The Walking Dead Prequel to End, New Series to Come

At its TCA Press Tour session, AMC Networks revealed, among other news, that Fear the Walking Dead will end with its eighth season as the company prepares to launch three new spin-offs.

Fear the Walking Dead’s final season will roll out in two parts, with the first set for May 14 on AMC and AMC+. The Walking Dead: Dead City, starring Lauren Cohan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, is slated to premiere in June, followed by The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, led by Norman Reedus, later this year.

The Walking Dead: Dead City follows Maggie and Negan as they travel into a post apocalyptic Manhattan, long ago cut off from the mainland. The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, meanwhile, sees Daryl wash ashore in France and struggle to piece together how he got there and why.

Another spin-off, starring Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira as The Walking Dead characters Rick Grimes and Michonne, will go into production this year and premiere in 2024. The series presents the love story of Grimes and Michonne.

“It’s a truly exciting year for The Walking Dead Universe, as we conclude an epic journey on Fear the Walking Dead, which became one of the most successful shows in the history of cable television,” said Dan McDermott, president of entertainment and AMC Studios at AMC Networks. “And now we are set to bring forth the next iteration of the franchise—two new and anticipated series featuring the beloved characters of Maggie, Negan and Daryl. Along with that, we begin production on the next chapter in Rick and Michonne’s unforgettable love story, which we look forward to sharing next year. This next phase of our beloved Walking Dead franchise promises to engage and enthrall faithful viewers. Fans new and old will love seeing zombies walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, beneath the Eiffel Tower, inside the Louvre and at dozens more exotic and iconic locations from around the country and world.”

Scott M. Gimple, chief content officer of The Walking Dead Universe said, “The Walking Dead Universe LIVES! To conclude Fear the Walking Dead, we’re thrilled to be bringing you one of its most vibrant, inventive, exciting seasons EVER, while breaking new ground with old favorites: Maggie and Negan in the madhouse of postapocalyptic Manhattan with no one to depend on but each other, Daryl Dixon in France, a loner who cannot move through this new dangerous world alone, facing vicious enemies and never-seen-before threats of the undead. And Rick and Michonne, in a romantic saga of the dangerous road to each other and the road they must find with each other, cornered by a new civilization and hordes of the dead. Lauren Cohan, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, showrunner Eli Jorné, Norman Reedus, showrunner David Zabel, Danai Gurira and Andrew Lincoln are creating heart-wrenching, heart-pounding magic for the next phase of the TWDU!”

AMC Networks also unveiled that it has acquired the rights to the Bannerman spy book series written by John Maxim. The novels are being developed by Shane Black (Lethal Weapon, Ironman), Greg Nicotero (The Walking Dead, Creepshow) and Brian Witten (Creepshow, Friday the 13th). The first novel, Bannerman Solution, sees top covert operative Paul Bannerman become an unpredictable loose cannon that could irreparably damage America’s intelligence structure.

“Maxim is an untapped national treasure, and AMC provides a proper fit,” Black said. “It’s time.”

Nicotero added, “I read this entire series years ago and found the contrasting worlds of these dark and tortured souls desperate to live normal lives quite compelling. To partner with Shane on this, who shares the same passion that I do for the books, takes this project to a whole other level.”

AMC Networks announced the spring premiere dates for new original series and films at its TCA Press Tour presentation as well. On Acorn TV, Dalgliesh season two will debut in April, Mrs. Sidhu Investigates will premiere in May and Cannes Confidential will drop in the spring. On ALLBLK, Double Cross season four will bow on February 16, Omega: Gift and Curse will debut on March 6 and Judge Me Not will air in May. Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches sees new episodes premiere Sundays on AMC and on Thursdays on AMC+.

Also on AMC and AMC+, Lucky Hank (formerly known as Straight Man) will premiere on March 19, Fear the Walking Dead will drop on May 14 and The Walking Dead: Dead City will come in June. BBC America will debut Chasing the Rains on April 22 and a month later will premiere Happy Valley season three. HIDIVE, meanwhile, will see Oshi no Ko bow in April.

IFC will see two new series premieres in the coming months: Hullraisers in April and SisterS in May. Shudder will see the debut of the series Slasher: Ripper on April 6 and the film From Black on April 13. Sundance Now will host the premieres of Black Snow (February); Totally, Completely Fine (April); and Clean Sweep (spring).

Lastly, WE tv will debut a new season of Life After Lockup on February 24, Omega: Gift and Curse on March 2, Grown & Gospel in March and a new season of Brat Loves Judy in April.