Norman Reedus has confirmed that Melissa McBride will return to the Walking Dead franchise as a “series regular” in the second season of spin-off series The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.
Speaking at New York Comic Con 2023 on Thursday, the 54-year-old actor revealed a few details about the second part of the spin-off – and fans couldn’t be more excited.
Joined on stage by Greg Nicotero, Scott M. Gimple and David Zabel, Norman discussed his beloved character’s journey and confirmed that filming is already underway on the highly anticipated season, scheduled to debut in 2024.
Following the news that Melissa’s character, Carol Peletier, will appear in the season 1 finale, which airs on Sunday, October 15, Norman went on to say that viewers will see a lot more of her in the second season entitled “The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol”.
“My good friend… the talented, beautiful Melissa McBride will be a fixture in season two and we couldn’t be more thrilled,” the father of two announced to cheers from the audience.
Norman Reedus has confirmed that Melissa McBride will be a “series star” in the second season of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon
The 54-year-old actor made the announcement at New York Comic Con on Thursday
Melissa has played the role of Carol Peletier since the first season of The Walking Dead, which first aired in 2010
It’s not certain exactly how Carol will fit into Daryl’s current storyline, but fans of The Walking Dead will remember that the duo last said goodbye in Season 11 – which aired in November 2022.
Carol first appeared in the first season of The Walking Dead in 2010 and was portrayed as an introverted, meek and often meek and defenseless character. But over time, she became a fan favorite thanks to her epic zombie-killing skills and badass attitude as she went on an incredible journey throughout the show.
The characters Carol and Daryl both made their first appearance in episode three of season one, titled “Tell It to the Frogs,” but it took a while for their friendship to blossom – and although the duo never had a romantic relationship, theirs is Relationship one of the most memorable from The Walking Dead.
Upon hearing the Carol news, fans rushed to X, formerly known as Twitter, and shared their thoughts, with one person writing: “Back where she belongs.” I’m beyond happy to have Mel back and that it’s finally official.’
Another said: “OMGGGG CAROL AND DARYL POWER, LEGENDARY,” and a third fan wrote: “I’m so happy!!!!!”
During the AMC panel at Comic Con, Norman also opened up about what it was like filming his spin-off in France with an all-new cast, including Clémence Poésy, Louis Puech Scigliuzzi and Romain Levi
‘David [Zabel] and I wanted to do different things. There was the very first episode, I meet Codron, played by Romain, I love this guy… I just love him as a person, he’s so much fun to work with, he’s already a big fan of the series.
“But in that opening episode he finds me and we get into this big epic fight, like this fistfight, and right off the bat I won the fight and David and I were talking about it and I was like, ‘Let me lose this.’ Fight, just let him beat the shit out of me.
Fans last saw Daryl and Carol together in Season 11 of The Walking Dead, which aired in 2022
Norman reprized the role of Daryl for the spin-off series set in France
Norman (right) spoke at NY Comic Con 2023 alongside Scott M. Gimple, David Zabel and Greg Nicotero
The father-of-two told fans that he would continue to play the role of Daryl “just like you guys will have me.”
“And Romain says, ‘Are you sure?’ And I say, ‘Yeah, beat me up! We skip that punch, cut out that punch, and just throw me around,” and that makes him a scarier person who comes after me when I can, ‘I didn’t hit him, you know?’
Norman continued, “I don’t mind Daryl being the hero… I just don’t want him to know he’s the hero!” But even with the other actors in this movie, they’re all so good, all of them They also have their moments to shine, everyone has their great moments.”
Explaining why he loves playing the role of Daryl, Norman said: “I’ve been in a lot of films, but the thing about television is that every Sunday you sit in people’s living rooms, they really get to know you, they think , they know.” You.
“And I kind of like aging in front of people, it’s like this crazy social experiment.” I try to take as a character all the things that I’ve learned from the other characters… Daryl has started like that, and he gets smarter and wiser, sometimes he doesn’t take the first step anymore.
I’m really having a great time and people say, “When are you going to cut your hair and play a lawyer?” And I’m like, “I dunno, who cares?” I like playing that, so as long as you’ve got me, I will probably do it!’ he added.
Norman confirmed that he is “very grateful” to the AMC network for signing a tentative agreement with the Screen Actors Guild that will allow him to film the spin-off’s second season and attend an event such as Comic Con to talk about the show.
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 1 finale airs Sunday, October 15 at 9pm ET on AMC and AMC+.