The Walking Dead continues to live on AMC, and the network green-lights a spin-off dedicated to Maggie and Negan.
Both Lauren Cohan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan will return in the spin-off, currently titled Isle of the Dead. In the six-episode series, two characters will travel to post-apocalyptic Manhattan, long cut off from the mainland. The crumbling city is filled with the dead and residents who have turned New York into their own world full of anarchy, danger, beauty and horror. The series is expected to debut on AMC and AMC Plus in 2023.
“This is a very important day for the expanding universe we are building around The Walking Dead,” said Dan McDermott, President of Entertainment and AMC Studios for AMC Networks. “This not only adds another exciting series to this collection, but also expands our narrative around two unforgettable characters that fans have loved, hated or hated and then loved in Maggie and Negan, brilliantly populated by Lauren and Jeffrey. It also allows us to explore a Manhattan island corner of this universe with an iconic skyline that takes on a whole new meaning when viewed through the lens of a zombie apocalypse.”
Eli Giorne is a writer, executive producer, and showrunner on Isle of the Dead under a general contract with AMC. Jorne worked as a writer and co-executive producer on The Walking Dead for several seasons. Cohen and Morgan will also serve as executive producers in addition to the lead roles. Scott M. Gimple will oversee the series as Chief Content Manager for The Walking Dead Universe.
“Eli has created a chaotic, beautiful, messy insane asylum of the dead for Negan, Maggie, and fans of the show to discover the unseen and crazy world of the TWD universe,” Gimple said. “Lauren and Geoffrey have always been fantastic collaborators, and now we’re taking that collaboration to the next level with a series that will push these characters to their limits in the world—and in each other. We are all very excited to welcome you to a brand new, completely different TWD epic for the ages.”
Cohen has been on The Walking Dead as Maggie since Season 2, although she was partially absent from the show for the second half of Season 9 and most of Season 10 due to contract disputes. She then starred in the ABC series Whiskey Cavalier but returned as a regular cast member on The Walking Dead for the show’s eleventh and final season.
“I’m thrilled to be collaborating with Dan McDermott and the AMC team on the next chapter in The Walking Dead universe,” Kohan said. “Maggie is very close to my heart and I am thrilled to continue her journey against the iconic backdrop of New York with my friend and collaborator Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Eli Giorne has created something incredibly special and I can’t wait for the fans to see what we have in store for Maggie and Negan.”
Morgan joined The Walking Dead in the final episode of season 6 as Negan, originally a villain who led a group known as the Saviors. He memorably began his involvement with the series by killing the characters Abraham and Glenn, the latter of whom was Maggie’s husband. He has been a main cast member ever since, becoming a more likeable character over time and a member of the main group of protagonists.
“I’m glad Negan and Maggie’s journey continues,” Morgan said. “It’s been such a ride in Negan’s shoes, I’m thrilled to continue his journey to New York with Lauren. Walking in an urban setting has always been this cool way, but 5th Avenue, the Empire State Building, the Statue of Liberty? The biggest city in the world?? The backdrop is amazing, but the story that Eli Giorne came up with is even better. Buckle up guys, Isle of the Dead is about to reinvent the TWD universe. Huge thanks to Dan McDermott, Scott Gimple and AMC for getting us back again… we just can’t wait.”
Kohan is represented by CAA, John Carrabino Management, Hansen Jacobson and 42West. Morgan is represented by UTA, Goodman Genow and Viewpoint.
Isle of the Dead is now the second direct spin-off of The Walking Dead series to be ordered from AMC. It was previously announced that a spin-off about Daryl and Carol would also be created on the main cable channel. Elsewhere in the TWD universe, Fear the Walking Dead will air the second half of season seven starting in April. There is also an anthology series Tales of the Walking Dead, in which castings have recently begun to be announced.
The eleventh and final season of The Walking Dead will have 24 episodes. The second block of eight episodes is currently being broadcast, with the final eight episodes due to air later in 2022.
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