The Walking Dead Future Projects: Dead City, Daryl Dixon & What’s Next

The Walking Dead world isn’t dead yet! it’s shifting. Right now, the only clear next steps are Dead City Season 3 and Daryl Dixon Season 4. Beyond that, the true future is murky but intriguing.

Dead City’s third season is set to continue Maggie and Negan’s struggle in a worn-down New York. We don’t know the full story yet, but it will push that dynamic further and test characters in a rougher world.

Daryl Dixon’s final season is already filmed and will cap off one of the best pieces of media this franchise has produced in years. I genuinely think Daryl Dixon is the most solid Walking Dead content of the modern era, it is cinematic, tense, and the Daryl/Carol dynamic is compelling in a way the franchise rarely hit these past few seasons.

These next two seasons feel like the last of the old guard before something bigger — or potentially the end — takes shape!

A Crossover Event Could Be the Big Future Move

Scott Gimple, the universe’s chief content officer, has openly talked about wanting to merge the spinoffs into a single crossover event. He says he’s laid “breadcrumbs” toward that goal, though nothing official has been announced yet.

Fans have theorized this could be something like an Avengers: Endgame-style culmination for characters like Rick, Daryl, Maggie, and more. Rumors suggest such a unified series might be in early development — possibly even labeled as a de facto new season — though this is not confirmed.

This crossover idea feels necessary to me. The universe has splintered so much that it no longer feels like a cohesive narrative! A real reunion, where we see Rick, Daryl, and the rest of the found family together again is the only way this sprawling story will feel complete rather than scattered...

Rick Grimes and What’s Next

Rick’s story in The Ones Who Live was presented as a conclusion, but Gimple has hinted that anything is possible regarding further tales for him. There are ongoing conversations about Andrew Lincoln’s potential return, though no firm project is confirmed.

I worry about how they treat his return. If they follow the comics and kill Rick again just to chase shock value, fans will feel cheated. I genuinely hope they let him live in peace now that he’s reunited with his family. That’s the emotional payoff most of us were waiting for.

More Tales and Anthologies

AMC has discussed bringing back an anthology format like Tales of the Walking Dead, or even a short-form version. There hasn’t been much movement yet, and if it does appear it won’t be soon.

Honestly, given how generic some of the world-building has become — with big government factions and sprawling communities — returning to smaller survival stories could be stronger. The early seasons worked because survival was personal, raw, and unpredictable.. I miss that tone! A fresh anthology could bring it back without needing huge crossover stakes.

Long-Term Plans and Possible Endgame

Behind the scenes, AMC executives have talked about the possibility of Walking Dead continuing for many more years, potentially into the next decade. The franchise could run for 15 more years if the stories and characters stay compelling.

But here’s the reality: viewership has dipped significantly, and many fans feel like the franchise is being milked dry. Personally, I feel like the universe has stretched too far without a strong central story. At this point, the long waits between seasons and the slow rollout of content drain interest. If they don’t deliver that big crossover or a definitive finale, I think a lot of fans — myself included — will walk away disappointed..

What I’d Like to See Next

Looking at the possibilities, here are ideas that feel natural for the future:

• A massive crossover event that unites the main survivors — Rick, Daryl, Michonne, and others — in one story arc (season 12).

• A soft reboot that strips back the bloated world and returns focus to survival and character over politics and factions.

These aren’t fan wishes pulled out of thin air, the universe has teased the potential paths, and fans have been calling for these directions for years. None are official yet, but they feel like the best way forward.