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It’s hard to believe it has been 13 years since the AMC premiere of the instant hitThe Walking Dead,and even harder to believe the amount of spinoffs generated from that success. WithFear the Walking Deadconcluding in October, viewers will most definitely be looking to fill that gap with something new.
Thankfully, those familiar withTheWalking Deadhave their eyes on one of the next surefire hits to come down the pipeline:The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, starring returning characters Michonne (Danai Gurira) and Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln). Rumored in 2020 and confirmed by Danai and Andrew at San Diego Comic-Con in 2022, this new story will center around the reunion of the two alums and the continuation of their love story. With the continuing popularity of apocalypse films and television, coupled with the devastation some felt when they believed Rick to be dead,The Ones Who Liveis sure to find a loyal fan base in the already strongThe Walking Deaduniverse.
Editor’s Note: This article was updated on November 22.
The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live
The love story between Rick and Michonne. Changed by a world that is constantly changing, will they find themselves in a war against the living or will they discover that they too are The Walking Dead?
Rejoice!The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Livehasalready wrapped filmingand will premiere onFebruary 25, 2024, on AMC and AMC+, AMC’s online streaming service. If you’re an admirer of the originalThe Walking Deadand can’t wait that long for something new, you can get your spinoff fix early withThe Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.Daryl Dixon, starringNorman Reedus, kicked off in September with six episodes and was already renewed for a second season ahead of its premiere. If you need a refresher on these returning characters, all seasons ofThe Walking Deadare available to stream right now on Netflix.
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At the 2023 San Diego Comic-Con,attendees were treated to a teaserof the long-awaited reunion of Michonne and Rick. In the trailer, we hear Michonne tell the viewer that she “lost someone years ago” and that she then “found out that he’s alive.” With images of the two covered in a deep red hue, the trailer is both haunting and hopeful for the separated lovers. Rick was a fan favorite from Season 1, and his relationship with the seemingly fearless Michonne was some much-needed light in an otherwise dark setting. The message of love’s perseverance was epitomized through Rick and Michonne’s relationship and is what will draw audiences to this new version. Anew teaser forThe Walking Dead: The Ones Who Livepremiered during New York Comic-Con 2023 as well, which you can see below.
The latest promotional video released forThe Walking Dead: The Ones Who Liveis a roughly half-a-minute-longsneak peek featuring Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira. The teaser goes behind the scenes with the stars and also confirms the show’s February premiere date. Watch it right here:
Danai Gurira, who was introduced toThe Walking Deaduniverse in season two, will not only return as hero Michonne, but she will alsoserve as a co-creatorof the new series. Andrew Lincoln will return as sheriff-turned-Zombie-hunter Rick, who has been on the program since the first season, and who was presumed dead by Michonne in season nine after he blew up a bridge to save his family.The Ones Who Livewill also featurePollyanna McIntoshandTheWalking DeadnewcomerLesley-Ann Brandt. McIntosh is no stranger toThe Walking Deaduniverse, appearing consistently throughout Seasons 7-9 of the original, and throughout Season 2 ofThe Walking Dead: World Beyond.In both titles, she played Anne ‘Jadis,’ once an antagonist to our heroes, she has a moment of redemption in helping save Rick. New to the world ofTWDis Lesley-Ann Brandt, who will reportedly play a character named Pearl Thorne. Those who watched the Fox-turned-Netflix showLuciferwill recognize her, as she appeared in all 93 episodes of the popular series.
Scott M. Gimpleis credited as the showrunner of the new series. Gimple is no stranger toThe Walking Deadworld, as he has been with the production since its start in 2011, eventually credited as executive producer and writer on the later episodes. He also has worked on severalWalking Deadspinoffs, includingFear The Walking Dead,The Walking Dead: Dead City,The Walking Dead: Origins,The Walking Dead: World Beyond, and the soon-to-be-releasedThe Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.It’s safe to say that with Gimple’s extensive knowledge of all thingsWalking Dead,The Ones Who Liveshould hit thatfamiliar, revered, zombie apocalypse note.
What Is the History Behind the Title of ‘The Ones Who Live’?
Season 5 ofThe Walking Deadis where the phrase “We’re the ones who live” is first uttered. The memorable words are spoken by Rick in an attempt to rally together those around him to continue fighting their villains, convincing them that “we know what needs to be done, and we do it.” His words strike a nerve not just with those he’s speaking to in the scene, but to audiences as they watched it all happen. Later, in Season 7, Michonne says the words to Rick multiple times, as a way to underscore all that the two have been through together, and as a way to remind both of them that they need to keep going.
The phrase then comes back with full forceinThe Walking Deadseries finaleas a chorus of characters repeats it over and over. In the finale, we hear dozens ofcharacters from all 11 seasons repeat the phrase as snippets of each of them are shown in their time throughout the 12-year run. The phrase is a kind of mantra that gives strength to those fighting against all odds to survive, and as Michonne rides towards a giant herd of zombies and Rick smiles as he surrenders to a helicopter, it can be inferred that they are remembering these words as not just a bond, but as a way to know they will continue to fight. WhileTWDwas filled with characters who provedthe power of sticking together,The Ones Who Liveis sure to keep that message going strong, inspiring its audience to remember the power of perseverance.
