Entertainment
Why The Walking Dead season 11 will have vastly different ending to the comic book series as TV show comes to an end-Sabrina Barr-Entertainment – Metro
The comic book series ended three years ago.
The comic book series ended three years ago (Picture: AMC)
Next month, after over a decade on our screens, The Walking Dead will take its final bow as season 11 draws to a close, with the first episode in the last batch having now been released on Disney Plus.
It’s been an epic journey to reach this point, with characters including Rick (Andrew Lincoln), Michonne (Danai Gurira), Daryl (Norman Reedus), Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Carol (Melissa McBride) suffering loss, heartbreak and tragedy over and over again… but still holding onto a glimmer of hope that they can continue to survive in a world ravaged by undead walkers.
While TWD is due to draw to a close this year (before the various spin-offs are released), the comic book series on which its based actually ended in 2019.
During a conversation with Metro.co.uk, the TV adaptation’s showrunner Angela Kang – who’s been a part of the production since season two – addressed how the ending of the series will branch in different directions to the comic – but will also have some ‘vibes’ that may feel familiar to those familiar with the original source material.
‘Without going too much into detail, because I don’t want to spoil everything, there are going to be elements that feel familiar from the comics, and then there are going to be things that turn a different way,’ she said.
‘A big part of the reason why is we don’t have the same array of characters on the show right now that the book had at the end. So there are certain story paths that we’ve taken.’
Michonne and Rick will be back in their own spin-off after Rick’s disappearance (Picture: AMC)
Angela with TWD stars Norman, Andrew and Jeffrey at the premire of season nine in 2018 (Picture: Paul Butterfield/FilmMagic)
Angela used Andrew’s departure from the show as an example, as Rick was last seen in season nine, despite his storyline continuing in a different way in the comic book.
‘If you think back to when Andy Lincoln was like, I have to get back to my family for a while, because I’ve been away too long, so taking Rick out of the equation, it’s not like you can just suddenly turn somebody else into Rick and do his exact story. His character is particular. So then you can’t really do the Rick story exactly the way it’s laid out in the comic book,’ she stated.
Despite being a fan-favourite character, Daryl never exited in the comics (Picture: AMC)
The TV writer continued: ‘There are other characters that play a huge role in the comic that we don’t have. But then there’s characters such as Daryl who doesn’t exist in the comic who is here, there’s Carol who lived way past her death in the comic.
‘So it just means that the story threads that we’ve got going are different, and so it has to resolve a little bit differently. But at the same time, for people who are fans of the comic, I think that there are vibes from the comic and sort of emotional story that will still feel similar in a good way.’
The Walking Dead universe is far from over, with spin-offs featuring Daryl, Maggie and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and Rick and Michonne in development, much to the excitement of fans.
Historic enemies Negan and Maggie will return in their own spin-off (Picture: SteveSands/NewYorkNewswire/MEGA)
However, these upcoming shows might not tie into the end of the original series in the way that viewers expect.
Looking back on the long period that TWD season 11 was in development, Angela said: ‘What’s interesting is we’ve been developing towards the end of this since 2020, it just took a while to film everything and with the pandemic. So that predated the confirmation of some of these spin-offs.
‘So regardless of anything, it was always about closing the chapter on The Walking Dead and making sure that it felt like we had some sort of an ending that is specific to this show, but we’re just leaving certain doors open.
‘But that’s also true to what the source material does too. It doesn’t just go lights out, everybody’s gone. It’s more of a door that’s open.’
The Walking Dead is available to watch in the UK on Disney Plus.
Got a story?
If you’ve got a celebrity story, video or pictures get in touch with the Metro.co.uk entertainment team by emailing us celebtips@metro.co.uk, calling 020 3615 2145 or by visiting our Submit Stuff page – we’d love to hear from you.
MORE : Final Walking Dead trailer gives glimpse at Rick Grimes and Michonne spin-off series
Entertainment – MetroRead More
