren Cohan who played Maggie on The Walking Dead from season 2 on, there was talk about continuing the series past season 11, though in a very different way. After season 10, executive producer Scott Gimple asked Cohan if she would be interested in leading The Walking Dead as Maggie alongside Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s Negan for another four years. Aside from the fact that the show would have run another four seasons, the most significant part of this plan was that Norman Reedus’ Daryl Dixon would leave the show in favor of his spinoff.
Although Cohan and Morgan were eventually placed in The Walking Dead: Dead City and the original The Walking Dead ended with season 11, the prospect of the series continuing without Daryl is scary. By season 11, both Andrew Lincoln (Rick Grimes) and Danai Gurira (Michonne) had already left the series, and if this plan had followed through, Reedus would also leave. Then, Cohan and Morgan would have been some of the only remaining, long-running cast members. Without Daryl, what would The Walking Dead have even looked like?
Walking Dead Spinoffs Are Much Better Than Season 12’s Plan
Overall, the direction The Walking Dead ended up taking is much better than their season 12 plan. Daryl Dixon will remain an integral part of the franchise alongside the series’ other major characters in their respective spinoffs. By doing choosing to do spinoffs rather than four more seasons, the franchise gets to hold onto their fan-favorite characters without having to extend the same old The Walking Dead narrative. The upcoming Walking Dead shows allow for a mix of familiarity and change, wherein beloved characters return and present an entirely new side of The Walking Dead world.
This exploring the world aspect of the spinoffs is exactly what makes them a good choice as well. Over eleven seasons, The Walking Dead created a vast story and network, but it wasn’t really able to explore much beyond the American South. With these spinoffs however, the franchise has the chance to extend their worldview and write new stories that are different, and therefore, fresh. As Maggie and Negan set off to New York and Daryl to France, The Walking Dead has the freedom to create entirely new worlds with their characters already prepared to lead the way.
Could The Walking Dead Really Have Continued Without Daryl Dixon?
The Walking Dead could have continued without Daryl Dixon, however it would have been a much different show. Daryl’s character is not just a fan-favorite, but also the heart of the show in some ways. Over 11 seasons, he has become iconic. Furthermore, Daryl’s exit would have been another major blow in terms of major characters leaving the show. Typically, when a show loses a great number of its original cast, the series loses the magic that made it popular in the first place. Therefore, it seems likely that The Walking Dead could have survived without Daryl, but would’ve suffered greatly without him in terms of audience and tone.
Fortunately, The Walking Dead did not pursue its season 12 plans, and because of that, Daryl, Rick, and many other beloved characters will continue the franchise in new ways. These spinoffs are not just a great alternative to a season 12, but also provide the chance for The Walking Dead to expand in exciting ways. All in all, the magic of the hit series won’t be lost and the sacrifice of beloved characters isn’t necessary as The Walking Dead enters a brand-new era.
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