Actor Melissa McBride inferred that her character on AMC's The Walking Dead, Carol Peletier, will make another appearance in a future spinoff of the popular zombie show.
"I feel like Carol has more story to tell. I'll leave it at that," McBride said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. "I think she's got some more story." This comment comes after AMC announced that McBride would not be appearing in a previously announced spinoff focusing on Peletier and Norman Reedus' Daryl Dixon. "Relocating to Europe became logistically untenable for Melissa at this time," AMC said in the statement. "We know fans will be disappointed by this news, but The Walking Dead Universe continues to grow and expand in interesting ways and we very much hope to see Carol again in the near future."
The untitled spinoff is still set to move forward without McBride, though it was originally intended to focus on her character, Carol Peletier, and Reedus' Daryl Dixon, which the two actors have portrayed on The Walking Dead for all 11 seasons. "It won't be an episode of The Walking Dead with Daryl and Carol," Reedus said in a recent interview with CBR. "It will be completely different so I'm looking forward to it."
The Walking Dead Is Not the End For Carol
Following McBride's unexpected departure from the project, Reedus faced significant backlash from fans, with many blaming him for his co-star's decision to leave the project after reports stated that she left due to "creative differences." The criticism inevitably led to a statement from AMC, which stated that Reedus was "being unfairly targeted and attacked [on] social media for a decision he had no part in."
The statement added, "It is inappropriate to direct negativity and anger at another cast member for a disappointing outcome he had nothing to do with." Reedus' Walking Dead co-star, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, also jumped to his defense and addressed fans "toxic" response to the news. "Nobody more gutted at Melissa’s decision than [Norman]," Morgan said. "Rumors aren't from crew. They’re from some asshat who’s never seen a set before. I was there. It was hard on both of them because they do love each other. Y’all make assumptions that are really hurtful. Stop it."
Over ten years after it debuted in 2010, The Walking Dead will come to an end with its 11th and final season, which aired on Aug. 15, 2021. The season will be divided into three parts, the third of which is set to premiere on AMC on Oct. 2. The Walking Dead executive producer and showrunner Angela Kang has also teased that the final season will see the return of "smart walkers" from Season 1. "It is a throwback to some of the walkers we saw back in the very, very first season of The Walking Dead," she teased.
Part 3 of Season 11 of The Walking Dead premieres Oct. 2 on AMC.
Source: Entertainment Weekly