The team behind The Walking Dead is developing a comedic spinoff, and it might be the perfect project to save the franchise as it looks ahead to the future. An array of new projects set in the fictional apocalyptic universe have been announced in recent months. These planned titles are coming on the heels of the news that the original Walking Dead series is set to come to an end in 2022 after a supersized season 11. While it makes sense why AMC would want to hang on to a successful franchise like The Walking Dead, experimenting with new genres might be the best bet.
The Walking Dead first debuted on AMC in 2010 before emerging as one of the most popular titles across cable TV. Based on Robert Kirkman's comic book series, the title followed Rick Grimes and a group of survivors trying to find hope in a world ravished by a zombie apocalypse. Aside from battling the undead, or "walkers," Rick and his group were forced to face off with power-hungry villains and other hardened survivors. Based on the show's popularity, AMC greenlit a companion series, Fear the Walking Dead, which premiered a few months before The Walking Dead season 6 in 2015. The second spinoff, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, launched in 2020, giving AMC three franchise TV shows currently on-air.
In addition to the announcement stating The Walking Dead season 11 will be the show's last, AMC shared the news of various spinoffs in development. Franchise showrunners Angela Kang and Scott M. Gimple are developing a Daryl and Carol spinoff, and the latter is also working on Tales of the Walking Dead, an anthology series that will feature new and existing characters. More recently, Gimple appeared on the Walking Dead Holiday Special where he revealed his development of yet another spinoff that will serve as a "more of a comedic take on the world." While the idea of a The Walking Dead comedy spinoff might sound outlandish considering the tone of the established shows, a comedy could breathe new life into the long-running franchise by paying homage to a beloved horror subgenre.
TWD Should Honor The Zombie Comedy Subgenre
When George A. Romero created Night of the Living Dead in the late '60s, a new subgenre of horror was born. As zombie films became more popular over the next few decades, filmmakers experimented with fresh takes on tales that focused on the undead. From there, the zombie comedy subgenre emerged with the success of movies like Return of the Living Dead, Braindead, Shaun of the Dead, Zombieland, and Dead Snow. Since The Walking Dead already puts a ton of effort in paying tribute to the zombie genre of horror, including figures like Romero, it should be made a point to inject some comedy into the dreadful environment.
By presenting the apocalyptic world through a comedic lens, The Walking Dead franchise would acquire a much-needed change of pace. The shows have focused enough on the suffering of survivors as they continuously face harsh conditions, lack of stability, and an abundance of death. The world already needs more laughter, and if a new Walking Dead spinoff could provide some comedy in an otherwise gloomy narrative, it could greatly pay off. Fans have already reacted positively to characters who serve as a comedic source like Negan or Eugene. Developing an entire series with that sort of tone can expand The Walking Dead franchise while also attracting a new segment of viewers.