Walking Dead Show Will Never Outpace the Comics, EP Says

CBR

By Megan Tambio

Published Apr 6, 2017

In a new interview, Walking Dead showrunner Scott Gimple says it's highly "unlikely" the series will outpace its source material.

It seems "The Walking Dead" TV series and "The Walking Dead" comic series won't be converging anytime soon.

After last week's Season 7 finale, those familiar with the comics may have noted that AMC's hit show is getting closer and closer to the point int time of the comics, especially given a certain, dramatic time jump that comes after Alexandria and the Saviors' All Out War.

The Hollywood Reporter spoke with showrunner Scott M. Gimple about whether "TWD" would ever go the route of "Game of Thrones" and surpass its source material. "With some plans we have for the future, I don't think so," Gimple said. "I think it's unlikely, but it depends where the book stops."

Gimple said that, while the show maybe closing in on the comic book, it's at the rate of a walker trapped in a well. "I don't know if anyone sat down to do the math, but if the show is gaining on the comic book, it's at a very slow pace."

As "Walking Dead" fans already know, the show has a history of elongating certain arcs from the comics (and even creating their own) while streamlining others. "We're expanding storylines so every now and then we zip through the comic book, and then we slow down for a while and add a bunch of stuff that's not in the comics. There's not any danger of that happening in any way."

"When we get to season 20, then I think we'll be caught up," added executive producer David Alpert. "And at that point, we'll have to have Robert really pick up the pace [with the comics]."

"If we say season 20 too often around Andrew Lincoln, he will murder us, and then you won't have to worry about anything!" Kirkman said, joking as well.

Starring Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes, Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes, Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon, Melissa McBride as Carol Peleteir, Lauren Cohan as Maggie Green, Danai Gurira as Michonne and many, many more, "The Walking Dead” will return for its 8th season in October on AMC.