This is not a drill, Caryl shippers. Your favorite pair is getting their own show! All good things must come to an end – and that includes The Walking Dead. But this sad news for show fans also brings good news for Carol and Daryl fans.
AMC announced that the series will bow out with a super long final season – 24 episodes. Twelve episodes will air in 2021 and the final 12 in 2022. But, this news (although not surprising because most of the original cast is gone), comes with an announcement of more spinoffs in The Walking Dead Universe.
Carol and Daryl shippers are about to get more than they could have possibly imagined – and they could imagine a lot. The two remaining series originals will get their own spinoff series headed by current showrunner Angela Kang!
This is honestly a very smart move on the part of AMC, since Carol and Daryl are two characters with the largest fanbase as individual characters and as a ship. Each has had moments in their character arcs that have been some of the most poignant scenes in the series.
Norman and Melissa
The spinoff’s main actors Melissa McBride and Norman Reedus chimed in on the big news.
“Of course, I’ve always enjoyed working so closely with Norman throughout these many seasons. In playing Carol, and as a viewer of the show, I’ve also long been intrigued with ‘Daryl and Carol,’ and by what so early on between them, even then, felt somehow bound,” said McBride.
She added that the pair has a long shared history which has kept them close and loyal.
“But there is also a rather mysterious aspect to their fondness for one another that I enjoy, and their playfulness when the world permits. I’m very curious! Angela has a way of shaking things up in great and unexpected ways,” McBride said. “She’s like a kid playing with the dimmer switch! I’m very excited!”
Normal Reedus said that being on The Walking Dead changed his life and that he’s thankful to the network and the show’s incredible fans, adding that there is more story to tell.
“Daryl’s relationship with Carol has always been my favorite relationship on the show (sorry Rick),” Reedus said. “I love the way these characters interact and relate to each other on so many levels and can’t wait to see where their ride goes from here.”
Let them be happy
Caryl has been the slowest burn of all ships, but this begs the question – will we see the two get together by the end of the original series, or will this “will they, won’t they” carry over to the new series?
Honestly, we could handle an entire show of Daryl and Carol in domestic bliss, fighting assholes and zombies as they go. They’ve earned their happiness, and so have their shippers.
More TWD news
The Caryl show (as it shall henceforth be unofficially named) will join other ventures in The Walking Dead universe outside the main show, including Fear the Walking Dead, the upcoming Walking Dead: World Beyond, and The Talking Dead.
AMC also announced that showrunner Scott Gimple will lead another spinoff anthology series, called “Tales of the Walking Dead.” This is exciting because this universe lends itself to so many great stories. We can’t wait to see it.
We need answers!
With the series ending, there will be some burning questions that need to wrap up. It depends on whether or not the young actors who play RJ and Judith will be in the Caryl show. Their auntie and uncle are who Michonne trusted them with, so it would be hard to imagine them going off without the kids. However, if this is to be a clean break from that Alexandria life – will Daryl and Carol leave everyone behind.
But don’t forget we also have a Rick Grimes centered feature film in the works. Could it be that the end of the series means something we’ve longed for in a while? A Grimes family reunion? A lovely cap to that hero’s journey would be to see Rick reunited and happy with Michonne, Judith and RJ.
We already have feels just thinking about Rick seeing his son for the first time.
Less than a month
While TWD fans anxiously wait for the universe to grow, there is still plenty to keep us busy. World Beyond will premiere in less than a month on the same night as the long-awaited Season 10 finale we were waiting for in the spring.
The shows will start at 9 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 4 on AMC.
