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Tag: andrew lincoln

  • Melissa McBride to Appear on ‘Walking Dead’ Spin-Off

    Melissa McBride and Norman Reedus on 'The Walking Dead.'
    (L to R) Melissa McBride and Norman Reedus on ‘The Walking Dead.’ Photo: Jace Downs/AMC.

    Preview

    • AMC confirmed that Melissa McBride is officially joining ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’ for Season 2.
    • The new season will be called ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon –– The Book of Carol’.
    • The first teaser for the Andrew Lincoln/Danai Gurira-starring ‘The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live’ was unveiled.

    The original show might have shuffled off like a walker into the televisual sunset, but the universe of ‘The Walking Dead’ is more than healthy, with plenty of spin-offs either already aired (‘The Walking Dead: Dead City’), in progress (‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’) or on the way (‘The Walking Dead: Those Who Live’).

    And AMC chose this year’s New York City Comic-Con to drop some fresh news about two of those series.

    First up, we have ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’.

    Is Melissa McBride returning as Carol for ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’?

    Melissa McBride on 'The Walking Dead.'
    Melissa McBride on ‘The Walking Dead.’ Photo: AMC.

    Good news for Carol/Daryl “shippers”, Melissa McBride will indeed be back as Carol Peletier for Season 2 on ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’.

    McBride, who played the character for 11 seasons on the main show, was originally going to return for the spin-off, but fans were dismayed to learn that she wouldn’t be making it across to Europe for the series, citing scheduling clashes and a desire to take a break from zombie worries.

    Here’s what McBride said in a statement about the news:

    “I’ve known there was much more to be told of Carol’s story as I felt her so unsettled when we last saw her, as she watched her best friend, Daryl, ride away. Apart or (hopefully!) together, their stories run deep, and I’m so excited to continue Carol’s journey here. This team of storytellers have done amazing work to land these two established characters in an entirely new world to them, and I’m loving the discoveries!”

    What’s the story of ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’?

    Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon in 'The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.'
    Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon in ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.’ Photo Credit: Emmanuel Guimier/AMC.

    The six-episode spin-off series finds Daryl (Norman Reedus) fighting his way through a walker infested and deadly divided L’hexagone in France to protect a child who many believe could save the world.

    From the sounds of it, he will make it back for the second season, which is now titled ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon –– The Book of Carol’ set to debut in 2024.

    Quite the mouthful of a title!

    Related Article: Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan will star in latest ‘The Walking Dead’ Spin-off, ‘Isle of the Dead’

    First teaser for ‘The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live’

    Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in 'The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.'
    Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in ‘The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.’ Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC.

    If there is an even more anticipated bit of ‘Walking Dead’ news, it would be anything about the Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira-starring ‘The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live’.

    The spin-off is described as an epic love story of two characters changed by a changed world. Rick and Michonne are thrown into another world, built on a war against the dead… and ultimately, a war against the living.

    Can they find each other and who they were in a place and situation unlike any they’ve ever known before? Are they enemies? Lovers? Victims? Victors?  Without each other, are they even alive — or will they find that they, too, are the Walking Dead?

    Or, if we’re being snarky, was the real Walking Dead the decomposing friends they made along the way?

    This first look is certainly dramatic and has some flashes of action, but we’ll surely see more ahead of the show’s February 2024 premiere.

    Who else is in ‘The Waking Dead: The Ones Who Live’?

    Danai Gurira as Michonne in 'The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.'
    Danai Gurira as Michonne in ‘The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live.’ Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC.

    Alongside the two stars, the cast will see the return of Pollyanna McIntosh as Jadis from ‘The Walking Dead’, while Terry O’Quinn will play Beale, Matt Jeffries will show up at Matt. And Lesley-Ann Brandt has the role of Pearl.

    It’s important to note at this point that AMC has secured a SAG-AFTRA interim agreement to allow its cast to shoot during the actors’ strike.

    Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon in 'The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.'
    Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon in ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.’ Photo Credit: Emmanuel Guimier/AMC.

    Movies Similar to ‘The Walking Dead’:

    Buy ‘The Walking Dead‘ on Amazon

  • Marvel Delaying More TV Series

    (Left) Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez in Disney+'s 'Echo.' Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness in Marvel Studios' 'Wandavision' exclusively on Disney+. Captain Carter in Marvel Studios' 'What If…?' exclusively on Disney+.
    (Left) Alaqua Cox as Maya Lopez in Disney+’s ‘Echo.’ (Center) Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness in Marvel Studios’ ‘Wandavision’ exclusively on Disney+. Photo by Suzanne Tenner. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved. (Right) Captain Carter in Marvel Studios’ ‘What If…?’ exclusively on Disney+. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.

    The consequences of the studios and other big companies that make up the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers (AMPTP) not negotiating in good faith with writers and actors are continuing to be felt.

    We already learned that Disney and Marvel have been juggling their schedules for big screen output to accommodate films that are delayed due to the strikes (or completed projects for which they want talent to be available to promote).

    Yet that is also having a knock-on effect on the various Disney+ series that the superhero-focused studio produces. Which is hardly surprising given the deep intersections between Marvel’s movie and TV output (and the fact that the shows are also seeing delays due to writer and actor availability).

    Related Article: ‘Avatar’, ‘Avengers’ and ‘Star Wars’ Movies all Get New Release Dates in Big Disney Schedule Shift

    What’s happening with Marvel’s TV series?

    The Watcher (voiced by Jeffrey Wright) in Marvel Studios' 'What If…?' exclusively on Disney+.
    The Watcher (voiced by Jeffrey Wright) in Marvel Studios’ ‘What If…?’ exclusively on Disney+. ©Marvel Studios 2020. All Rights Reserved.

    Animated series ‘What If…?’, which explores variations on characters and stories, has a second season ready to go, but will now launch in December this year (an exact date has yet to be announced).

    ‘Hawkeye’ spin-off ‘Echo’, based around Alaqua Cox‘s deaf Native American character, is shifting from November to January, while ‘X-Men ‘97’, a revival of the 1990s animated show, will fly from this fall to early next year.

    Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness and Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff in Marvel Studios' 'Wandavision' exclusively on Disney+.
    (L-R): Kathryn Hahn as Agatha Harkness and Elizabeth Olsen as Wanda Maximoff in Marvel Studios’ ‘Wandavision’ exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. ©Marvel Studios 2021. All Rights Reserved.

    Perhaps the biggest move underway is for the series currently known as ‘Agatha: Darkhold Diaries’ (formerly ‘Agatha: House of Harkness’ and then ‘Agatha: Coven of Chaos’), now shifting to next fall, likely (probably a smart move) to arrive around Halloween 2024.

    As for shows that were still in production (or post-production)? The likes of ‘Daredevil: Born Again’ and ‘Wonder Man‘ will have to wait to gear up shooting again, while ‘Ironheart’ (featuring Dominique Thorne’s Riri Williams, first introduced in ‘Black Panther: Wakanda Forever’), is stuck in post-production limbo, and does not currently have a launch slot.

    Is ‘Loki’ Season 2 delayed?

    Tom Hiddleston as Loki in Marvel Studios' 'Loki,' Season 2, exclusively on Disney+.
    Tom Hiddleston as Loki in Marvel Studios’ ‘Loki,’ Season 2, exclusively on Disney+. Photo courtesy of Marvel Studios. © 2023 MARVEL.

    ‘Loki’s second season is still on track to launch on Disney+ on October 6th.

    Marvel is no doubt figuring that the show –– which is still the most successful of the small screen MCU offerings –– will effectively sell itself. And it also doesn’t want to have the fall completely empty.

    ‘Loki’ picks up the story of the title character’s (Tom Hiddleston) journey around the multiverse, figuring out what is wrong with time and encountering variant versions of himself. Owen Wilson and Sophia Di Martino star in the series, with Ke Huy Quan a big guest star in this second season.

    AMC scores waiver

    Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon in AMC's 'The Walking Dead.'
    Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon in AMC’s ‘The Walking Dead.’

    It’s not all bad news for those who produce TV series (and movies). Many independent productions have secured waivers to keep shooting or to promote their projects.

    Perhaps the highest profile of recent examples is AMC, which is behind shows such as the mammoth ‘Walking Dead’ franchise and ‘Mayfair Witches’.

    It might surprise you to learn that AMC Networks, whose AMC Studios produces most of its shows, is not an AMPTP member but is an “authorized” by the alliance, meaning AMC agrees to abide by any contracts between the AMPTP and industry unions such as the WGA or SAG-AFTRA.

    The recent waiver from SAG-AFTRA (the union representing actors, which is currently on strike) means that three shows can continue work.

    Danai Gurira as Michonne, and Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in AMC's 'The Walking Dead.'
    (L t R) Danai Gurira as Michonne, and Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in AMC’s ‘The Walking Dead.’

    ‘Walking Dead’ spin-off ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’ (surely self-explanatory for fans) can resume production while ‘The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live’ (which sees the return of Andrew Lincoln’s Rick Grimes and Danai Gurira’s Michonne to the franchise) finished shooting before the strike but can have the cast head to the studio for post-production work such as additional dialogue recording.

    Anne Rice adaptation ‘Interview With the Vampire’ will return to shooting in Prague after shutting down when the actors’ strike started. No other AMC shows are currently included under the waiver.

    Marvel Studios and Disney+'s 'Echo.'
    Marvel Studios and Disney+’s ‘Echo.’

    List of Marvel Studios Movies:

    Buy MCU Movies On Amazon

     

  • Comic-Con 2022: ‘Walking Dead’s Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira Returning

    Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon, Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes, and Danai Gurira as Michonne in AMC's 'The Walking Dead.'
    (L to R) Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon, and Danai Gurira as Michonne, and Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in AMC’s ‘The Walking Dead.’

    When Andrew Lincoln’s ‘The Walking Dead’ character Rick Grimes was spirited away by mysterious forces in a helicopter early in Season 9 of the show, fans were left wondering when he might show up again.

    And then Michonne, played by Dania Gurira, departed the following season on a quest to find the man she loves.

    We had been told around that time that their story might continue in TV movies (partly to work around Lincoln’s schedule).

    Now, though, both actors made a surprise appearance at the San Diego Comic-Con Hall H panel for the show to announce that their characters will in fact return in a new series.

    Lincoln and Gurira, who have been actively involved in conceiving the creative and the continuation of their characters’ story, will be executive producers, while Scott M. Gimple, Chief Content Officer of ‘Walking Dead’ Universe, is acting as showrunner.

    “What a great surprise for the fans at this final Comic-Con for the series that launched this universe and made television history, says Dan McDermott, president of entertainment and AMC Studios for AMC Networks. “We couldn’t be more excited for a truly epic series finale later this year and to see Andy and Danai return in a new series they helped create, one of three new series coming in 2023 that continue the stories of so many iconic and fan-favorite TWD characters.”

    Danai Gurira as Michonne, and Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in AMC's 'The Walking Dead.'
    (L t R) Danai Gurira as Michonne, and Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in AMC’s ‘The Walking Dead.’

    “Rick and Michonne are two of my favorite people and Danai and Andy are two of my favorite people,” Gimple says. “Working with all of them continues to be a dream come true. The three of us, along with a terrific team of ‘TWD’ all stars and incredible new voices, are crafting an insane love epic worth the long, long wait.”

    “This has been the most extraordinary journey playing Rick Grimes for the best part of a decade. The friendships I’ve made along the way are deep and lasting, so it’s fitting that I finally get to complete the story with Danai and Scott and the rest of the ‘TWD’ family, Lincoln enthuses. “I’m so excited to be returning to the screen as Rick, reuniting with Danai as Michonne, and bringing the fans an epic love story to add to the ‘Walking Dead’ Universe.”

    Gurira adds: “Michonne and this ‘TWD’ family has meant so much to me, and to continue the journey of these beloved characters, alongside Scott and Andy, both creatively and in front of the camera, and bringing ‘Walking Dead’ fans something truly special is just glorious. I can’t wait to pick up the katana again.”

    Here’s the official synopsis: “This series presents an epic love story of two characters changed by a changed world. Kept apart by distance by an unstoppable power. By the ghosts of who they were. Rick and Michonne are thrown into another world, built on a war against the dead… And ultimately, a war against the living. Can they find each other and who they were in a place and situation unlike any they’ve ever known before? Are they enemies? Lovers? Victims? Victors? Without each other, are they even alive – or will they find that they, too, are the Walking Dead?”

    While the main ‘Walking Dead’ show wraps up this year, there are a variety of spin-offs in the works, including those featuring fan-favorite Daryl (Norman Reedus), Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and anthology ‘Tales of the Walking Dead’, which starts on August 14th.

    This new Rick/Michonne series, which has yet to announce its title, will launch next year with six episodes.

    Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in AMC's 'The Walking Dead.'
    Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in AMC’s ‘The Walking Dead.’
  • Rick Grimes ‘The Walking Dead’ Movie Teaser Unveiled at Comic-Con

    Rick Grimes ‘The Walking Dead’ Movie Teaser Unveiled at Comic-Con

    AMC

    We got a brief — very brief — teaser for the first Rick Grimes “The Walking Dead” movie today at San Diego Comic-Con.

    Essentially, it’s the familiar opening theme, a logo and the tag line, “Rick Grimes Returns Only In Theaters.”

    The movie, which will focus on Andrew Lincoln‘s character, doesn’t yet have a release date, or an official name, but it does have a distributor. Universal confirmed it will distribute the film theatrically.

    The Grimes movies are some of the first projects in development from TWD producer Scott Gimple as part of a multi-year plan that which will include additional TWD films, specials, series, and digital content.

    According to Gimple, some of the stories will be connected to “The Walking Dead” as fans know it, while others will be standalone stories.

    In other major TWD news that broke today,  Danai Gurira announced that Season 10 will be her last on the series.

    [Via Deadline]

     

  • AMC Planning 3 ‘Walking Dead’ Movies Featuring Andrew Lincoln’s Rick Grimes

    AMC Planning 3 ‘Walking Dead’ Movies Featuring Andrew Lincoln’s Rick Grimes

    Walking Dead
    AMC

    Rick Grimes is walking on, in three planned spinoff movies on AMC.

    Sunday night’s episode of “The Walking Dead” bid farewell to leading man Andrew Lincoln and his character, the former sheriff who led a group of human survivors from Atlanta to Alexandria.

    But Rick’s story isn’t totally over yet. Lincoln will reprise his role in at least three big-budget, feature-length films that will air on AMC, the first of which will go into production next year.

    [SPOILERS AHEAD]

    Although Rick’s life teetered precariously on the balance, due to a seemingly mortal wound, he actually survived. After blowing up the still-in-construction bridge (and seemingly dying in the explosion himself), Rick was found near death by Jadis/Anne — who decided to save him by taking him along with her on a mysterious helicopter. Where he’s going and who is piloting the helicopter remain to be seen.

    “The story of Rick will go on in films,” said “The Walking Dead” chief content officer Scott M. Gimple in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter.

    “Right now, we’re working on three but there’s flexibility in that. … Over the next several years, we’re going to be doing specials, new series are quite a possibility, high-quality digital content and then some content that defies description at the moment. We’re going to dig into the past and see old characters. We’re going to introduce new characters and new situations.”

    Lincoln departed the show to spend more time with his family, who are based in England. He had always planned to leave after Season 8, but when the opportunity to make the movies came up, it seemed to be the perfect outcome for the actor, the show, and the network.

    “For me to want to do a limited number of episodes a year wouldn’t feel like I was doing my job properly because playing this part has been so all-encompassing. I think I would get frustrated with that,” Lincoln told THR.

    “So the idea of being able to contain the story and still work just as hard and tell a different story in maybe a more expansive narrative way seemed very exciting to me.”

  • ‘The Walking Dead’ Cast’s Tribute Video to Andrew Lincoln Will Have You in Tears

    ‘The Walking Dead’ Cast’s Tribute Video to Andrew Lincoln Will Have You in Tears

    Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus
    AMC

    If you weren’t already choked up that Rick Grimes’s final “The Walking Dead” episode airs this Sunday, this video of cast past and present paying tribute to Andrew Lincoln will put you over the edge.

    Especially since one of the actors singing Lincoln’s praises is Scott Wilson, who recently passed away — but not before he returned for a flashback appearance. “I had the pleasure of working with Mr. Lincoln once more, so that was really a great day for me,” Wilson says in the video.

    Norman Reedus says of his BFF and costar, “He’s very, very dear to me. And he’s taught me to be a better father, a better friend, a better actor.”

    Danai Gurira insists he’s the best leading man on television, and Steven Yeun is so moved, all he can say is, “Andy, I love you.”

    AMC

    Leave it to Michael Cudlitz (the always witty Abraham Ford) to joke, “We appreciate his leadership, but… he’s a really terrible actor.”

    Enjoy the video and the nostalgic set photos and have all the tissues ready for this Sunday. Watch the video (which we sadly can’t embed) here.

  • ‘The Walking Dead’ Teaser For Rick’s Last Episode Reveals Andrew Lincoln’s Farewell

    ‘The Walking Dead’ Teaser For Rick’s Last Episode Reveals Andrew Lincoln’s Farewell

    AMC

    It’s the end of the road for Rick Grimes.

    At the end of last night’s episode of “The Walking Dead,” AMC aired a teaser for next week’s farewell to leading man Andrew Lincoln. As fans have known for months, Lincoln is departing the series after nine seasons.

    But how will Rick go out — in a final blaze of glory taking out a horde of zombies or a quiet and lonely death?

    [SPOILERS AHEAD]

    At the end of the episode, Rick was trying to lead one large group of zombies away from the bridge-building camp. However, he ran into another large group of zombies and his horse got spooked and threw him to the ground. Rick landed on a metal spike, which pierced his abdomen. As he lays there bleeding and about to pass out, the horde of zombies was set to converge upon him.

    Judging by the teaser, it seems like Rick experiences some hallucinations or flashbacks (Jon Bernthal’s Shane makes a cameo) before his possible death.

    Showrunner Angela Kang told The Hollywood Reporter that Rick may or may not die, but his exit will be “really emotional and exciting.”

    She added, “There’s also a lot of adventure, action, heroism and some pretty big twists.”

    “The Walking Dead” airs Sundays at 9 p.m. on AMC.

  • Andrew Lincoln Makes List of World’s Highest-Paid TV Actors for Final ‘Walking Dead’ Season

    Andrew Lincoln Makes List of World’s Highest-Paid TV Actors for Final ‘Walking Dead’ Season

    AMC

    Andrew Lincoln has joined Forbes‘ list of the 10 highest-paid TV actors for the first time.

    That time coincides with 1) his final season — only five episodes — of “The Walking Dead“; and 2) Kevin Spacey being dumped from “House of Cards.”

    As Forbes noted, the only actor on the 2018 list to drop off the previous year’s ranking is Kevin Spacey, who was axed from his lead role of Frank Underwood in the final season of “House of Cards.”

    Frank Underwood, Kevin Spacey, House of Cards gif
    Netflix

    It’s possible that if Spacey hadn’t been called out for so many alleged misdeeds, and filmed his final season, he would’ve taken Lincoln’s spot.

    Apparently Andrew Lincoln (Rick Grimes) made $11 million for his five episodes of “The Walking Dead” Season 9. Forbes suspects Norman Reedus (Daryl Dixon) will replace Andrew Lincoln on this list next year, since Reedus reportedly negotiated a raise to stay on after Lincoln leaves.

    The Walking Dead, Rick and Daryl gif
    AMC

    The ranking charts earnings from June 2017 to June 2018. Forbes said the 10 actors on this list made a combined $181 million, down from $185 million in the same period last year. It really is tough out there for men!

    Most of these actors are familiar from making this list every year for their high-rated comedy series:

    The World’s Highest-Paid Actors 2018

    No. 1. Jim Parsons
    Earnings: $26.5 million
    “The Big Bang Theory”

    No. 2. Johnny Galecki
    $25 million
    “Big Bang Theory”

    No. 3. (tie) Simon Helberg
    $23.5 million
    “Big Bang Theory”

    No. 3. (tie) Kunal Nayyar
    $23.5 million
    “Big Bang Theory”

    No. 5. Mark Harmon
    $19 million
    “NCIS”

    No. 6. Ed O’Neill
    $14 million
    “Modern Family”

    No. 7. Eric Stonestreet
    $13.5 million
    “Modern Family”

    No. 8. Jesse Tyler Ferguson
    $13 million
    “Modern Family”

    No. 9. Ty Burrell
    $12 million
    “Modern Family”

    No. 10. Andrew Lincoln
    $11 million
    “The Walking Dead”

    That list is going to break wide open once “The Big Bang Theory” and “Modern Family” end. TBBT is ending after Season 12, so we’ll see how this ranking shakes up after that.

    CBS

    “The Walking Dead” has long been the most-watched and highest-rated cable show, but it has taken MAJOR hits in the past couple of years. This year, so far, is TWD’s lowest-rated yet in that advertiser-coveted 18-49 demographic.

    AMC has already revealed Andrew Lincoln’s final episode airs in early November. It’s possible the show will slide even further into ratings oblivion without him. Then again, the hardcore fans who watch every week seem to be sticking with it to the end. As long as they stick around, AMC may continue long into the double digit seasons.

    [h/t: ComicBook]

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  • ‘Walking Dead’ Reveals Andrew Lincoln’s Final Episode as Rick Grimes

    ‘Walking Dead’ Reveals Andrew Lincoln’s Final Episode as Rick Grimes

    AMC

    “Walking Dead” fans are still in denial over the upcoming departure of Andrew Lincoln, who has anchored the series as Rick Grimes since the show’s beginning. Now, we know exactly when he’ll say his final goodbye.

    According to ComicBook.com, in  a new promo for episodes 904 and 905 — which will air on Sunday, October 28 and Sunday, November 4 — AMC called the installments “Rick’s final two episodes.” That means that episode 905 will officially mark Lincoln’s “TWD” swan song.

    The episode, called “What Comes After,” features this synopsis:

    “Rick is forced to face the past as he struggles to maintain the safety of the communities and protect the future he and Carl envisioned.”

    The “Walking Dead” creative team has been hyping Lincoln’s final episode since his departure was confirmed, promising that “something special” is in the works for the sheriff. Lincoln himself has said that he helped craft his goodbye storyline, which will no doubt fuel the rest of the series going forward.

    We already know that several former “TWD” castmates will be reprising their roles to help send off Rick/Lincoln, including Jon Berenthal (Shane), Sonequa Martin-Green (Sasha), and the late actor Scott Wilson (Hershel). Better spend the next two weeks preparing yourself for an epic — and no doubt insanely emotional — farewell.

    Lincoln’s final appearance on “The Walking Dead” will air on November 4 on AMC.

    [via: ComicBook.com]

  • ‘The Walking Dead’ Lost Half Its Viewers From This Time Last Year

    ‘The Walking Dead’ Lost Half Its Viewers From This Time Last Year

    The Walking Dead Season 9 premiere
    AMC

    Almost six million people are missing. They were last seen watching “The Walking Dead” Season 8 premiere. They were actually the survivors. The year before that, there were nearly six million MORE people watching “The Walking Dead” Season 7 premiere.

    So, yeah, nearly *12 million people* have vanished since October 2016.

    If TWD keeps losing close to six million people a year it’ll be in a tough spot for Season 10, since there are only six million people left.

    Long story short — “The Walking Dead” Season 9 premiere had the lowest ratings yet. Sure, there was a lot of competition Sunday night, but there always is during the fall.

    Season 9, Episode 1, had 6.08 million viewers and a 2.5 rating in the 18-49 demographic. That’s down 50 percent from the Season 8 premiere, which had 11.44 million viewers and 5.0 rating.

    Last year’s premiere was actually the lowest in years, but the AMC show fell further this year. Yes, it’s still the highest rated cable show, but it’s clear the people who used to watch are either watching later in the week — those numbers will be out soon — watching later in the year, or not watching at all anymore.

    Contrast October 7’s 6 million with the 17 million who watched the Season 7 premiere just two years ago. Even more watched the Season 5 premiere in 2014. Season 6 “dipped” a bit with 14.63 million viewers, but TWD may never see those kinds of numbers again.

    The Walking Dead Season 9 premiere, Lauren Cohan, Andrew Lincoln
    AMC

    Season 9 has already made headlines for marking the final season for Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes. It’s possible that news was leaked early to try and get more viewers to tune in for the whole season. So far, not so good on that front. TWD premieres tend to have the highest numbers of the season. It’s possible this year Andrew Lincoln’s final episode will get more eyeballs, and maybe it will grow across the year from positive word of mouth. Remains to be seen.

    Meanwhile, “Doctor Who” Season 11 was up from the Season 10 premiere — although “up” for them is just 1.37 million viewers for a showing at 1:45 p.m. ET to be simulcast with the premiere in the U.K.

    Are you part of the six million still sticking it out with “The Walking Dead” on Sunday nights, or are you one of the nearly-six million they lost in the past year?

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