This article is about the Original TV Series. For other pages with the same name, see: The Walking Dead Television Universe |
The Walking Dead is an American post-apocalyptic horror drama television series based on the comic book series of the same name by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard. Together, the show and the comic book series form the core of The Walking Dead television universe. The series features a large ensemble cast as survivors of a zombie apocalypse trying to stay alive under near-constant threat of attacks from zombies known as "walkers". With the collapse of modern civilization, these survivors must confront other human survivors who have formed groups and communities with their own sets of laws and morals, sometimes leading to open conflict between them. The series is the first television series within The Walking Dead franchise.
The Walking Dead premiered on October 31, 2010. It was exclusively broadcast on cable channel AMC in the United States and internationally through the Fox Networks Group and Disney+. The series concluded on November 20, 2022, after eleven seasons and 177 episodes. Andrew Lincoln played the lead character of Rick Grimes until his departure from the show in the ninth season. Other long-standing cast members included Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Chandler Riggs, Melissa McBride, Lauren Cohan, Danai Gurira, Josh McDermitt, Christian Serratos, Seth Gilliam, Ross Marquand and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. The Walking Dead was produced by AMC Studios in the state of Georgia, with most filming having taken place in the outdoor spaces of Riverwood Studios near Senoia, Georgia.
The Walking Dead became known as AMC's flagship series[1][2] and as a ratings juggernaut.[3][4] Beginning with its third season, The Walking Dead attracted the most 18- to 49-year-old viewers of any cable or broadcast television series. The series was positively received by critics.[5] It was nominated for several awards, including the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series – Drama and the Writers Guild of America Award for New Series.[6][7] The show's viewership declined during later seasons.
AMC has created a franchise of related media, including the spin-off series Fear the Walking Dead (2015-23), The Walking Dead: World Beyond (2020-21), Tales of the Walking Dead (2022), The Walking Dead: Dead City (2023-Present) and The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon (2023-Present) as well as several webisodes and video games. An additional spin-off has been announced: The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live (2024).
Series Overview
The Walking Dead takes place after the onset of a worldwide zombie apocalypse. The zombies, referred to as "walkers", shamble towards living humans and other creatures to eat them; they are attracted to noise, such as gunshots, and to different scents, e.g. humans. Although it initially seems that only humans that are bitten or scratched by walkers can turn into other walkers, it is revealed early in the series that all living humans carry the pathogen responsible for the mutation; therefore, anyone who dies will reanimate as a walker. The mutation is activated after the death of the pathogen's host, and the only way to permanently kill a walker is to damage its brain or destroy the body entirely, such as by cremating it.
Initially, the series centers on sheriff's deputy Rick Grimes, who wakes up from a coma in the first episode of the series. While Rick is comatose, the world has been taken over by walkers. He becomes the leader of a group of survivors from the Atlanta, Georgia, region as they attempt to sustain and protect themselves against attacks by walkers and against other groups of survivors willing to use any means necessary to stay alive.
Season | Episodes | Originally aired | ||
---|---|---|---|---|
First aired | Last aired | |||
1 | 6 | October 31, 2010 | December 5, 2010 | |
2 | 13 | October 16, 2011 | March 18, 2012 | |
3 | 16 | October 14, 2012 | March 31, 2013 | |
4 | 16 | October 13, 2013 | March 30, 2014 | |
5 | 16 | October 12, 2014 | March 29, 2015 | |
6 | 16 | October 11, 2015 | April 3, 2016 | |
7 | 16 | October 23, 2016 | April 2, 2017 | |
8 | 16 | October 22, 2017 | April 15, 2018 | |
9 | 16 | October 7, 2018 | March 31, 2019 | |
10 | 22 | October 6, 2019 | April 4, 2021 | |
11 | 24 | August 22, 2021 | November 20, 2022 |
Season 1 (2010)
- Main article: Season 1 (TV Series)
When sheriff's deputy Rick Grimes of King County, Georgia, wakes from a coma, he discovers the world has been overrun by zombies ("walkers"). After befriending Morgan Jones, Rick travels alone to Atlanta before finding his wife Lori, son Carl, and his police partner and best friend Shane Walsh in the woods with other survivors. After being attacked by walkers at night, the whole group travels back to Atlanta to the Center for Disease Control (CDC) building, but find from the sole remaining scientist that no cure yet exists for the pandemic.[8][9]
Season 2 (2011-12)
- Main article: Season 2 (TV Series)
Rick's group, searching for Carol's missing daughter, Sophia, takes shelter at a farm run by Hershel Greene. Tensions with Hershel's family worsen after it is discovered that he has a barn full of walkers: former friends and family members. Rick learns that Shane and Lori were romantically involved while he was in a coma, and that Lori is pregnant. Shane and Rick's friendship deteriorates, until Rick is forced to kill Shane in self-defense. The commotion attracts walkers to the farm, forcing Rick's group and Hershel's family to evacuate.[10]
Season 3 (2012-13)
- Main article: Season 3 (TV Series)
Eight months after fleeing the farm, Rick's group—sans Andrea—finds a remote prison, which they make their new home after clearing it of walkers. Lori dies from an emergency C section, and Rick starts to become unhinged and hallucinate. Andrea was rescued by Michonne and the two discover Woodbury, a fortified town led by a deceitful man known as "the Governor" who seeks to destroy the group at the prison. Conflict erupts between the two groups leading to the fall of Woodbury, but the Governor kills Andrea and escapes. The remaining citizens of Woodbury move into the prison.[11]
Season 4 (2013-14)
- Main article: Season 4 (TV Series)
Several months after the Governor's attack, a deadly flu kills many of the people at the prison. The Governor finds Martinez, his former right-hand man and kills him, taking over his group before leading them into the prison. Rick's group is forced to separate and flee, while Hershel and the Governor are killed. The scattered survivors try to find each other and make new acquaintances. They all find numerous signs pointing to a safe haven called Terminus. Group by group, they reunite at Terminus, but Rick's group, sans Carol, is captured for an unknown purpose.[12]
Season 5 (2014-15)
- Main article: Season 5 (TV Series)
The residents of Terminus have become cannibals. Carol leads a charge that frees Rick's group. Some of the group are captured by a group of corrupt cops based out of Grady Memorial Hospital. After the group migrates to Virginia, a stranger named Aaron approaches, inviting them to join the fortified community of Alexandria, led by Deanna Monroe. They quickly realize the residents are ill-prepared to do what it takes to survive. Rick becomes attracted to Jessie Anderson and discovers she has an abusive husband. Deanna orders Rick to execute the man after he kills her husband as Morgan arrives unexpectedly.[13]
Season 6 (2015-16)
- Main article: Season 6 (TV Series)
Deanna gives Rick command of Alexandria to protect the town. A group known as the Wolves use a zombie horde to attack Alexandria, and Deanna and the entire Anderson family (among others) are killed. While recovering, Alexandria learns of a community called the Hilltop. Paul "Jesus" Rovia invites them to trade supplies with Hilltop if they can help end the threat of the extortionist Saviors led by a man named Negan. Although Rick's group decimate one Savior outpost, they are later caught by Negan and forced to submit to him.
Season 7 (2016-17)
- Main article: Season 7 (TV Series)
Negan brutally murders Glenn and Abraham, initiating his rule over Alexandria. His actions initially lead Rick to submit, but Michonne persuades him to fight back. They encounter a community called the Scavengers and ask them for help. Carol and Morgan befriend King Ezekiel, the leader of the Kingdom, while Maggie and Sasha rally the Hilltop. Rosita and Eugene make a bullet to kill Negan. When the bullet is blocked by Lucille, Negan's baseball bat, Negan forcefully recruits Eugene as a Savior. The Saviors and turncoat Scavengers attack Alexandria but are repelled by Sasha's sacrifice and the aid of Kingdom and Hilltop soldiers.
Season 8 (2017-18)
- Main article: Season 8 (TV Series)
Rick, Maggie, and Ezekiel rally their communities into war against Negan and the Saviors. Losses are heavy on both sides and many of the Kingdom's soldiers are killed. Alexandria falls to a Savior attack, and Carl is bitten by a walker. Before euthanizing himself, Carl convinces Rick to end the war peacefully and restart society anew. Negan attempts to wipe out Rick and his allies in a final battle, but Eugene thwarts his plan by sabotaging the Saviors' bullets. Rick wounds Negan, but against Maggie's wishes, spares and imprisons Negan, ending the war.
Season 9 (2018-19)
- Main article: Season 9 (TV Series)
Eighteen months after Negan's downfall, Rick proposes building a bridge to ease trading, but this leads to more resentment. Rick is seemingly killed when he destroys the bridge to prevent an invasion of walkers. Six years later, his absence has caused estrangement between the communities, and a new walker-controlling threat named the Whisperers demand the survivors do not trespass their territory. Their leader, Alpha, has acquired a large horde of walkers that she will unleash if they do so. After her daughter Lydia abandons her mother's group for the Kingdom's, Alpha disowns her and massacres many residents during a fair.
Season 10 (2019-21)
- Main article: Season 10 (TV Series)
Alpha begins breaking down the communities with seemingly random walker attacks and acts of sabotage. Under Carol's orders, Negan infiltrates the Whisperers and assassinates Alpha. Her right-hand man Beta takes command of the Whisperers, but he and the horde are defeated by the survivors. Eugene leads a group to West Virginia to meet a new group of survivors. Meanwhile, Michonne travels north to search for Rick after finding evidence he survived his apparent death.
Season 11 (2021-22)
- Main article: Season 11 (TV Series)
Eugene's group convinces the Commonwealth, a large, prosperous community with a strict class system, to lend aid and refuge to the Coalition. However, autocratic governor Pamela Milton becomes hostile towards the Coalition after her corruption is exposed and her son Sebastian is killed. The Coalition leads a revolution against Pamela when she tries to sacrifice the lower classes to a horde containing more intelligent walker variants; in the aftermath, Rosita dies of a bite, Negan is accepted by Maggie as an ally, and Ezekiel takes over as governor. After the Coalition is rebuilt, Daryl leaves to find Rick and Michonne.
Episodes
As of November 20, 2022, 177 episodes of The Walking Dead have aired.
Title | Writer(s) | Director(s) | Original Air Date | U.S. Viewers | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Days Gone Bye" | Teleplay: Frank Darabont |
Frank Darabont | October 31, 2010 | 5.35 million |
2. | "Guts" | Frank Darabont | Michelle MacLaren | November 7, 2010 | 4.71 million |
3. | "Tell It to the Frogs" | Story: Charles H. Eglee Jack LoGiudice Teleplay: Charles H. Eglee Jack LoGiudice Frank Darabont |
Gwyneth Horder-Payton | November 14, 2010 | 5.07 million |
4. | "Vatos" | Robert Kirkman | Johan Renck | November 21, 2010 | 4.75 million |
5. | "Wildfire" | Glen Mazzara | Ernest Dickerson | November 28, 2010 | 5.56 million |
6. | "TS-19" | Adam Fierro Frank Darabont |
Guy Ferland | December 5, 2010 | 5.97 million |
Title | Writer(s) | Director(s) | Original Air Date | U.S. Viewers | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Seed" | Glen Mazzara | Ernest Dickerson | October 14, 2012 | 10.87 million |
2. | "Sick" | Nichole Beattie | Billy Gierhart | October 21, 2012 | 9.55 million |
3. | "Walk With Me" | Evan T. Reilly | Guy Ferland | October 28, 2012 | 10.51 million |
4. | "Killer Within" | Sang Kyu Kim | Guy Ferland | November 4, 2012 | 9.27 million |
5. | "Say the Word" | Angela Kang | Greg Nicotero | November 11, 2012 | 10.37 million |
6. | "Hounded" | Scott Gimple | Dan Attias | November 18, 2012 | 9.21 million |
7. | "When the Dead Come Knocking" | Frank Renzulli | Daniel Sackheim | November 25, 2012 | 10.43 million |
8. | "Made to Suffer" | Robert Kirkman | Billy Gierhart | December 2, 2012 | 10.48 million |
9. | "The Suicide King" | Evan T. Reilly | Lesli Linka Glatter | February 10, 2013 | 12.26 million |
10. | "Home" | Nichole Beattie | Seith Mann | February 17, 2013 | 11.05 million |
11. | "I Ain't a Judas" | Angela Kang | Greg Nicotero | February 24, 2013 | 11.01 million |
12. | "Clear" | Scott Gimple | Tricia Brock | March 3, 2013 | 11.30 million |
13. | "Arrow on the Doorpost" | Ryan C. Coleman | David Boyd | March 10, 2013 | 11.46 million |
14. | "Prey" | Evan T. Reilly Glen Mazzara |
Stefan Schwartz | March 17, 2013 | 10.84 million |
15. | "This Sorrowful Life" | Scott Gimple | Greg Nicotero | March 24, 2013 | 10.99 million |
16. | "Welcome to the Tombs" | Glen Mazzara | Ernest Dickerson | March 31, 2013 | 12.42 million |
Title | Writer(s) | Director(s) | Original Air Date | U.S. Viewers | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "30 Days Without An Accident" | Scott Gimple | Greg Nicotero | October 13, 2013 | 16.11 million |
2. | "Infected" | Angela Kang | Guy Ferland | October 20, 2013 | 13.95 million |
3. | "Isolation" | Robert Kirkman | Daniel Sackheim | October 27, 2013 | 12.92 million |
4. | "Indifference" | Matt Negrete | Tricia Brock | November 3, 2013 | 13.31 million |
5. | "Internment" | Channing Powell | David Boyd | November 10, 2013 | 12.20 million |
6. | "Live Bait" | Nichole Beattie | Michael Uppendahl | November 17, 2013 | 12.00 million |
7. | "Dead Weight" | Curtis Gwinn | Jeremy Podeswa | November 24, 2013 | 11.29 million |
8. | "Too Far Gone" | Seth Hoffman | Ernest Dickerson | December 1, 2013 | 12.05 million |
9. | "After" | Robert Kirkman | Greg Nicotero | February 9, 2014 | 15.76 million |
10. | "Inmates" | Matt Negrete Channing Powell |
Tricia Brock | February 16, 2014 | 13.34 million |
11. | "Claimed" | Nichole Beattie Seth Hoffman |
Seith Mann | February 23, 2014 | 13.12 million |
12. | "Still" | Angela Kang | Julius Ramsay | March 2, 2014 | 12.61 million |
13. | "Alone" | Curtis Gwinn | Ernest Dickerson | March 9, 2014 | 12.65 million |
14. | "The Grove" | Scott Gimple | Michael Satrazemis | March 16, 2014 | 12.87 million |
15. | "Us" | Nichole Beattie Seth Hoffman |
Greg Nicotero | March 23, 2014 | 13.47 million |
16. | "A" | Scott Gimple Angela Kang |
Michelle MacLaren | March 30, 2014 | 15.68 million |
Title | Writer(s) | Director(s) | Original Air Date | U.S. Viewers | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "No Sanctuary" | Scott Gimple | Greg Nicotero | October 12, 2014 | 17.29 million |
2. | "Strangers" | Robert Kirkman | David Boyd | October 19, 2014 | 15.14 million |
3. | "Four Walls and a Roof" | Angela Kang Corey Reed |
Jeffrey January | October 26, 2014 | 13.80 million |
4. | "Slabtown" | Matt Negrete Channing Powell |
Michael Satrazemis | November 2, 2014 | 14.52 million |
5. | "Self Help" | Heather Bellson Seth Hoffman |
Ernest Dickerson | November 9, 2014 | 13.53 million |
6. | "Consumed" | Matt Negrete Corey Reed |
Seith Mann | November 16, 2014 | 14.07 million |
7. | "Crossed" | Seth Hoffman | Billy Gierhart | November 23, 2014 | 13.33 million |
8. | "Coda" | Angela Kang | Ernest Dickerson | November 30, 2014 | 14.81 million |
9. | "What Happened and What's Going On" | Scott Gimple | Greg Nicotero | February 8, 2015 | 15.64 million |
10. | "Them" | Heather Bellson | Julius Ramsay | February 15, 2015 | 12.27 million |
11. | "The Distance" | Seth Hoffman | Larysa Kondracki | February 22, 2015 | 13.44 million |
12. | "Remember" | Channing Powell | Greg Nicotero | March 1, 2015 | 14.43 million |
13. | "Forget" | Corey Reed | David Boyd | March 8, 2015 | 14.53 million |
14. | "Spend" | Matt Negrete | Jennifer Lynch | March 15, 2015 | 13.78 million |
15. | "Try" | Angela Kang | Michael Satrazemis | March 22, 2015 | 13.76 million |
16. | "Conquer" | Scott Gimple Seth Hoffman |
Greg Nicotero | March 29, 2015 | 15.78 million |
Title | Writer(s) | Director(s) | Original Air Date | U.S. Viewers | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "First Time Again" | Scott Gimple Matt Negrete |
Greg Nicotero | October 11, 2015 | 14.63 million |
2. | "JSS" | Seth Hoffman | Jennifer Lynch | October 18, 2015 | 12.18 million |
3. | "Thank You" | Angela Kang | Michael Slovis | October 25, 2015 | 13.14 million |
4. | "Here's Not Here" | Scott Gimple | Stephen Williams | November 1, 2015 | 13.34 million |
5. | "Now" | Corey Reed | Avi Youabian | November 8, 2015 | 12.44 million |
6. | "Always Accountable" | Heather Bellson | Jeffrey January | November 15, 2015 | 12.87 million |
7. | "Heads Up" | Channing Powell | David Boyd | November 22, 2015 | 13.22 million |
8. | "Start to Finish" | Matt Negrete | Michael Satrazemis | November 29, 2015 | 13.98 million |
9. | "No Way Out" | Seth Hoffman | Greg Nicotero | February 14, 2016 | 13.74 million |
10. | "The Next World" | Angela Kang Corey Reed |
Kari Skogland | February 21, 2016 | 13.48 million |
11. | "Knots Untie" | Matt Negrete Channing Powell |
Michael Satrazemis | February 28, 2016 | 12.79 million |
12. | "Not Tomorrow Yet" | Seth Hoffman | Greg Nicotero | March 6, 2016 | 12.82 million |
13. | "The Same Boat" | Angela Kang | Billy Gierhart | March 13, 2016 | 12.53 million |
14. | "Twice as Far" | Matt Negrete | Alrick Riley | March 20, 2016 | 12.69 million |
15. | "East" | Story: Scott Gimple Channing Powell Teleplay: Channing Powell |
Michael Satrazemis | March 27, 2016 | 12.38 million |
16. | "Last Day on Earth" | Scott Gimple Matt Negrete |
Greg Nicotero | April 3, 2016 | 14.19 million |
Title | Writer(s) | Director(s) | Original Air Date | U.S. Viewers | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "A New Beginning" | Angela Kang | Greg Nicotero | October 7, 2018 | 6.08 million |
2. | "The Bridge" | David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick | Daisy Mayer | October 14, 2018 | 4.95 million |
3. | "Warning Signs" | Corey Reed | Dan Liu | October 21, 2018 | 5.04 million |
4. | "The Obliged" | Geraldine Inoa | Rosemary Rodriguez | October 28, 2018 | 5.10 million |
5. | "What Comes After" | Story: Scott Gimple Matt Negrete Teleplay: Matt Negrete |
Greg Nicotero | November 4, 2018 | 5.41 million |
6. | "Who Are You Now?" | Eddie Guzelian | Larry Teng | November 11, 2018 | 5.40 million |
7. | "Stradivarius" | Vivian Tse | Michael Cudlitz | November 18, 2018 | 4.79 million |
8. | "Evolution" | David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick | Michael Satrazemis | November 25, 2018 | 5.09 million |
9. | "Adaptation" | Corey Reed | Greg Nicotero | February 10, 2019 | 5.16 million |
10. | "Omega" | Channing Powell | David Boyd | February 17, 2019 | 4.54 million |
11. | "Bounty" | Matt Negrete | Meera Menon | February 24, 2019 | 4.39 million |
12. | "Guardians" | LaToya Morgan | Michael Satrazemis | March 3, 2019 | 4.71 million |
13. | "Chokepoint" | David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick Eddie Guzelian |
Liesl Tommy | March 10, 2019 | 4.83 million |
14. | "Scars" | Corey Reed Vivian Tse |
Millicent Shelton | March 17, 2019 | 4.57 million |
15. | "The Calm Before" | Geraldine Inoa Channing Powell |
Laura Belsey | March 24, 2019 | 4.15 million |
16. | "The Storm" | Angela Kang Matt Negrete |
Greg Nicotero | March 31, 2019 | 5.02 million |
Title Screen
- Main article: Title Screens (TV Series)
Cast and Characters
The list below contains those that have been credited within the series' title sequence and those who are credited as "also starring". Recurring and guest stars are listed on the individual season pages.
The Walking Dead | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Actor | Character | Appeared Seasons | Status | Background |
Andrew Lincoln | Rick Grimes | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 11 | Alive | The series' former protagonist and a former sheriff's deputy, Rick is the leader of a group of survivors who becomes the leader of the Alexandria Safe-Zone.[14][15] |
Jon Bernthal | Shane Walsh | 1, 2, 3, 9 | Dead | Rick's former police partner and best friend. In the second season, he forms an intense rivalry with Rick.[16][17] |
Sarah Wayne Callies | Lori Grimes | 1, 2, 3 | Dead | Rick's wife, who has an affair with Shane when she believed Rick was dead.[18][19] |
Laurie Holden | Andrea Harrison | 1, 2, 3 | Dead | A former civil rights attorney and member of the original Atlanta group of survivors.[20][21] |
Jeffrey DeMunn | Dale Horvath | 1, 2 | Dead | An older member of the group who owned the RV in which a group of survivors traveled. Often the voice of reason within the group.[22][23] |
Steven Yeun | Glenn Rhee | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7 | Dead | A former pizza delivery boy who saved Rick's life. Glenn begins a relationship with Maggie Greene and later marries her. Over the course of the series, Glenn becomes an integral member of the group known for his character and resourcefulness.[24][25] |
Chandler Riggs | Carl Grimes | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 | Dead | Rick and Lori's young son. Carl is forced to mature and learn to survive in the deadly new post-apocalyptic world.[26][27] |
Norman Reedus | Daryl Dixon | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 | Alive | The group's primary hunter, Daryl becomes a key member of the group and Rick's trusted lieutenant.[28][29] |
Melissa McBride | Carol Peletier | 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 | Alive | Originally a meek housewife, Carol overcomes domestic abuse to become a skilled, resourceful fighter capable of making difficult decisions.[30][31] |
Lauren Cohan | Maggie Rhee | 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 | Alive | The eldest daughter of the Greene family, Maggie marries Glenn, becomes pregnant with their child and becomes the leader of the Hilltop Colony.[32][33] |
Danai Gurira | Michonne Grimes | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 | Alive | A fierce, katana-wielding woman who joins Rick's group. Michonne eventually becomes Rick's romantic partner and a mother-figure to his son, Carl. She is also the mother-figure to Judith, daughter of Lori and Shane.[34][35] |
Scott Wilson | Hershel Greene | 2, 3, 4, 9 | Dead | A veterinarian and farmer who maintains his faith and acts as the group's primary moral compass. Hershel is the father of Maggie and Beth Greene.[33][36] |
Michael Rooker | Merle Dixon | 1, 2, 3 | Dead | The racist and volatile older brother of Daryl Dixon. In the third season, he is the right-hand man to the Governor.[37][38] |
David Morrissey | Philip Blake | 3, 4, 5 | Dead | The antagonistic leader of the town of Woodbury, the Governor is ruthless, paranoid, and dangerous.[39][40] |
Emily Kinney | Beth Greene | 2, 3, 4, 5 | Dead | A soft-spoken teenage girl who enjoys singing, Beth is Hershel's younger daughter and Maggie's younger half-sister.[41][42] |
Chad Coleman | Tyreese Williams | 3, 4, 5 | Dead | Tough and compassionate, Tyreese places an emphasis on moral reasoning. He struggles to cope with the immoral nature of some of the group's survival tactics and finds it difficult to kill in defense of the group.[43][44] |
Sonequa Martin-Green | Sasha Williams | 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9 | Dead | Tyreese's fiery younger sister and a former firefighter, Sasha is the group's sharpshooter. After several personal losses, she suffers from PTSD.[45][46] |
Lawrence Gilliard Jr. | Bob Stookey | 4, 5 | Dead | A former army medic and recovering alcoholic who develops a close relationship with Sasha.[47][48] |
Michael Cudlitz | Abraham Ford | 4, 5, 6, 7 | Dead | A former military sergeant on a mission to bring Eugene to Washington, D.C. to find a cure for the walker virus.[49][50] |
Josh McDermitt | Eugene Porter | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 | Alive | A man who claims to know a cure for the walker virus, Eugene is cowardly and inefficient when dealing with walkers, but is very intelligent.[50][51] |
Christian Serratos | Rosita Espinosa | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 | Dead | A tough, focused, and very capable survivor, and also Abraham's girlfriend.[50][52] |
Alanna Masterson | Tara Chambler | 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 | Dead | A former police academy student and lesbian. Tara joins Rick's group after having initially been affiliated with the Governor. She serves as a primary supply runner.[53][54][55] |
Andrew J. West | Gareth | 4, 5 | Dead | The cannibalistic leader of Terminus who captures and coerces Rick's group into submission before being executed by Rick.[56][57] |
Seth Gilliam | Gabriel Stokes | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 | Alive | A priest who joins Rick's group. He lacks experience with walkers and struggles with his faith in the new world.[58][59] |
Lennie James | Morgan Jones | 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8 | Unknown | The first survivor Rick encounters in the first season. After suffering a psychological breakdown, he comes to peace with the world around him.[60][61] |
Alexandra Breckenridge | Jessie Anderson | 5, 6 | Dead | An Alexandria resident who develops a relationship with Rick.[62][63] |
Ross Marquand | Aaron | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 | Alive | A recruiter who invites Rick's group to Alexandria.[64][65] |
Austin Nichols | Spencer Monroe | 5, 6, 7 | Dead | Deanna's son and a guard of Alexandria.[66][67] |
Tovah Feldshuh | Deanna Monroe | 5, 6 | Dead | A former Congresswoman and original leader of Alexandria.[68][69] |
Jeffrey Dean Morgan | Negan Smith | 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 | Alive | The totalitarian, sociopathic leader of the Saviors.[70][71] |
Austin Amelio | Dwight | 6, 7, 8 | Unknown | A ruthless and reluctant member of the Saviors who forms an intense rivalry with Daryl.[72][73] |
Tom Payne | Paul Rovia | 6, 7, 8, 9 | Dead | A scout and member of the Hilltop Colony.[74][75] |
Xander Berkeley | Gregory | 6, 7, 8, 9 | Dead | The selfish and treacherous leader of the Hilltop Colony.[76][77] |
Khary Payton | Ezekiel Sutton | 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 | Alive | The "king" of a community known as the Kingdom, Ezekiel is a former zookeeper with a pet Bengal tiger called Shiva.[78][79] |
Steven Ogg | Simon | 6, 7, 8 | Dead | A high-ranking member of the Saviors serving as Negan's right-hand man.[80][81] |
Katelyn Nacon | Enid | 5, 6, 7, 8, 9 | Dead | An isolated teenager in Alexandria who forms a close bond with Carl.[82][83] |
Pollyanna McIntosh | Anne | 7, 8, 9 | Unknown | The impassive, enigmatic leader of the Scavengers.[84][85] |
Callan McAuliffe | Alden | 8, 9, 10, 11 | Dead | A former member of the Saviors who later switches his allegiance to the Hilltop.[86][87] |
Avi Nash | Siddiq | 8, 9, 10 | Dead | A former vagabond and doctor who is rescued by Carl and brought to Alexandria.[88][89] |
Samantha Morton | Alpha | 9, 10 | Dead | The leader of the Whisperers, a mysterious group of survivors who wear the skins of walkers to mask their presence.[90][91] |
Ryan Hurst | Beta | 9, 10 | Dead | The second-in-command of the Whisperers and Alpha's right-hand man.[92][93] |
Eleanor Matsuura | Yumiko Okumura | 9, 10, 11 | Alive | Magna's girlfriend who is a proficient archer and former criminal defense lawyer.[94][95] |
Cooper Andrews | Jerry | 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 | Alive | A member of the Kingdom and Ezekiel's steward.[96][97] |
Nadia Hilker | Magna | 9, 10, 11 | Alive | The feisty leader of a small group of roaming survivors and Yumiko's girlfriend.[98][99] |
Cailey Fleming | Judith Grimes | 9, 10, 11 | Alive | The biological daughter of Lori and Shane who was adopted by Rick after she was born.[100][101] |
Cassady McClincy | Lydia | 9, 10, 11 | Alive | Alpha's daughter and former Whisperer.[102][103] |
Lauren Ridloff | Connie | 9, 10, 11 | Alive | A deaf member of Magna's group and Kelly's sister.[104][105] |
Paola Lázaro | Juanita Sanchez | 10, 11 | Alive | A quirky and flamboyant survivor who has suffered various traumas in her past and later joins Eugene's group.[106] |
Michael James Shaw | Michael Mercer | 11 | Alive | A resident of the Commonwealth who serves as the general of the Commonwealth military.[107] |
Lynn Collins | Leah Shaw | 10, 11 | Dead | A member of the Reapers and former owner of Dog who formed a loving connection with Daryl while searching for Rick after his disappearance.[108] |
Josh Hamilton | Lance Hornsby | 11 | Dead | The deputy governor and director of operations to the Commonwealth.[109] |
Margot Bingham | Maxxine Porter | 9, 10, 11 | Alive | A resident of the Commonwealth who communicated with Eugene over the radio. She is also Mercer's younger sister.[110] |
Laila Robins | Pamela Milton | 11 | Alive | The governor of the Commonwealth.[109] |
Angel Theory | Kelly | 9, 10, 11 | Alive | Connie's alert and protective sister who has a gradual hearing loss.[111] |
Darabont Connections
The series features several actors whom series developer Frank Darabont has worked with previously, including Laurie Holden (Andrea Harrison), Jeffrey DeMunn (Dale Horvath), Melissa McBride (Carol Peletier), Juan Pareja (Morales) and Sam Witwer (the dead soldier in the tank where Rick Grimes hides in "Days Gone Bye"). All five appeared in his 2007 film The Mist,[112] along with Thomas Jane, who originally was set to star in the series as Rick Grimes when it was pitched to HBO.[113][114][115] Jane was in fall 2010 in talks with Darabont to possibly guest star on the series;[116] however, with Darabont's departure,[117] a guest appearance for Jane never materialized. Holden also appeared in the 2001 film The Majestic, which Darabont also directed. DeMunn has appeared in several of Darabont's films; in addition to The Mist and The Majestic, he appeared in The Shawshank Redemption (1994) and The Green Mile (1999). It was planned that Witwer (Private Jessup in Darabont's The Mist) would reprise his "Days Gone Bye" role in the original conception of the series' second season premiere[118] and in a webisode,[119] but both plans were discarded.[120]
Production
Development
On January 20, 2010, AMC officially announced that it had ordered a pilot for a possible series adapted from The Walking Dead comic book series, with Frank Darabont and Gale Anne Hurd acting as executive producers and Darabont writing and directing.[121] The entire series was pre-ordered based just on the strength of the source material, the television scripts, and Darabont's involvement.[122] In January 2010 a review of the pilot episode's script attracted further attention.[123] The pilot began filming in Atlanta, Georgia on May 15, 2010[124] after AMC had officially ordered a six-episode first season.[125] The series's remaining episodes began filming on June 2, 2010, with Darabont serving as showrunner.[126][127] On August 31, 2010, Darabont reported that The Walking Dead had been picked up for a second season, with production to begin in February 2011. On November 8, 2010, AMC confirmed that there would be a second season consisting of 13 episodes.[128] He would also like to include some of the "environmental elements" that take place during Volume 2 of Kirkman's book.[129]
Crew
The first season writing staff consisted of series developer and executive producer Frank Darabont (who wrote/co-wrote four of the six episodes), executive producer Charles H. Eglee, executive producer and creator of the comic book Robert Kirkman, co-executive producer Jack LoGiudice, consulting producer Adam Fierro and Glen Mazzara, all of whom contributed to one episode each. Along with Darabont, who directed the pilot episode, the remaining five were directed by Michelle MacLaren, Gwyneth Horder-Payton, Johan Renck, Ernest Dickerson, and Guy Ferland, respectively.[130]
On December 1, 2010, Deadline Hollywood reported that Darabont had fired his writing staff, including executive producer Charles H. Eglee, and planned to use freelance writers for the second season.[131] Kirkman called the announcement "premature" and clarified that Eglee left to pursue other projects when Darabont decided to stay on as showrunner, and no definitive plans had been made regarding the writing staff for the second season.[132]
[Chic Eglee] was brought onto The Walking Dead with the idea that Frank was going to work on the first season and then go off and do movies [...] Chic didn't want to be second-in-command on a show when he's used to being a top dog, and so he decided to go off and do something else, which is something that happens and is not a big deal. (Robert Kirkman, TV Guide)[132]
On December 3, 2010, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, executive producer Gale Anne Hurd commented: "It's completely inaccurate. [In] the writers' room, there are people that have set up other projects that will be their first priority if their own series is picked up as a pilot or if it's a series. I think [Eglee] just decided that he wants to run his own show." She revealed that it would be likely for the series to return in October 2011, as Darabont and Kirkman planned on mapping out the next season early in 2011. She also confirmed that, "every one of the principal cast is signed up for multiple seasons."[133] In July 2011, series developer and showrunner Frank Darabont was fired from his position as showrunner for the series, over unethical business practices from AMC higher-ups (see Lawsuits below).[134]
Executive producer Glen Mazzara was appointed the new showrunner in Darabont's place.[135] New writers joined the writing staff in the second season, including co-executive producer Evan T. Reilly, producer Scott Gimple, story editor Angela Kang, and David Leslie Johnson-McGoldrick. New writers in the third season included producers Nichole Beattie and Sang Kyu Kim, with Frank Renzulli contributing a freelance script.
After the conclusion of the third season, Glen Mazzara stepped down from his position as showrunner and executive producer for the series, per a mutual agreement between Mazzara and AMC. The press release read, "Both parties acknowledge that there is a difference of opinion about where the show should go moving forward, and conclude that it is best to part ways."[136] Scott Gimple succeeded Mazzara as showrunner for the fourth season,[137] with new writers joining the writing staff, such as Curtis Gwinn, Channing Powell, and Matt Negrete.[138] In January 2018, it was announced that Gimple would be promoted to the newly created position of Chief Content Officer of the entire Walking Dead franchise, and that Angela Kang would replace him as showrunner beginning with the ninth season.[139][140]
Writing
The television series generally tends to follow Kirkman's comic series across major characters and plots; for instance, events of the premiere episode of the seventh season correlate to events in issue #100 of the comics.[141][142] The series does not attempt to go step-by-step with the comics, and has leeway in the narrative. In particular, the series's writers, along with Kirkman, often "transfer" how a character has died in the comics to a different character in the series. For example, in the fourth season, where Hershel Greene is beheaded by the Governor in the stand-off with Rick's group at the prison; in the comic, Tyreese is the one who suffers this fate.[141] Some of the television characters, like Carol, have far outlived their comic counterparts, while others that have already been killed off, like Sophia and Andrea, remained alive for some time in the ongoing comic series.[142] In addition, the writers have included characters wholly novel to the series such as Daryl Dixon, which producer Gale Anne Hurd says helps to create a new dynamic for the series, and keeps the audience guessing from what had already been established in the comic series.[143]
Casting
The Walking Dead has featured a large rotating ensemble cast. In most cases, because of the nature of the show, departure of actors from the show are determined by the writing, with characters either killed off or written off the show as necessary to develop the story. Cast members are generally told ahead of time if they have been written off the show, but otherwise kept to secrecy. For example, Steven Yeun, who played Glenn Rhee since the pilot through the season seven premiere, knew of his character's death for a year but had to keep quiet,[144] while Chandler Riggs, playing Carl Grimes through the eighth season, was told of his character's departure during the filming in the weeks leading into his final episodes.[145]
A few actors have left the show under their own terms due to other commitments or changes, with the writings adopting the plot around these changes:
- Andrew Lincoln played the series' protagonist Rick Grimes since the pilot. Lincoln announced his plan to leave the show at the start of the ninth season, finding that having to spend half a year in the United States for filming left him missing out on his family in the United Kingdom.[146] Lincoln completed five episodes in the season to close out Rick's storyline within the series, and was originally planned to be continued in three films.[147] In July 2022, it was announced that Lincoln, along with Gurira, will star in a six-episode miniseries in the place of the three films.[148]
- Lauren Cohan played Maggie Rhee since the second season. As contract negotiations began for the ninth season, Cohan had been given the opportunity to star in Whiskey Cavalier, limiting how much time she would be able to give to the show. Cohan appeared as Maggie for the first five episodes of the season.[149][150] In October 2019, it was confirmed that Cohan would return as a series regular for the eleventh season.[151]
- Danai Gurira played Michonne Grimes since the third season, and announced that she would be leaving the show after the tenth season, participating in a handful of episodes balanced against her other acting commitments.[152][153]
- Both Lennie James (as Morgan Jones) and Austin Amelio (as Dwight) were transferred from the main series after season eight to the spin-off series Fear the Walking Dead. James joined the cast of Fear the Walking Dead in season four and Amelio joined the cast in season five.[154][155]
Casting salaries for the principle actors have grown significantly over the course of the show, up through the seventh season. Overall, the salaries had been lower compared to other similar dramas, including AMC's own Mad Men, but this was justified due to the volatility of any character being potentially written off the show. Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride, playing Daryl Dixon and Carol Peletier respectively, had made around $9,500 per episode during the first season, and by the seventh season, had gotten up to $80,000 per episode. Lincoln himself was only earning $90,000 per episode in the seventh season.[156] By season nine, with the departure of Lincoln, Reedus had repeated secured a $350,000 per episode pay plus additional incentives, potentially earning him $50–90 million over three seasons. McBride similarly had gotten an extended contract in season nine worth $20 million over three seasons. Both of these were intended to secure the pair as central figures for the show going forward in Lincoln's absence.[157]
Music
Bear McCreary was hired to compose the score for the series. McCreary stated that the main theme was based on his viewing of production designs for the opening title sequence. Instead of doing a full theme song as with his earlier works, McCreary chose to use a simple, repeating motif from the strings section.[158]
It repeats over and over, and in fact in the pilot episode, you start hearing it before the main title begins, and this is something that continues episode to episode. You hear the main title music before the main title begins, so you know it's coming. That, to me, was the little hook– that little thing that, whenever you hear it, it takes you to the series. (Bear McCreary)[158]
Soundtracks
Four soundtracks for The Walking Dead have been released to date. The Walking Dead: AMC Original Soundtrack, Vol. 1 was released on March 17, 2013.[159] The second volume was released on March 25, 2014.[160] Songs of Survival is a soundtrack for the third season and it was released on August 27, 2013, by Republic Records as a Walmart exclusive for the special edition release of the third season.[161] Songs of Survival, Vol. 2 is a soundtrack for the fourth season and it was released on August 26, 2014, by Republic Records as a Walmart exclusive of the fourth season release.[162]
Makeup
Greg Nicotero is an executive producer and the key special effects makeup artist on the series. Each walker is put through "zombie school" and is taught how to move like a zombie. There are three levels of zombie makeup: Hero, Midground, and Deep Background. Hero zombies are featured walkers and are completely made over from head to toe. Midground zombies get highlights and shadows on the face, but do not get close enough to the camera to require full makeup. Deep background zombies often wear masks and are only meant to be used as a backdrop.[163]
Filming
The Walking Dead is predominantly filmed in Georgia.[164] Since 2002, the state has offered a tax incentive for large film productions to drive producers to the state and bolster its economy.[165]
The first season was shot primarily in Atlanta, but required a great deal of coordination with the city to shut down streets and parks for filming.[165] Production for subsequent seasons moved mainly to Riverwood Studios (doing business as Raleigh Studios Atlanta), a plot of land covering approximately 120 km2, located outside of Senoia, Georgia. Some existing buildings were used here, such as a subdivision that is used by several families, which serves as the Alexandria Safe-Zone. Other buildings are constructed as sets, such as the exterior shots of the main Hilltop mansion, the trash heaps used by the Scavengers, or Father Gabriel's church. Sets are torn down when no longer needed; the church, after its use in the fifth season, was removed and its spot used for the iconic setting for the first meeting between Rick's group and Negan in the seventh season. The property includes sound stages constructed for interior shots, which then may be reused; the interior sets for the prison during the third season were reused to serve as the buildings and sets for the Savior's Sanctuary in the seventh season.[166][167] In July 2017, AMC purchased the studio lot from Riverwood for $8.25 million.[168]
Some scenes are shot outside of the studio. Woodbury, during the third season, was filmed in downtown Senoia. Other exceptions include the Kingdom, which is filmed at the former military base Fort McPherson, now converted to studios for Tyler Perry.[166][167]
The series was shot on 16 mm film up until the end of the tenth season before it transitioned to digital for the series' final 30 episodes. The change was due to the COVID-19 pandemic with there being less "touch points" with digital than film.[169] David Tattersall was the director of photography for the pilot episode with David Boyd as the director of photography on the remainder of the episodes. Production design is done by Greg Melton and Alex Hajdu. The effects team includes veteran special effects makeup designers Greg Nicotero and Toby Sells,[170] special effects coordinator Darrell Pritchett, and visual effects supervisors Sam Nicholson and Jason Sperling.[171] Greg Nicotero also served as the primary director for the series, directing 35 episodes up until 2021.[172][173]
Marketing
The Walking Dead debuted during the same week in 120 countries. As part of an expansive campaign to advertise and heighten anticipation for the premiere, AMC and Fox International Channels coordinated a worldwide zombie invasion event on October 26, 2010. The stunt involved invading 26 major cities within a 24-hour period, starting with Taipei and Hong Kong, and ending in Los Angeles for the U.S. premiere.[174]
The series' official website released, just prior to the San Diego Comic-Con in 2010, a motion comic based on Issue No. 1 of the original comic and voiced by Phil LaMarr.[175] The site also posted a making-of documentary primarily about the first episode, as well as a number of other behind-the-scenes videos and interviews. In the documentary, comic series creator and television series executive producer Robert Kirkman, as well as artist Charlie Adlard, say they are pleased with how faithful the series is to the comic and remark on the similarities between the actors and the comic's original character drawings.[176]
Action figures of characters from the series were created for release in November 2011 and have continued throughout the years with eight line-ups. The figures, which are manufactured by McFarlane Toys, are designed to resemble the actors on the series. Figures created to resemble the characters as drawn in the comic book were released in September 2011.[177] In December 2020, it was announced by AMC that Chris Hardwick would host a special for the show featuring the appearances of various cast members, titled The Walking Dead Holiday Special, to promote the show and "reminisce on the franchise series' past".[178] The special was released on December 13, 2020.[179]
Green Initiatives
With a primary objective of reducing the environmental impacts of film and television productions, including The Walking Dead, producer Gale Anne Hurd has directed the cast, crew, production team, suppliers, and bloggers about her series to adopt the Doddle app to make the production almost paper-free; this works by digitally transmitting interactive call sheets and other intra-team and team-supplier communications (such as directions, images, menus, and updates) to people's cell phones and tablets. Hurd said of using Doddle: in addition to conserving paper, "It's also easier, and it's better for security. People are less likely to leave their smartphone or tablet lying around for someone else to pick up."[180][181]
Hurd describes additional steps taken to increase efficiency and cut production costs: "If you use vehicles that get better gas mileage, that are electric or hybrids, you're going to pay a lot less in fuel. If you use compact fluorescent bulbs, you're going to save a lot of money in utilities. If you recycle even your own sets, and use them again, that's going to save money. You don't have to buy new lumber. So there are cost savings, absolutely."[180] Additionally, the production team aims to reduce vehicle idling, which decreases carbon dioxide emissions.[180][181][182]
Hurd also cuts down on plastic waste by personally using a refillable, stainless steel EcoUsable water bottle and promoting its use among her colleagues. She shared: "on a lot of my projects I give them as crew gifts before we start production, and have water stations available, but you can't force people to use them."[180]
Release
Scenes from the pilot were screened July 23, 2010, as part of the San Diego Comic-Con in 2010.[183] It premiered on AMC on October 31, 2010, and premiered internationally on Fox International Channels during the first week of November.[184][185] Almost two weeks before the official premiere on AMC, the pilot episode leaked online.[186]
International broadcast rights for the series were sold and announced on June 14, 2010.[187] The series airs on Fox International Channels in 126 countries in 33 languages. The fifth season debuted its first part on October 13, 2014.[188] The second part premiered on February 9, 2015.[189] On May 20, 2021, it was announced, following the closure of the Fox channel in the UK and Ireland, that the eleventh and final season would instead be released on the Star hub on Disney+ the day after episodes air in the United States.[190]
Home Media
The first season DVD and Blu-ray was released on March 8, 2011.[191] A three-disc special edition of the first season—featuring new featurettes and audio commentaries—was released on DVD and Blu-ray on October 4, 2011.[192] The European versions of the first season DVD and Blu-ray are edited for gore, with cuts to episode two ("Guts"),[193] episode three ("Tell It to the Frogs"),[194] episode four ("Vatos")[195] and episode five ("Wildfire").[196] Until eOne/WVG re-released the first season in D-A-CH in a Special Uncut Version on DVD and Blu-ray on May 31, 2013.[197]
The second season DVD and Blu-ray was released on August 28, 2012. It was also released as a limited edition Blu-ray, packaged as a miniature zombie head designed by McFarlane Toys. Special features include audio commentaries, deleted scenes, webisodes, and several featurettes.[198]
The third season DVD and Blu-ray was released on August 27, 2013. It was also released as a limited edition Blu-ray, packaged as a miniature version of the Governor's zombie head aquarium tank designed by Greg Nicotero and sculpted by McFarlane Toys. Special features include audio commentaries, deleted scenes, and several featurettes.[199]
The fourth season DVD and Blu-ray was released on August 26, 2014. It was also released as a limited edition Blu-ray, packaged with a tree-walker designed by McFarlane Toys. Special features include audio commentaries, deleted scenes, and several featurettes, as well as extended episodes which are exclusive to the Blu-ray.[200]
The fifth season DVD and Blu-ray was released on August 25, 2015,[201] the sixth season on August 23, 2016,[202] the seventh season on August 22, 2017,[203] the eighth season on August 21, 2018,[204] the ninth season on August 20, 2019,[205] the tenth season on July 20, 2021,[206] and the eleventh season on March 14, 2023.[207]
Home video release for the first six seasons was distributed by Anchor Bay Entertainment (under license from AMC Networks), with releases for the seventh season onwards distributed by Lionsgate Home Entertainment in the United States. The international home video releases were distributed by Entertainment One.
Syndication
MyNetworkTV acquired the broadcast syndication rights to the series, premiering on October 1, 2014.[208] The version that airs on MyNetworkTV is edited to meet broadcast television standards.[209]
Reception
Critical Reception
Season | Critical response | ||
---|---|---|---|
Rotten Tomatoes | Metacritic | ||
1 | 87% (100 reviews)[210] | 82 (25 reviews)[211] | |
2 | 80% (203 reviews)[212] | 80 (22 reviews)[213] | |
3 | 88% (327 reviews)[214] | 82 (19 reviews)[215] | |
4 | 81% (316 reviews)[216] | 75 (16 reviews)[217] | |
5 | 90% (374 reviews)[218] | 80 (11 reviews)[219] | |
6 | 76% (512 reviews)[220] | 79 (10 reviews)[221] | |
7 | 66% (620 reviews)[222] | N/A | |
8 | 65% (447 reviews)[223] | N/A | |
9 | 89% (364 reviews)[224] | 72 (4 reviews)[225] | |
10 | 77% (392 reviews)[226] | N/A | |
11 | 81% (224 reviews)[227] | N/A |
The first six seasons and the ninth, tenth and eleventh seasons of The Walking Dead have been well reviewed by recognized critics, while the seventh and eighth seasons received more mixed reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, the series has an average score of 80%.[228]
For the first season, 87% of 100 Rotten Tomatoes critics gave it a positive review, with an average score of 7.35/10. That site's consensus states, "Blood-spattered, emotionally resonant, and white-knuckle intense, The Walking Dead puts an intelligent spin on the overcrowded zombie subgenre."[210] Metacritic scored the first season 82/100 based on 25 critic reviews, 23 of which were positive, two mixed, and none negative.[211]
For the second season, 80% of 203 critic reviews on Rotten Tomatoes were positive, with an average score of 8.05/10. The site's consensus states, "The second season of The Walking Dead fleshes out the characters while maintaining the grueling tension and gore that made the show a hit."[212] Of 22 Metacritic critic reviews, 18 were positive, four were mixed, and none were negative; their average score was 80/100.[213] Early criticism of the series focused on the slow pace of the second season, particularly the first half. Ken Tucker of Entertainment Weekly, described the series as "a nighttime soap", comparing it to "a parody of a Samuel Beckett play" that had very little sense of direction and few appearances of walkers.[229] Nate Rawlings of Time online entertainment section noted that "the pace during the first half of this season has been brutally slow. [...] They've tried to develop individual characters, but each subplot meant to add a layer to a character has been quickly resolved."[230] Later reviews from other critics, such as Scott Wampler of Collider.com, recognized the increased quality of the second half, stating it "seemed far more intense, more interesting, better written".[231] Recognizing the overall season, Kevin Yeoman of Screen Rant offered praise saying "the writers succeeded in unshackling themselves from the intermittent monotony brought about by the serial nature of the show".[232]
The third season had 88% of Rotten Tomatoes' 327 critics giving it a positive review, with an average score of 7.85/10. The site's consensus states, "The palpable terror and visceral thrills continue in the third season of The Walking Dead, along with a deeper sense of the people who inhabit its apocalyptic landscape."[214] Metacritic's 19 critics rated the season 82/100, all of whom gave a positive review.[215]
For the fourth season, 81% of Rotten Tomatoes' 316 critic reviews were positive, with an average score of 7.60/10. The site's consensus states, "Consistently thrilling, with solid character development and enough gore to please grindhouse fans, this season of The Walking Dead continues to demonstrate why it's one of the best horror shows on television."[216] Metacritic scored the season 75/100 based on 16 critic reviews, 13 of which were positive, three mixed, and none negative.[217]
The fifth season had 90% of Rotten Tomatoes' 374 critic reviews rating it positively, with an average score of 6.95/10. The site's consensus states, "Thanks to a liberal dose of propulsive, bloody action and enough compelling character moments to reward longtime fans, the series' fifth season continues to deliver top-notch entertainment."[218] Metacritic scored the fifth season 80/100 based on 11 critic reviews, all of which were positive.[219]
For the sixth season, 76% of Rotten Tomatoes' 512 critic reviews were positive, with an average score of 7.40/10. The site's consensus states, "Six seasons in, The Walking Dead is still finding ways to top itself, despite slow patches that do little to advance the plot."[220] Metacritic scored the sixth season 79/100 based on 10 critic reviews, nine of which were positive, one mixed, and none negative.[221]
For the seventh season, 66% of Rotten Tomatoes' 620 critic reviews rated it positively, with an average score of 6.85/10. The site's consensus is, "Increased character depth and effective world-building helps The Walking Dead overcome a tiresome reliance on excessive, gratuitous violence."[222] After the controversial season premiere episode was aired, critic Matt Zoller Seitz criticized the series' consistently cynical use of violence, stating that "The longer this series goes on, the more obvious it becomes that the violence is the point, and everything else is an intellectual fig leaf."[233]
For the eighth season, 65% of Rotten Tomatoes' 447 critic reviews rated it positively, with an average score of 6.65/10. The site's consensus states "The series' eighth season energizes its characters with some much-needed angst and action, though it's still occasionally choppy and lacking forward-moving plot progression."[223]
For the ninth season, 89% of Rotten Tomatoes' 365 critic reviews were positive, with an average score of 7.15/10. The site's consensus states, "Nine seasons in, The Walking Dead feels more alive than ever, with heightened tension and a refreshed pace that rejuvenates this long-running franchise."[224] Metacritic scored the ninth season 72/100 based on 4 critic reviews, 3 of which were positive, one mixed, and none negative.[225]
For the tenth season, 77% of Rotten Tomatoes' 392 critic reviews were positive, with an average score of 7/10. The site's consensus states, "A few changes in front of and behind the camera allow TWD create space for compelling new stories and some seriously scary new adversaries."[226]
For the eleventh season, 81% of Rotten Tomatoes' 224 critic reviews were positive, with an average score of 5.7/10. The site's consensus states, "While the sense of finality is diminished by the promise of even more spinoffs, the series' eleventh conclusion is a solid enough conclusion to an epic tale of zombies that never had a clear offramp to begin with."[227]
In 2013, TV Guide ranked The Walking Dead as the #8 sci-fi show.[234]
Comments About Diversity
Some critics have commented on the increasing diversity of the series.[235][236][237] This approach was initially applauded by commentators.[235][236] In 2015, Lindsay Putnam of the New York Post questioned whether the show was in danger of becoming "too diverse" as the show "seemingly reached critical mass for its nonwhite, nonmale survivors — and now has no choice but to kill them off".[235] Robert Kirkman has discussed the increasing diversity of the show and the comic books. He has described how he regrets the lack of diversity in the early issues of the comic book series and explained how they would have been "vastly more diverse" if he were to have started them now.[238]
Ratings
During its first season, The Walking Dead attracted between four and six million viewers.[239] Viewership began to increase in its second season. During seasons three to seven, it attracted ten to seventeen million viewers.[239] In 2012, during its third season, it became the first cable series in television history to have the highest total viewership of any series during the fall season among 18- to 49-year-old adults.[239][240] In 2014, total viewership for the show's fifth-season premiere was 17.3 million, making it the most-watched series episode in cable history.[241][242] In 2016, a New York Times study of the 50 television series with the most Facebook likes found that like most other zombie series, The Walking Dead "is most popular in rural areas, particularly southern Texas and eastern Kentucky".[243] Ratings began to decline during season seven and continued to steadily drop thereafter. The ratings decline was attributed to a variety of factors, including Rick's presumed death. By the end of season nine, the show had fewer viewers than it had at any time since its first season.[244]
Awards and Nominations
The Walking Dead was nominated for Best New Series by the Writers Guild of America Awards 2011[6] and Best Television Series Drama by the 68th Golden Globe Awards.[7] The series was named one of the top 10 television programs of 2010 by the American Film Institute Awards 2010.[245] For the 37th Saturn Awards, the series received six nominations—for Best Television Presentation, Andrew Lincoln for Best Actor in Television, Sarah Wayne Callies for Best Actress on Television, Steven Yeun for Best Supporting Actor in Television, Laurie Holden for Best Supporting Actress in Television, and Noah Emmerich for Best Guest Starring Role in Television.[246] The series was nominated for Best Drama Series by the inaugural 1st Critics' Choice Television Awards.[247] The pilot episode "Days Gone Bye" received three nominations from the 63rd Primetime Emmy Awards—for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series and Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a Series[248] and won for Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Miniseries, Movie, or Special.[249] For the 41st Saturn Awards, the series received its highest number of nominations, with a total of seven, including for the series itself, Andrew Lincoln for Best Actor on Television, Norman Reedus for Best Supporting Actor on Television, Emily Kinney and Melissa McBride for Best Supporting Actress on Television, Andrew J. West for Best Guest Star on Television, and Chandler Riggs for Best Young Performer on Television.[250]
AFI Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | AFI TV Programme of the Year[251] | Frank Darabont, Denise Huth, Tom Luse | Winner |
2012 | AFI TV Programme of the Year[251] | The Walking Dead | Winner |
Artios Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Outstanding Achievement in Casting - Television Pilot - Drama[251] | Sharon Bialy, Lisa Mae Fincannon, Sherry Thomas, Craig Fincannon | Nominated |
ASCAP Film and Television Music Awards
- For information on music in The Walking Dead, please see Music Portal.
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2013 | Top Television Series[251] | Bear McCreary | Winner |
Astra Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2013 | Most Outstanding Drama – International[251] | The Walking Dead Season 3 | Nominated |
2014 | Favourite Program - International Drama | The Walking Dead | Won |
2015 | Most Outstanding Drama – International | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
BloodGuts UK Horror Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | Best TV Show[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
Bram Stoker Award
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Screenplay[252] | Scott Gimple (for the episode "Save the Last One") | Nominated |
Scott Gimple (for the episode "Pretty Much Dead Already") | Nominated | ||
2012 | Screenplay | Sang Kyu Kim (for the episode "Killer Within") | Nominated |
2013 | Screenplay | Glen Mazzara (for the episode "Welcome to the Tombs") | Winner |
2014 | Screenplay | Scott M. Gimple (for the episode "The Grove") | Nominated |
Cinema Audio Society Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for Television Series[251] | Gary D. Rogers, Bartek Swiatek, Dan Hiland (for the episode "What Lies Ahead") | Nominated |
2014 | Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for Television Series - One Hour[251] | Michael P. Clark, Dan Hiland, Gary D. Rogers, Greg Crawford (for the episode "Home") | Nominated |
2015 | Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for Television Series - One Hour[251] | Michael P. Clark, Gary D. Rogers, Dan Hiland (for the episode "No Sanctuary") | Nominated |
2016 | Outstanding Achievement in Sound Mixing for Television Series - One Hour[251] | Michael P. Clark, Gary D. Rogers, Dan Hiland, Eric Gotthelf (for the episode "First Time Again") | Nominated |
Critics' Choice Television Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Best Drama Series[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
2013 | Best Actor in a Drama Series[251] | Andrew Lincoln | Nominated |
2014 | Best Supporting Actress in a Drama Series[251] | Melissa McBride | Nominated |
2015 | Most Bingeworthy Show[251] | The Walking Dead | Winner |
2016 | Most Bingeworthy Show[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
2017 | Best Guest Performer in a Drama Series[251] | The Walking Dead | Pending |
Directors Guild of America Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Dramatic Series[251] | Frank Darabont (for the episode "Days Gone Bye") | Nominated |
Dorian Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | TV Drama of the Year [253] | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
Eddie Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Best Edited One-Hour Series for Commercial Television[251] | Hunter M. Via (for the episode "Days Gone Bye") | Winner |
2012 | Best Edited One-Hour Series for Commercial Television[251] | Hunter M. Via (for the episode "Save the Last One") | Nominated |
Emmy Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Miniseries, Movie or a Special[251] | Greg Nicotero, Andy Schoneberg, Garrett Immel, Jake Garber, Kevin Wasner, Howard Berger, Jaremy Aiello (for the episode "Days Gone Bye") | Winner |
Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series[251] | Darleen Stoker, Walter Newman, Michael Baber, Jerry Edemann, Kenneth Young, David Lee Fein, Hilda Hodges (for the episode "Days Gone Bye") | Nominated | |
Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a Series[251] | Jason Sperling, Kristin Johnson, Sam Nicholson, Kent Johnson, Michael Enriquez, Christopher D. Martin, Anthony Ocampo, Michael Cook, Gregory Nicotero (for the episode "Days Gone Bye") | Nominated | |
2012 | Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Miniseries, Movie or a Special[251] | Greg Nicotero, Jake Garber, Andy Schoneberg, Kevin Wasner, Gino Crognale, Carey Jones, Garrett Immel (for the episode "What Lies Ahead") | Winner |
Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series[251] | Jerry Ross, Lou Thomas, Tim Farrell, Phil Barrie, David Lee Fein, Hilda Hodges (for the episode "Beside the Dying Fire") | Nominated | |
Outstanding Special Visual Effects for a Series[251] | Victor Scalise, Jason Sperling, Darrell Pritchett, Eddie Bonin, Valeri Pfahning, Spence Fuller, Martin Hilke, Michael Cook, Jon Rosenthal (for the episode "Beside the Dying Fire") | Nominated | |
2013 | Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Miniseries, Movie or a Special[251] | Greg Nicotero, Jake Garber, Andy Schoneberg, Garrett Immel, Kevin Wasner, Gino Crognale, Carey Jones, Derek Krout (for the episode "30 Days Without An Accident") | Nominated |
Outstanding Interactive Program[254] | The Walking Dead Story Sync (AMCTV.com) | Nominated | |
2014 | Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Supporting Role[251] | Victor Scalise, Darrell Pritchett, Matt Robken, Gary Romey, Martin Hilke, Diego Galtieri, Michael Cook, William L. Arance, Dylen Velasquez, Stargate Studios (for the episode "30 Days Without An Accident") | Nominated |
Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series[251] | Jerry Ross, Michael Baber, Tim Farrell, Lou Thomas, Clayton Weber, Joseph Tsai, Hilda Hodges, Jody Thomas, Catherine Harper (for the episode "Too Far Gone") | Nominated | |
2015 | Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series[251] | Jerry Ross, Tim Farrell, Lou Thomas, Michael Baber, Joseph Tsai, Clayton Weber, Catherine Harper, Gregg Barbanell (for the episode "Conquer") | Nominated |
Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Limited Series, Movie or a Special[251] | Greg Nicotero, Jake Garber, Carey Jones, Garrett Immel, Gino Crognale, Kevin Wasner, Andy Schoneberg (for the episode "Strangers") | Nominated | |
Outstanding Special Visual Effects in a Supporting Role[251] | Episode: "Conquer" | Nominated | |
Outstanding Stunt Coordination for a Drama Series, Limited Series, or Movie[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated | |
Outstanding Interactive Program[251] | Talking Dead | Nominated |
Fangoria Chainsaw Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2015 | Best TV Series[251] | The Walking Dead | Winner |
Best TV Supporting Actor[251] | Norman Reedus | Winner | |
Best TV Makeup/Creature FX[251] | Greg Nicotero, Howard Berger | Winner | |
Best TV Supporting Actress[251] | Melissa McBride | 2nd place | |
Best TV Actor[251] | Andrew Lincoln | 3rd place | |
2016 | Best TV Series[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
Best TV Supporting Actor[251] | Lennie James | Nominated | |
Best TV Makeup/Creature FX[251] | Greg Nicotero, Howard Berger | Nominated |
Golden Globes Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Best Television Series - Drama[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
Golden Reel Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Best Sound Editing in Television Short Form - Dialogue and Automated Dialogue Replacement[255][256] | Kenneth Young, Bruce M. Honda, Darleen Stoker, Lou Thomas, Walter Newman (for the episode "Guts") | Winner |
Best Sound Editing: Long Form Sound Effects and Foley in Television[255] | Walter Newman, Kenneth Young, Jerry Edemann, David Lee Fein, Hilda Hodges, Darleen R. Stoker, Peter Reynolds (for the episode "Days Gone Bye") | Nominated | |
Best Sound Editing: Long Form Dialogue and ADR in Television[255] | Walter Newman, Kenneth Young, Darleen R. Stoker, Lou Thomas, Bruce Honda, Skip Schoolnik (for the episode "Days Gone Bye") | Nominated | |
2012 | Best Sound Editing in Television Long Form - Sound Effects & Foley[257] | Gary D. Rogers, Gregg Barbanell, Pamela Kahn, Stacey Michaels (for the episode "What Lies Ahead") | Winner |
Best Sound Editing: Long Form Dialogue and ADR in Television[257] | Jerry Ross, Lou Thomas, Steffan Falesitch, Karyn Foster (for the episode "What Lies Ahead") | Nominated | |
Best Sound Editing: Short Form Dialogue and ADR in Television[251] | Jerry Ross, Lou Thomas, Steffan Falesitch (for the episode "Save the Last One") | Nominated | |
2013 | Best Sound Editing - Short Form Dialogue and ADR in Television[251] | Jerry Ross, Lou Thomas (for the episode "Better Angels") | Nominated |
Best Sound Editing - Short Form Sound Effects and Foley in Television[251] | Jerry Ross, Tim Farrell, Clayton Weber, Hilda Hodges, David Lee Fein (for the episode "Beside the Dying Fire") | Nominated | |
2014 | Best Sound Editing - Short Form Dialogue and ADR in Television[251] | Jerry Ross, Lou Thomas, Tim Farrell, Clayton Weber (for the episode "Too Far Gone") | Nominated |
Best Sound Editing - Short Form Sound Effects and Foley in Television[251] | Jerry Ross, Tim Farrell, Lou Thomas, Clayton Weber, Gregg Barbanell, Dominique Decaudain (for the episode "Home") | Nominated | |
2016 | Best Sound Editing - Short Form Dialogue and ADR in Television[251] | Jerry Ross, Lou Thomas, Tim Farrell (for the episode "Spend") | Nominated |
Hollywood Makeup Artist and Hair Stylist Guild Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2014 | Best Special Makeup Effects - Television and New Media Series[251] | Greg Nicotero, Jake Garber | Winner |
2015 | Best Special Makeup Effects - Television and New Media Series[251] | Greg Nicotero, Jake Garber | Winner |
Best Contemporary Makeup - Episodic Television[251] | Essie Cha, Mayumi Murakami, Chauntelle Langston | Nominated | |
Best Special Makeup Effects - Episodic Television[251] | Greg Nicotero, Jake Garber | Nominated | |
Best Contemporary Makeup - Television and New Media Series[251] | Essie Cha, Mayumi Murakami, Chauntelle Langston | Nominated | |
2016 | Best Special Makeup Effects - Television and New Media Series[251] | Greg Nicotero, Garrett Immel | Winner |
Best Contemporary Makeup - Episodic Television[251] | Essie Cha, Tracey L. Miller-Smith | Nominated |
Hollywood Post Alliance
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | Outstanding Sound - Television[251] | Jerry Ross, Lou Thomas, Tim Farrell, Gary D. Rogers, Dan Hiland, Phil Barrie, Bartek Swiatek (Warner Bros. Sound) | Nominated |
IGN Summer Movie Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | Best TV Hero | Andrew Lincoln (For playing "Rick Grimes") | Winner |
Best New TV Series | The Walking Dead | Nominated | |
2011 | Best TV DVD or Blu-Ray | The Walking Dead: The Complete First Season on DVD and Blu-Ray | Winner |
Best TV Sci-Fi/Horror Series (IGN People's Choice Award) | The Walking Dead | Winner | |
Best TV DVD or Blu-Ray (IGN People's Choice Award) | The Walking Dead: The Complete First Season (Special Edition) on DVD and Blu-Ray | Nominated | |
Best TV Sci-Fi/Horror Series | The Walking Dead | Nominated | |
Best TV Twist | "What Really Happened to Shane and Otis?" | Nominated | |
2012 | Best TV Sci-Fi/Horror Series[251] | The Walking Dead | Winner |
Best TV Hero[251] | Norman Reedus (For playing "Daryl Dixon") | Winner | |
Best TV Sci-Fi/Horror Series (IGN People's Choice Award)[251] | The Walking Dead | Winner | |
Best TV Hero (IGN People's Choice Award)[251] | Norman Reedus (For playing "Daryl Dixon") | Winner | |
Best TV Series[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated | |
Best TV DVD or Blu-Ray[251] | The Walking Dead: The Complete Second Season Limited Edition on Blu-Ray | Nominated | |
2013 | Best TV Horror Series[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
Best TV Episode[251] | "Clear" | Nominated |
International Cinematographers Guild
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Maxwell Weinberg Publicist Showmanship Awards for Television[258] | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
Image Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2016 | Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series[251] | Danai Gurira | Nominated |
LIMA Licensing Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2015 | Film, Television, or Entertainment Live Action Program | The Walking Dead (AMC/Striker Entertainment) | Nominated[259] |
Overall Best Licensed Program | The Walking Dead (AMC/Striker Entertainment) | Nominated[259] | |
Retailer | Hastings | Nominated[259] | |
Film, Television, or Entertainment Live Action Licensee – Hard Goods | Halloween masks and costumes (Trick or Treat Studios) | Nominated[259] |
National Television Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2015 | Most Popular Multichannel Programme[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
One Show
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Design: Outdoor Design / Single[260] | The Walking Dead Cab (Ireland/Davenport) | Merit |
2016 | Film: Craft: Cinematography[261] | The Walking Dead "Shadows" (Bacon & Sons Film, AMC) | Pending |
OFTA Television Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | Best Cinematography in a Series[251] | Rohn Schmidt | Nominated |
Best Makeup/Hairstyling in a Series[251] | Greg Nicotero, Howard Berger, Taylor Knight, Donna M. Premick, Carey Jones, Yolanda Sheridan | Nominated | |
2013 | Best Guest Actor in a Drama Series[251] | Lennie James | Winner |
Best Drama Series[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated | |
Best Direction in a Drama Series[251] | Ernest R. Dickerson, Greg Nicotero, Guy Ferland, Bill Gierhart, Michelle MacLaren, David Boyd, Tricia Brock, Daniel Sackheim, Lesli Linka Glatter, Jeremy Podeswa | Nominated | |
Best Writing in a Drama Series[251] | Charlie Adlard, Frank Darabont, Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, Scott M. Gimple, Glen Mazzara, Angela Kang, Evan T. Reilly, Nichole Beattie, Seth Hoffman | Nominated | |
Best Music in a Series[251] | Bear McCreary | Nominated | |
Best Editing in a Series[251] | Julius Ramsay, Hunter M. Via, Nathan Gunn,Kelley Dixon, Robert Bramwell | Nominated | |
Best Cinematography in a Series[251] | Rohn Schmidt, Michael E. Satrazemis | Nominated | |
Best Production Design in a Series[251] | Graham 'Grace' Walker, Gregory Melton, Doug Fick, Kristen Donaldson | Nominated | |
Best Sound in a Series[251] | Jerry Ross, Bartek Swiatek, David Kelson | Nominated | |
Best Visual Effects in a Series[251] | Victor Scalise, Jason Sperling, Jon Rosenthal, Darrell Pritchett | Nominated | |
Best New Titles Sequence[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated | |
Best Makeup/Hairstyling in a Series[251] | Greg Nicotero, Howard Berger, Taylor Knight, Andy Schoneberg, Kevin Wasner, Jake Garber, Carey Jones, Yolanda Sheridan | Nominated | |
2014 | Best Direction in a Drama Series[251] | Ernest R. Dickerson, Greg Nicotero, Guy Ferland, Bill Gierhart, Michelle MacLaren, David Boyd, Tricia Brock, Seth Mannino, Lesli Linka Glatter, Jeremy Podeswa, Stefan Schwartz, Michael Uppendahl, Jeffrey F. January, Julius Ramsay, Michael E. Satrazemis | Winner |
Best Drama Series[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated | |
Best Cinematography in a Series[251] | Rohn Schmidt, Michael E. Satrazemis, Stephen Campbell | Nominated | |
Best Costume Design in a Series[251] | Eulyn Womble | Nominated | |
Best Makeup/Hairstyling in a Series[251] | Greg Nicotero, Howard Berger, Taylor Knight, Donna M. Premick, Carey Jones
Garrett Immel, Gino Crognale, Yolanda Sheridan |
Nominated | |
Best Sound in a Series[251] | Jerry Ross, Michael P. Clark, Bartek Swiatek, David Kelson | Nominated | |
Best Visual Effects in a Series[251] | Victor Scalise, Jason Sperling, Darrell Pritchett | Nominated | |
2015 | Best Music in a Series[251] | Nominated | |
Best Editing in a Series[251] | Nominated | ||
Best Cinematography in a Series[251] | Nominated | ||
Best Makeup/Hairstyling in a Series[251] | Nominated | ||
Best Visual Effects in a Series[251] | Nominated |
People's Choice Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
2013 | Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
Favorite Cable TV Drama[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated | |
2014 | Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy Show[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
Favorite Cable TV Drama[251] | The Walking Dead | Winner | |
Favorite TV Anti-Hero[251] | Andrew Lincoln as "Rick Grimes" | Winner | |
Favorite TV Hero[251] | Norman Reedus | Winner | |
Favorite TV Hero[251] | Andrew Lincoln | Nominated | |
2015 | Favorite TV Show[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
Favorite Cable Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated | |
Favorite TV Character We Miss Most[251] | Scott Wilson as "Hershel Greene" | Nominated | |
2016 | Favorite TV Show[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
Favorite Cable Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated | |
2017 | Favorite TV Show | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
Favorite Cable TV Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Show | The Walking Dead | Winner | |
Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actor | Andrew Lincoln | Nominated | |
Favorite Sci-Fi/Fantasy TV Actress | Lauren Cohan | Nominated | |
2022 | The Drama Show of 2022[262] | The Walking Dead[262] | Pending |
The Drama TV Star of 2022[262] | Norman Reedus[262] | Pending | |
The Male TV Star of 2022[262] | Norman Reedus[262] | Pending |
Rondo Hatton Classic Horror Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2014 | Best TV Presentation[251] | Scott M. Gimple, AMC Studios | Winner |
Satellite Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Best Television Series, Genre[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
2012 | Best Television Series, Genre[251] | The Walking Dead | Winner |
Best Ensemble, Television[251] | Andrew Lincoln, Sarah Wayne Callies, Laurie Holden, Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Chandler Riggs, Danai Gurira, Michael Rooker and David Morrissey | Winner | |
2013 | Best Television Series or Miniseries, Genre[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
2014 | Best Television Series, Genre[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
2015 | Best Television Series, Genre[251] | The Walking Dead | Winner |
Saturn Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Best Television Presentation[263] | The Walking Dead | Winner |
Best Actor on Television[263] | Andrew Lincoln | Nominated | |
Best Actress on Television[263] | Sarah Wayne Callies | Nominated | |
Best Guest Starring Role on Television[263] | Noah Emmerich | Nominated | |
Best Supporting Actor on Television[263] | Steven Yeun | Nominated | |
Best Supporting Actress on Television[263] | Laurie Holden | Nominated | |
2012 | Best Presentation on Television[264] | The Walking Dead | Winner |
Best Supporting Actor on Television[264] | Norman Reedus | Nominated | |
The Innovator Award[265] | Robert Kirkman | Winner | |
2013 | Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series[266] | The Walking Dead | Winner |
Best Actor on Television[266] | Andrew Lincoln | Nominated | |
Best Supporting Actor on Television[266] | David Morrissey | Nominated | |
Best Supporting Actress on Television[266] | Laurie Holden | Winner | |
2014 | Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series[267] | The Walking Dead | Winner |
Best Supporting Actress on Television[267] | Melissa McBride | Winner | |
Best Guest Starring Role on Television[267] | David Morrissey | Nominated | |
Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Television Series[267] | Chandler Riggs | Winner | |
Best Television Release on DVD/Blu-Ray[251] | The Walking Dead: The Complete Third Season | Nominated | |
2015 | Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series[268] | The Walking Dead | Winner |
Best Actor on Television[268] | Andrew Lincoln | Winner | |
Best Supporting Actor on Television[268] | Norman Reedus | Nominated | |
Best Supporting Actress on Television[268] | Emily Kinney | Nominated | |
Melissa McBride | Winner | ||
Best Guest Star on Television[268] | Andrew J. West | Nominated | |
Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Television Series[268] | Chandler Riggs | Nominated | |
2016 | Best Horror Television Series[251] | The Walking Dead | Winner |
Best Actor on Television[251] | Andrew Lincoln | Nominated | |
Best Supporting Actress on Television[251] | Tovah Feldshuh | Nominated | |
Danai Gurira | Winner | ||
Melissa McBride | Nominated | ||
Best Guest Star on Television[268] | John Carroll Lynch | Nominated | |
Best Performance by a Younger Actor in a Television Series[251] | Chandler Riggs | Winner | |
2017 | Best Horror Television Series | The Walking Dead | Winner |
Best Actor on a Television Series | Andrew Lincoln | Winner | |
Best Supporting Actor on a Television Series | Norman Reedus | Nominated | |
Best Supporting Actress on a Television Series | Danai Gurira | Nominated | |
Melissa McBride | Nominated | ||
Best Younger Actor on a Television Series | Chandler Riggs | Nominated | |
Best Guest Performance on a Television Series | Jeffrey Dean Morgan | Winner | |
2018 | Best Horror Television Series | The Walking Dead | Winner |
Best Actor on a Television Series | Andrew Lincoln | Nominated | |
Best Supporting Actor on a Television Series | Khary Payton | Nominated | |
Best Supporting Actress on a Television Series | Danai Gurira | Nominated | |
Melissa McBride | Nominated | ||
Best Performance by a Younger Actor on a Television Series | Chandler Riggs | Winner | |
Best Guest-Starring Performance on Television | Jeffrey Dean Morgan | Nominated | |
2019 | Best Horror Television Series | The Walking Dead | Winner |
Best Actor on a Television Series | Andrew Lincoln | Nominated | |
Best Supporting Actor on a Television Series | Khary Payton | Nominated | |
Best Supporting Actress on a Television Series | Danai Gurira | Winner | |
Melissa McBride | Nominated | ||
Best Guest-Starring Performance on Television | Jeffrey Dean Morgan | Winner | |
2021 | Best Horror Television Series | The Walking Dead | Winner |
Best Supporting Actor on a Television Series | Norman Reedus | Nominated | |
Best Supporting Actress on a Television Series | Melissa McBride | Nominated | |
Best Performance by a Younger Actor on a Television Series | Cassady McClincy | Nominated | |
Best Guest-Starring Performance on Television | Jeffrey Dean Morgan | Nominated | |
2022 | Best Horror Television Series - Network/Cable | The Walking Dead | Winner |
Best Supporting Actor on a Television Series - Network/Cable | Michael James Shaw | Nominated | |
Best Supporting Actress on a Television Series - Network/Cable | Lauren Cohan | Winner | |
Melissa McBride | Nominated | ||
Best Guest-Starring Performance on Television - Network/Cable | Jeffrey Dean Morgan | Nominated | |
Michael Biehn | Nominated | ||
2024 | Dan Curtis Legacy Award | The Walking Dead franchise | Winner |
Scream Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | The Ultimate Scream[251] | Nominated | |
Best TV Show[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated | |
Best Horror Actress[251] | Sarah Wayne Callies | Nominated | |
Best Horror Actor[251] | Andrew Lincoln | Nominated | |
Best Supporting Actress[251] | Laurie Holden | Nominated | |
Breakout Performance - Male[251] | Jon Bernthal | Nominated |
Screen Actors Guild Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2013 | Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series[251] | Ashley Rae Trisler, Russell Towery, Bob Fisher, Andrew Rusk, Taylor Towery, Philip Dido, W. Dante Ha | Nominated |
2014 | Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series[251] | Shellita Boxie, Elizabeth Davidovich, Becky Decker, Bob Fisher, Cal Johnson, Jasi Cotton Lanier, Ben Loggins, T. Ryan Mooney, Andrew Rusk, Russell Towery, Taylor Towery | Nominated |
2015 | Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series[251] | Jennifer Badger, Tye Claybrook Jr., Marcelle Coletti, Elizabeth Davidovich, Greg Dela Riva, Becky Decker, Nick DeKay, Philip Dido, Bob Fisher, Karin Justman, Ben Loggins, Anderson Martin, T. Ryan Mooney, Meredith Richardson, Andrew Rusk, Dalton Simons, Monty L. Simons, Savannah Simons, Russell Towery, Ashley Rae Trisler, Kevin Waterman | Nominated |
2016 | Outstanding Action Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series[251] | Laura M. Beamer, Marcelle Coletti, Stephen Conroy, Raven-Danielle Baker, Elizabeth Davidovich, Keith Davis, Nick DeKay, Greg Dela Riva, Anthony DiRocco, Ian Eyre, Rachel Gelfeld, Damita Jane Howard, Duke Jackson, Cal Johnson, Ashley Rae Trisler, Marque Ohmes, Ryan D. Olson, Meredith Richardson, Bayland Rippenkroeger, Andy Rusk, Felipe Savahge, Dalton Simons, Monty L. Simons, Savannah Simons, Christopher Tardieu, Nikki Tomlinson, Casey Ann Zeller | Nominated |
Society of Camera Operators
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2015 | Camera Operator of the Year - Television[251] | Stephen Campbell | Nominated |
Streamy Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2013 | Best Derivative Series[269] | Cold Storage | Winner |
Teen Choice Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Choice TV: Breakout Show[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
Television Critics Association Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Outstanding New Program[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
2013 | Program of the Year[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
TP de Oro
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | Best Foreign Series (Mejor Serie Extranjera)[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
TV Guide Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | Favorite Horror Series[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
2013 | Favorite Actor[251] | Andrew Lincoln | Nominated |
Favorite Villain[251] | David Morrissey as "The Governor" | Nominated | |
2014 | Favorite Horror Series[251] | The Walking Dead | Winner |
Favorite Actor[251] | Andrew Lincoln | Nominated |
TV Quick Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Best New Drama[251] | Frank Darabont, Tom Luse, Denise M. Huth | Nominated |
Visual Effects Society Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2011 | Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Broadcast Program[251] | Sam Nicholson, Kent Johnson, Christopher D. Martin, Jason Sperling | Nominated |
Webby Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Webby Result | People's Voice |
---|---|---|---|---|
2012 | Interactive Advertising - Game or Application[270] | The Walking Dead – The Game | Honoree | Honoree |
2013 | Best Writing[271] | Michael Petok, Chris Pollack, Jared Hoffman, Sarah Donohue, AMC Digital, Generate (The Walking Dead Webisodes: Cold Storage) | Nominated | Winner |
Drama[272] | John Esposito (The Walking Dead Webisodes: Cold Storage) | Nominated | Winner | |
2014 | Drama: Individual Short or Episode[273] | Greg Nicotero, Jared Hoffman, Michael Petok, Chris Pollack, Luke Passmore (The Walking Dead Webisodes: The Oath) | Honoree | Honoree |
Documentary: Individual Episode[274] | The Making of The Walking Dead Season 3 Finale | Honoree | Honoree | |
2015 | Drama: Long Form or Series[275] | The Walking Dead Webisodes: Torn Apart - A New Day | Winner | Winner |
Online Film & Video: Variety[276] | Talking Dead (AMC) | Winner | Winner |
Writers Guild of America Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2010 | New Series[277] | Frank Darabont, Robert Kirkman, Glen Mazzara, Jack LoGiudice, Charles H. Eglee, Adam Fierro | Nominated |
2012 | Outstanding Achievement in Writing Derivative New Media[278] | John Esposito, Gregory Nicotero, Generate (The Walking Dead Webisodes: Torn Apart) | Winner |
2013 | Outstanding Achievement in Writing Derivative New Media[278] | John Esposito, Generate, AMC Studios (The Walking Dead Webisodes: Cold Storage) | Winner |
Young Artist Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2012 | Best Performance in a TV Series - Leading Young Actor[251] | Chandler Riggs | Nominated |
Best Performance in a TV Series - Recurring Young Actress[251] | Madison Leisle | Nominated | |
2013 | Best Performance in a TV Series - Leading Young Actor[251] | Chandler Riggs | Nominated |
Best Performance in a TV Series - Recurring Young Actress[251] | Madison Lintz | Nominated | |
2014 | Best Performance in a TV Series - Leading Young Actor[251] | Chandler Riggs | Winner |
2016 | Best Performance in a TV Series - Recurring Young Actress (14 - 21)[251] | Katelyn Nacon | Nominated |
Young Hollywood Awards
Year | Category | Nominee(s) | Result |
---|---|---|---|
2014 | Bingeworthy TV Show[251] | The Walking Dead | Nominated |
We Love to Hate You[251] | Zombies | Nominated |
Franchise and Spin-Offs
- Main article: The Walking Dead Television Universe
Webisodes
As of 2018, four web series based on The Walking Dead have been released via AMC's website: Torn Apart (2011), Cold Storage (2012), The Oath (2013)[279] and Red Machete (2017).[280]
Title | Writer(s) | Director(s) | Original Post Date | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "A New Day" | John Esposito | Greg Nicotero | October 3, 2011 |
2. | "Family Matters" | John Esposito | Greg Nicotero | October 3, 2011 |
3. | "Domestic Violence" | John Esposito | Greg Nicotero | October 3, 2011 |
4. | "Neighborly Advice" | John Esposito | Greg Nicotero | October 3, 2011 |
5. | "Step-Mother" | John Esposito | Greg Nicotero | October 3, 2011 |
6. | "Everything Dies" | John Esposito | Greg Nicotero | October 3, 2011 |
Title | Writer(s) | Director(s) | Original Post Date | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Hide and Seek" | John Esposito | Greg Nicotero | October 1, 2012 |
2. | "Keys to the Kingdom" | John Esposito | Greg Nicotero | October 1, 2012 |
3. | "The Chosen Ones" | John Esposito | Greg Nicotero | October 1, 2012 |
4. | "Parting Shots" | John Esposito | Greg Nicotero | October 1, 2012 |
Title | Writer(s) | Director(s) | Original Post Date | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Alone" | Luke Passmore | Greg Nicotero | October 1, 2013 |
2. | "Choice" | Luke Passmore | Greg Nicotero | October 1, 2013 |
3. | "Bond" | Luke Passmore | Greg Nicotero | October 1, 2013 |
Title | Writer(s) | Director(s) | Original Post Date | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1. | "Behind Us" | Nick Bernardone | Avi Youabian | October 22, 2017 |
2. | "Sorrowful" | Nick Bernardone | Avi Youabian | November 19, 2017 |
3. | "Made to Suffer" | Nick Bernardone | Avi Youabian | December 10, 2017 |
4. | "What We Become" | Nick Bernardone | Avi Youabian | February 25, 2018 |
5. | "Gone" | Nick Bernardone | Avi Youabian | March 20, 2018 |
6. | "We Find Ourselves" | Nick Bernardone | Avi Youabian | April 9, 2018 |
Talking Dead
- Main article: Talking Dead
A live television aftershow titled Talking Dead premiered on AMC on October 16, 2011, following the encore presentation of second-season premiere of The Walking Dead. Talking Dead features host Chris Hardwick discussing the latest episode with fans, actors, and producers of The Walking Dead.[281]
Television Series
Fear the Walking Dead
- Main article: Fear the Walking Dead
Fear the Walking Dead is a companion series to The Walking Dead, developed by AMC. AMC started development of the series around September 2013 and committed to a two-season broadcast by March 2015.[282][283][284] Fear the Walking Dead first premiered on August 23, 2015.[285] The series ended on November 19, 2023, after the conclusion of the eighth and final season.[286]
The Walking Dead: World Beyond
- Main article: The Walking Dead: World Beyond
In April 2019, AMC officially announced it had ordered a 10-episode limited series created by Scott Gimple and Matt Negrete. The series focuses on the first generation of children that have grown up during the zombie apocalypse who call themselves "Endlings",[287] and are aware of how to survive if confronted by them, but have otherwise been raised behind walls and have never actually experienced survival.[288] The series premiered on October 4, 2020, and ended on December 5, 2021, after two seasons.[289][290][291]
Tales of the Walking Dead
- Main article: Tales of the Walking Dead
In October 2021, AMC officially greenlit a six-episode series which premiered on August 14, 2022, and ended on September 18, 2022. Channing Powell, who wrote for both The Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead, served as showrunner. It is an episodic anthology series that features new and existing characters within The Walking Dead universe.[292]
The Walking Dead: Dead City
- Main article: The Walking Dead: Dead City
In March 2022, AMC officially greenlit Isle of the Dead, starring Cohan and Morgan as their characters Maggie and Negan respectively. They are also executive producing with Eli Jorné, who is serving as showrunner. The series is set in Manhattan. In August 2022, the series was retitled as The Walking Dead: Dead City.[293] The series premiered on June 18, 2023.[294] In July 2023, it was renewed for a second season.[295]
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon
- Main article: The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon
This Daryl-focused spin-off series premiered on September 10, 2023.[296] In July 2023, it was renewed for a second season.[295]
The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live
- Main article: The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live
The six-episode series featuring Rick and Michonne is set to premiere on February 25, 2024.[297]
More Tales from the Walking Dead Universe
- Main article: More Tales from the TWDU
The development of a series entitled More Tales from the Walking Dead Universe was announced in April 2023.[298]
Others
Wizards of the Coast worked with AMC to include characters and elements of The Walking Dead, into Magic: The Gathering as part of a 2020 "Secret Lair" card set, given that the card game had already had the idea of zombies within the game already.[299]
Parodies and Spoofs
Due to its popularity, The Walking Dead has inspired dozens of parodies and spoofs featured on YouTube channels like Bad Lip Reading and television series such as Saturday Night Live[300][301] and Mad TV.[302] Bad Lip Reading made a widely viewed parody involving Rick and the Governor, entitled "La-Bibbida-Bibba-Dum".[303] The series' cast was shown the parody at the San Diego Comic-Con in 2013, and David Morrissey—who portrays the Governor— reacted by saying he now understood why so many people would walk up to him on the street and blurt, "Hey, La-Bibbida-Bibba-Dum!" Until seeing the video, he had wondered, "what's wrong with these people?"[304] The Walking Dead has also been represented as a live comedy performance by English comedian Dan Willis at the Edinburgh Festival.[305] A parody film called The Walking Deceased was released in 2015.[306]
Lawsuits
Breach of Contract Suits
Frank Darabont's departure as showrunner in July 2011 during the second season came as surprise to many, as it came shortly after the season's premiere and a few days after that year's Comic-Con, where Darabont helped to promote the series.[307] It was speculated that he was unable to adjust to the schedule of running a television series;[308] however, The Hollywood Reporter reported that AMC had fired him. There had been reported difficulties in the production of the second season, including disputes over planned budget cuts and executive meddling, and it was known that Darabont and AMC had several discussions relating to these factors. Neither Darabont, AMC, nor the cast nor crew of The Walking Dead spoke about the reasons for his firing.[309]
In December 2013, Darabont and his agents from Creative Artists Agency (CAA) filed a lawsuit against AMC in a New York court, citing breach of contract. A central part of Darabont's lawsuit accuses AMC of denying him and the CAA the promised profits from the success of the series, based on how AMC had used vertical integration in producing and distributing The Walking Dead.[307] As stated in Darabont's filing, he had initially entered into a contract with AMC to have a third-party studio produce the series, from which he would have obtained 12.5% of that entity's profits, after standard deductions. AMC wanted to produce the series in-house, and for the first season, Darabont's lawyers had been assured that Darabont would be protected from self-dealing fees by having AMC commit to imputed license fees equivalent to those of other independent studios, with Darabont earning profit from that. Darabont's suit contends that when the series' popularity took off, AMC presented a license fee deal to Darabont around February 2011 that used "an unconscionably low license fee formula" such that AMC could report the series running at a loss and ensuring that Darabont would never see any profit from the series; as an example, the suit references statements in 2012, following the second season, that AMC claimed the series was running at a $49 million deficit, despite being one of the most popular series in broadcast.[307] Darabont's suit contends he was fired just at the start of the second season so that AMC would avoid having to pay him.[307]
Initial discovery phase hearings were held in 2014. Darabont's lawyers sought to gain information from AMC on their other series, specifically Breaking Bad and Mad Men, to obtain a "fair market value" for The Walking Dead. AMC asserted it had done no wrongdoing, had already paid Darabont $3 million upfront for two seasons, and was able to properly set the imputed license fee that worked into the profit formula for Darabont. The network resisted the request to provide otherwise confidential information on the other series.[310] The court granted Darabont's lawyers access to the requested information as part of the discovery phase.[311] Darabont described "crisis-level problems" during the series' production while under deposition, claiming that AMC had cut the per-episode budget from $3.4 million to $3 million while keeping the tax credit offered by the state of Georgia for filming there, effectively reducing the production budget by 25%.[312]
In August 2015, Darabont requested to amend his original complaint that AMC further reduced his profits from the second season as his firing mid-season meant he was not fully vested in the season, allowing AMC to reduce the profits paid him. Darabont's amended request points out that he had written and produced all the episodes in that season already and was entitled to the proper profit share.[313] The judge granted this amendment in February 2016, partially influenced by concerns raised in Darabont's deposition.[314]
At the end of the discovery phase in September 2016, Darabont's lawyers stated they were seeking damages of over $280 million; AMC stated they would "vigorously" defend against the lawsuit.[315] Summary judgement statements were completed in July 2017.[316] While waiting for summary judgement, Darabont and the CAA filed a second lawsuit against AMC, based on further evaluation of material from the discovery phase. The second suit contended that AMC purposely manipulated some of its licensing fees that should go to Darabont, such as revenue from digital sales and from overseas markets, and sought an addition $10 million in damages.[317] Though AMC had initially refused to provide necessary documents for discovery for this new case, AMC did offer to willingly provide them after Darabont's attorneys threatened further legal action during October 2018.[318] By December 2018, the presiding judge ruled against issuing summary judgement in the case, setting up for a jury trial to hear the full case.[319] Due to the retirement of the judge that had overseen the previous cases, a new judge was assigned to the case in February 2019, who joined both the initial 2013 suit and the 2018 suit into a single case, expected to be heard in May 2020.[320] AMC filed a new request for summary judgement of the case in December 2019.[321] The summary judgement was denied, and the jury trial for the case started on February 10, 2020.[322] The judge also denied AMC summary judgement in the second suit for the additional $10 million in April 2020, determining that should also go to jury.[323]
By July 2021, AMC reported they had settled with Darabont and CAA for $200 million and future royalty payments.[324]
In August 2017, Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, Charles Eglee, Glen Mazzara and David Alpert filed similar lawsuits against AMC, citing breach of contract over profits owed to them as a result of AMC's vertical integration. As with Darabont, each had been given a certain percentage of the series's profits based on whether the series was produced by a third party, but when it was transitioned to AMC Studios, their share was dramatically reduced. The Hollywood Reporter estimated that if the four sought similar damages to Darabont's, the lawsuit could be as high as $1 billion.[325] The suits, filed separately in Los Angeles and New York City, were consolidated into a single case heard in a Los Angeles court.[326] Initial hearings over the contractual terms of the "modified adjusted gross receipts" were held in February and March 2020, and the court ruled in July 2020 that AMC had followed the contractual terms in calculating these amounts, giving the network a preliminary victory in the trial.[327] The court issued its final ruling in April 2022, granting summary judgment in favor of AMC, with the judge ruling that there was no contractual language in the plaintiffs' contract dealing with the "modified adjusted gross receipts" and thus there was no actionable claims they could make.[328] Kirkman and the others said that despite the lawsuit, they will continue to work as "partners" with AMC to assure continued success of The Walking Dead and its spin-off series Fear the Walking Dead.[329]
Stuntman Death
During filming of season 8 in July 2017, stuntman John Bernecker was performing a 21-foot drop but ended up missing padded cushions and instead fell onto the concrete floor, sustaining a serious head injury. Though rushed to a hospital, his injuries were too severe and he was taken off life support the next day. AMC and the show's cast and crew expressed remorse for the accident, shutting down production for several days to deal with Bernecker's funeral. The Atlanta Occupational Safety and Health Administration branch launched an investigation of the incident.[330] Bernecker's mother filed a lawsuit in January 2018 against AMC asserting that the production had not taken sufficient precautions to protect Bernecker, including lack of sufficient padding, lack of rehearsal, and not having an ambulance ready to treat his injury.[331] The judge presiding the lawsuit dismissed AMC's claims that it was not responsible since Bernecker was in full control of setting up the stunt, allowing the case to proceed to a jury trial.[332] The trial was held during December 2019,[333] with the jury awarding Bernecker's family $8.6 million in damages on December 19 after finding that TWD 8, the AMC entity managing production, and the production company Stalwart Films were negligent in Bernecker's death, while clearing AMC itself of any wrongdoing.[334]
References
See Also
- Official AMC The Walking Dead site
- Walking Dead infographic Weapons and kill stat infographic by Virginmedia.com
- Exclusive: A review of the pilot script for The Walking Dead TV series Corona Coming Attractions, Patrick Sauriol, (January 25, 2010).
- The Talking Dead : A podcast dedicated to The Walking Dead (TV Series).
- Hale, Andreas The Walking Dead Comic Is Coming To Life,drjays. (August 18, 2010). Trailer, shown at 2010 Comic-Con.
- WalkingDead-TV.Info : Fan reference site for The Walking Dead TV Series
- Walking Dead Merchandise : Licensed merchandise from the TV Series
The Walking Dead Television Universe
| |
---|---|
Shows | TV Series • Fear • World Beyond • Tales • Dead City • Daryl Dixon • The Ones Who Live • More Tales |
Webisodes | Torn Apart • Cold Storage • The Oath • Flight 462 • Passage • Red Machete • The Althea Tapes • Dead in the Water |
Games | Dead Reckoning • Survival Instinct • Onslaught • Pathways |
Podcasts | Radio Waves |
Shorts | 360 Experience |