Scott M. Gimple hints at a potential return for The Walking Dead to its original format of longer seasons, despite the franchise’s current focus on shorter spinoff series. Since its inception, which began with the adaptation of Robert Kirkman’s celebrated graphic novel, this expansive post-apocalyptic universe has expanded to include six spinoffs, most notably the ongoing series, Dead City and Daryl Dixon. Additionally, there are rumors about new projects in the works, including More Tales from the Walking Dead Universe, which was announced in April 2023 but has not produced any further updates since its announcement.
In a recent interview with The Direct at Multicon, Gimple discussed the future of the Walking Dead franchise beyond its current offerings. When questioned about the possibility of revisiting the originally planned movie series, he stated that it was “less likely,” but there are ongoing discussions about returning to the initial lengthy episode structure. Gimple elaborated on the show’s evolving formats:
I mean, I would just say different formats… They’re always in our minds and, you know, is it a six-hour, is it a two-hour, is it a… my dream would be another 16-hour-a-year series. We’re talking about that. Feature films… probably less likely. But different ways that we do the show, we have to do it and we will.
The Prospects for The Walking Dead’s Future
AMC’s Search for a New Flagship Series
Since the conclusion of both the main series and Fear the Walking Dead, the franchise finds itself at a pivotal crossroads. Unlike other interconnected television universes such as Law & Order or Star Trek, which maintain a robust long-running series alongside shorter spinoffs, The Walking Dead has veered into a territory dominated by brief episodic arcs. The most recent spinoff, Dead City, is set to return for a second season comprised of only eight episodes, marking the longest recent series in the franchise.
With the success of Daryl Dixon gaining momentum since its launch, and Dead City‘s favorable reception, it is likely that both series will continue for additional seasons. However, with no major projects currently confirmed, it appears that AMC is in search of a new central show to propel the franchise forward.
The most feasible option for revitalizing the long-form show format may involve merging narratives from existing spinoffs. The upcoming series The Ones Who Live, focused on Rick and Michonne, was initially slated as a trilogy of films but culminates with their reunion, leaving some characters from the original series still distant. Both Dead City and Daryl Dixon are set in locations far removed from Alexandria and the Commonwealth, suggesting that a narrative focusing on their reunification could pave the way for a new long-form series.
Analyzing The Potential Return to Longer Episodes
Diversification of the Cast: A Key Path Forward
Given how the latter seasons of the original series often felt prolonged with their extensive runtimes of 16 to 24 episodes, I have reservations about a potential return to a longer episode structure for The Walking Dead. However, if the new incarnation were to pivot its focus away from familiar characters, exploring uncharted territories within the post-apocalyptic landscape, I believe this could rejuvenate the franchise and justify another long-form series.
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