The Walking Dead’s Best Spinoff Is What The Franchise’s Future Should Look Like

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Since 2010, The Walking Dead has been a consistent presence on television. It started with the original series, based on the popular comic books by Robert Kirkman, and has since expanded into several different spin-off shows, each with its own unique characters and storylines. However, after more than 15 years, it seems like The Walking Dead franchise is starting to wind down.

More adventures are on the way with a final season of Daryl Dixon and at least one more season of Dead City. While there’s talk of continuing The Ones Who Live and Tales of the Walking Dead, nothing has been confirmed yet, which means The Walking Dead universe could be ending sooner than fans hope. This is concerning because many storylines and character developments are still unfinished. With only two seasons currently planned, it’s impossible to tie up all loose ends – including the long-awaited reunion of Daryl and Rick and the mystery surrounding Designation 2.

As a big fan of The Walking Dead, I think the future of the franchise is clearest when you look at what’s working with the spinoffs. Each one brings something good to the table – like the amazing scenery in Daryl Dixon or the strong performances in Fear the Walking Dead – but honestly, I think The Ones Who Live, with Rick and Michonne returning, has the potential to be the best of the bunch. It really feels like the strongest direction for the story.

With an 88% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, The Ones Who Live is currently the best-reviewed installment of The Walking Dead. It blends the show’s familiar zombie action with the suspense of a spy thriller, and surprisingly includes both humor and romance. Episode four, directed by Danai Gurira, is a standout – one of the best the franchise has ever produced – focusing on Rick and Michonne working through their problems in a tense and intimate setting.

The Lessons A New Walking Dead Show Must Learn From The Ones Who Live

A major reason The Ones Who Live has done so well is its close connection to the original Walking Dead series. Most spinoffs feel separate – Fear the Walking Dead featured a completely new group of characters, World Beyond aimed for a younger audience, Daryl Dixon takes place in France, and Dead City intentionally distances itself from the main timeline. The Ones Who Live, however, feels like a natural extension of the story we already know.

Unlike other spin-offs, The Ones Who Live feels like a natural continuation of the original Walking Dead series, picking up storylines involving Rick’s fate, the Civic Republic Military, and the relationship between Gabriel and Jadis. Essentially, it functions as a continuation of season 12, wrapping up unresolved plot points and reuniting familiar faces. The enthusiastic response to Rick and Michonne’s story suggests audiences enjoyed seeing the original series’ established path continue, rather than venturing into completely new territory.

One of the biggest strengths of The Ones Who Live is that it successfully captured the feel of The Walking Dead while improving upon the original formula. The Walking Dead often had over 15 episodes per season, which sometimes slowed the story down as characters debated and delayed action. The Ones Who Live, with only six episodes, felt like a streamlined version of The Walking Dead, cutting out unnecessary scenes and resulting in a more engaging experience.

Following the conclusion of The Ones Who Live, it’s evident that The Walking Dead needs a new show that picks up directly where the original series left off and features many of the actors fans loved. However, this show should be more focused and high-quality, and ideally released on a streaming service rather than traditional TV. At this point, additional spinoffs focusing on individual characters or new groups wouldn’t address what fans still want from The Walking Dead franchise.

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2026-04-25 21:28