After over five years and several setbacks, Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne (Danai Gurira) were finally reunited in the spin-off series The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live. After six episodes, the finale finally provides the belated conclusion to their story. But Is the Grimes family returning for another season?
Until recently, it was a big secret whether The Ones Who Live was a completed miniseries or whether the ending left the door open to season 2. Since last Monday, MagentaTV has been showing the appropriately titled “One Last Time” finale – with a surprising conclusion. But hope for a second season is not yet lost.
The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live is not returning for season 2 for now
Warning, spoilers: At the end of The Ones Who Live, the corrupt roots of the Civic Republic Military (CRM) were destroyed. One of the biggest threats in The Walking Dead universe no longer exists and the Grimes couple can return home to their children Judith (Cailey Fleming) and RJ (Antony Azor). Although the series required a second season until shortly before its final episode, the finale surprises with a rounded conclusion to the shared story of “Richonne”.
AMC
The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live
The sad news first: There are currently no plans to continue The Ones Who Live with a second season, as Scott M. Gimple reveals in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. Or as the series creator and franchise boss puts it:
You never know, but there’s nothing on the table at the moment except my little fan fictions that I write to myself in the evenings.
Scott Gimple would like to continue the story of Rick and Michonne. At the end of the day, however, it is up to the home broadcaster AMC whether the spin-off gets a second season or whether a sequel series with a new title is ordered. Scott Gimple even has an idea for a The Walking Dead mega-crossover that could bring together the stories that are currently spread across several series.
Given the success, the chances of an extension are good. The Ones Who Live is a hit with fans and critics. The Moviepilot community also voted the series the best-rated spin-off in the The Walking Dead universe to date, with a current score of 7.9 out of 10.
Andrew Lincoln wants more reunions for Rick Grimes
Lead actor Andrew Lincoln was also asked by Entertainment Weekly about a (further) return. Despite the lack of season 2 plans, he is not averse to appearing on The Walking Dead again, provided someone is interested in it.an exciting story” comes up with for his character.
Above all, the creative collaboration with Scott Gimple and Danai Gurira, with whom Lincoln also produced the latest TWD spin-off, seems to have revived his interest in The Walking Dead universe. His condition for a return: Should the duo again come up with a story of the quality of The Ones Who Live, then “the chances are countless that it can happen again. But I do not know when.“
AMC
What does the future hold for Rick Grimes?
Andrew Lincoln also gives another and (from a fan perspective) very valid reason why Rick Grimes’ return home is not yet completely complete:
There are nor other very important figures in the universe who are still wandering around and alive, and I think it could be pretty exciting to let them breathe the same air and see how long they survive together. In addition to the emotional reunion of the Grimes family, many fans would certainly have been happy about further guest appearances at the end of The Ones Who Live. After all, his “family” is much larger and includes former companions like Aaron, Eugene, Gabriel, Ezekiel and Carol including those who are currently in the Commonwealth and Alexandria.
But we should assume that Lincoln’s statement is primarily about the characters Negan, Maggie and Daryl who are currently leading their own spin-off series. And let’s be honest: Rick Grimes’ story isn’t over until he can hug his “brother” Daryl Dixon again.
As is well known, he is currently in France and is experiencing his own adventure in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. If there really isn’t a season 2 of The Ones Who Live, the end of the Daryl Dixon series would of course be the perfect opportunity for another Rick Grimes appearance.
After The Ones Who Live: This is what continues for The Walking Dead universe
Already in Summer 2024 The second season of the spin-off series Daryl Dixon begins. In six new episodes, fan favorite Carol returns, who travels to France to look for her missing friend. Since there are already plans behind the scenes for a possible third season, we shouldn’t expect a reunion between Rick and Daryl in the new episodes.
After Daryl Dixon Season 2, there’s more The Walking Dead to come. Filming for the second season of the Maggie Negan series Dead City will begin this April and is expected to begin in… Spring 2025 will be shown in the USA on AMC and in Germany on MagentaTV.