AMC has unveiled a full look at the third TV series iteration ofThe Walking Dead, which is officially titledThe Walking Dead: World Beyond. The franchise began in 2010 as an adaptation of the graphic novel series of the same name, and after a revolving door of showrunners and a couple of creative shifts, the series settled into its technically successful groove withScott M. Gimpleat the helm. Then in 2015, the firstTWDspinoff launched,Fear the Walking Dead. The conceit of this series was that it took place at an earlier point in the “world gets taken over by zombies” timeline thanTWD, but it had its own creative problems and as of its most recent fifth season, has dispatched with almost the entire cast with which it started.
Which brings us toWorld Beyond. This show actually looks pretty neat, and in concept at least is a smart idea. The spinoff is younger-skewing, as it focuses on the generation of kids who were born into the post-zombie world. The world ofThe Walking Deadis the only world they’ve ever known, and they thus have a different point of view on the goings-on of this wild, wild post-apocalyptic wasteland.
The series was created by Gimple andMatt Negrete, the latter of whom serves as showrunner, andJordan Vogt-Roberts(Kong: Skull Island) directed the pilot and set the visual tone of the series, which is in production in Richmond, Virginia as opposed to Atlanta, Georgia whereTWDis shot. That’s the aspect of this trailer I like most—itlooksdifferent than the otherWalking Deadshows. It’s brighter and more hopeful, which no doubt reflects the outlooks of its protagonists.
But there are also antagonists.Julia Ormondfills the series regular role of Elizabeth, “the charismatic leader of a large, sophisticated and formidable force.” The main cast also includesAliyah Royale,Alexa Mansour,Annet Mahendru,Nicolas Cantu,Hal CumpstonandNico Tortorella, withNatalie Gold,Al Calderon,Scott Adsit, andTed Sutherlandappearing in guest or recurring roles in the first season.
Check out the first trailer forThe Walking Dead: World Beyond. The new series debuts on AMC in Spring 2020.
Here’s the official synopsis forThe Walking Dead: World Beyond:
The Walking Dead: World Beyondwill focus on the first generation raised in the zombie apocalypse. Some will become heroes. Some will become villains. In the end, all of them will be changed forever. Grown-up and cemented in their identities, both good and bad.
