The trailers for "Daryl Dixon: The Book of Carol" and "Dead City" premieres at San Diego Comic-Con

July 26, 2024

Courtesy: AMC

The Walking Dead Universe got a much needed jolt when the anticipated trailers for Daryl Dixon: The Book of Carol and The Walking Dead: Dead City premiered at San Diego Comic-Con on July 26, much to the excitement of eager fans packed in infamous Hall H for their respective panels. Fans got an exclusive first look at the trailers with teases from the cast. Daryl Dixon premieres on Sunday, September 29, on AMC and AMC+, with The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2 set to premiere in 2025.

It was also announced that Daryl Dixon has been renewed for a third season, with production set to begin in Madrid. The official synopsis for season three tracks Carol (Melissa McBride) and Daryl (Norman Reedus) as they continue their journey towards home and the ones they love. As they struggle to find their way back, the path takes them farther astray, leading them through distant lands with ever-changing and unfamiliar conditions as they witness the various effects of the Walker apocalypse.

The second season of Daryl Dixon, debuting on September 29, picks up where The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon left off. It follows fan-favorite characters Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) and Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride). They both confront old demons while she fights to find her friend and he struggles with his decision to stay in France, causing tension at the Nest.

In season 1, after making a pit stop in Maine, Daryl washes ashore in France. He encounters a nun Isabelle (Clémence Poésy) and her son Laurent (Louis Puech Scigliuzzi), with whom he develops a close relationship. Daryl embarks on a rescue mission to save Laurent, who is seen as the Messiah to save humanity, and of course, he encounters villains along the way. The first season ends with Daryl conflicted about returning to America as Carol is seen searching for him on his bike.

Fans have eagerly awaited the reunion between Daryl and Carol ever since it was announced that McBride would be co-starring with Reedus. Their friendship has been one of the staples of the original series, "The Walking Dead," almost from the beginning until the show ended with eleven seasons in November 2022.

Courtesy: Michael Buckner/Getty Images

At the panel, Reedus spoke about the relationship between the two characters, stating they have a "cosmic connection" where she knows something is wrong (with him). Promotions for season 2 have continuously teased, "To find home is to find each other," and the trailer emphasizes their connection as Carol enlists the help of someone to help her travel across the ocean to find him. Daryl's voiceover says, "I keep thinking about all the people I left behind, wondering if they're still thinking about me," as Carol is seen behind him.

In April 2022, it was announced that McBride had to drop out due to untenable reasons. Her departure created quite a stir on social media however in October 2023, AMC confirmed that McBride would join The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon in season 2.

The first season of Daryl Dixon was a huge success for AMC and AMC+, with only its companion, The Ones Who Live (starring Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira), claiming bragging rights as the most viewed television show in AMC+'s history.

In addition to Reedus and McBride, Clémence Poésy, Louis Puech Scigliuzzi, Laika Blanc Francard, Charrier, Romain Levi, and Eriq Ebouaney round out the supporting cast. Showrunners David Zabel, Scott M. Gimple, Greg Nicotero, Angela Kang, Brian Bockrath, Daniel Percival, Jason Richman, and Steve Squillante executive produce the series.

Commenting on her return, McBride stated, "It feels good to be back as Carol. I missed her." with Reedus hinting that their reunion "was like fireworks."

Watch the trailer below:

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The Walking Dead: Dead City debuted in June 2023 and is a direct sequel to the original "The Walking Dead" series. It follows fan favorites Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and Maggie (Lauren Cohan) as they travel into a post-apocalyptic Manhattan.

Courtesy: AMC

In season 1, Maggie enlists Negan's help in finding her son, Hershel when he is kidnapped by the Croat (Željko Ivanek) and his people, the Burazi. It's revealed that the Croat is a former Savior, one of Negan's initial recruits when he villainously led The Saviors on "The Walking Dead." Negan agrees to help in exchange for providing Ginny, a young girl, a home at the new Hilltop, known as the Bricks. While trying to rescue Hershel, Maggie confides about the loss of her family, in return, he reveals that he sent Annie (his wife) and his son Joshua to safety in Missouri after killing the men who robbed and attacked her. After rescuing Hershel, Maggie betrays Negan and leads him into a trap, ultimately delivering him to Croat's boss, the Dama (Lisa Emery), who wants Negan to unite her communities. If he does not comply, she will kill Hershel as Maggie realizes Hershel's life is still in danger.

Season 2 promises that as their paths intertwine, Negan and Maggie see that the way out for both is more complicated and harrowing than they ever imagined.

Dead City is executive produced by Eli Jorné, with Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan also executive producing. Rounding out the supporting cast are new actors joining the series with Željko Ivanek and Gaius Charles, Keir Gilchrist, Kim Coates, Dascha Polanco, Jake Weary, and Pooya Mohseni.

Courtesy: Michael Buckner/Getty Images (Eli Jorne and the cast of Dead City)

During the panel, Cohan stated that she realized Maggie had known Negan the longest in her sphere. "It's like the most upside-down marriage. On opposite sides of the coin but still on the coin."

Morgan also noted about playing Negan, "What I find so interesting about Negan is when I originally stepped into that leather jacket, for a couple of years, it was very much the Negan that walked out of the Winnebago. And then a couple of years later, we started seeing some changes, and I think that's the joy for an actor: playing something that is changing and moving. He has to grow. He has no choice. And some of it has to do with waking up."

The trailer for the second season hints at the return of the old Negan and the return of "Lucille," his barbed wire bat he named after the death of his wife. Maggie returns to Manhattan to save him as the two come face to face once again for a final confrontation.

Morgan noted that audiences wanted to see the old Negan return.

Watch the trailer below: