The Walking Dead is a beloved franchise, with fans constantly eager to learn new and exciting updates about what’s next, especially in the wake of three separate spin-off shows, Dead City, Daryl Dixon, and The Ones Who Live all recently premiering within the space of seven months.

As a result, there was a lot of buzz about what the cast and crew would announce in their two separate panels for Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol and Dead City Season 2, in Hall H of San Diego Comic-Con 2024. Screen Rant were at SDCC to provide all the latest coverage.

10 Daryl Dixon Season 3 Announced

Slated For Release in 2025

With Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol set to be released in September 2024, there were many updates about what the second season of the spinoff about the titular character would have in store. However, the main takeaway from the panel was that, even though The Book of Carol has not yet premiered, the Daryl Dixon spinoff has already been renewed for a third season, with filming expected to start within a matter of weeks. Season 1 saw Daryl (Norman Reedus) sent to France, with season 2 set to reintroduce Carol (Melissa McBride) as she attempts to find him.

While little is known about the details of season 3, Reedus shared in an interview that it would be set in Spain to “keep it fresh” as both Daryl and Carol try and find their way home to the US (via Variety). Setting season 3 in a new location hints at the show continuing to explore how the rest of the world is coping with the walker apocalypse, providing new and exciting adventures for the characters to embark upon. Set to be released in 2025, season 3 of Daryl Dixon looks like it could bethe most unique project of The Walking Dead yet.

9 Lucille Is Back

Batter Up!

She’s back! One of the most iconic weapons of The Walking Dead franchise (and television in general) will be making a return in Season 2 of Dead City, starring Lauren Cohan as Maggie and Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan. The barbed wire-covered baseball bat, Lucille, has been the end of many a walker (and human), and was instrumental in introducing Negan as his weapon of choice at the end of The Walking Dead Season 6. While Negan burned the original Lucille at the end of Season 10, the SDCC trailer for Dead City Season 2 depicts the character wielding it once more.

It is very interesting to see one of the most emotional scenes of the franchise retconned in this way. However, fans will be looking forward to seeing one of the coolest fictional weapons back in action in the second season of Dead City. Whether Negan will be wielding Lucille 2.0 as a means to continue his redemption arc or fall back into his old villainous ways, there is doubt that the return of the iconic bat means that Season 2 will be full of heart-pumping, walker-fueled action.

8 A Return To Villainy For Negan

Or Will He Continue On His Redemption Path?

Besides Lucille making her return in season 2 of Dead City, the trailer appears to hint at more changes coming Negan’s way. Negan was redeeming himself across multiple seasons of The Walking Dead, yet the ending of Dead City Season 1 saw him having to bend to the will of The Dama, helping her maintain her ruthless grip on power in New York. The trailer for season 2 sees Negan apparently embracing this villainous return to form as he dons his leather jacket and performs the iconic, but no-less-chilling whistle that fans had come to fear in The Walking Dead.

Whatever one’s feelings towards this apparent return to villainy, there is no denying that it makes for an intriguing premise for Dead City Season 2. After all, Negan is only assisting The Dama to protect Maggie’s son, Hershel (Logan Kim), so it can’t be said for sure that he is acting this way out of pure malice. Wherever Negan’s story goes, it is certain to be a captivating, character-focused tale that is sure to convince many fans to tune in when Season 2 of Dead City releases in 2025.

7 First Look At Carol and Daryl’s Reunion

Emotions Will Run High

The dynamic of Carol and Daryl’s relationship was one of the most compelling parts of The Walking Dead, although the two characters haven’t shared the screen for over three years. As the name suggests, the trailer for Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol, finally teases the reunion that fans have been waiting for. Daryl is portrayed as settling into his new home at Mont-Saint Michel, while Carol is still in the US, preparing to find him.

As Daryl and Carol’s paths in the trailer edge closer to one another, the ending truly delivers. Daryl is in the foreground while an out-of-focus Carol walks towards him. Given the closeness of the two characters, their reunion in The Book of Carol looks to be a moment of high emotion, with tears more than likely to be shed by characters and fans alike. Daryl and Carol’s reunion will be the main selling point of the second season, with fans flocking to their screens to see the return of one of the coolest dynamics of the Walking Dead franchise.

6 How Carol Gets To Europe

And What It Means For Future Spinoffs

The Book of Carol trailer also plays a crucial role in revealing just how Carol was able to get across the Atlantic to reunite with Daryl in France. The trailer shows Carol with a new character, Ash (Manish Dayal) as he discusses the two of them flying a plane across the ocean. The plane in question is very small, and powered only by propellers. A frenzied looking rush to get into the aircraft ends with Carol and Ash taking off, killing a walker with the propeller in the process.

The introduction of a plane to The Walking Dead universe not only reveals how Carol is able to see Daryl again, but also has interesting implications for the future of the franchise. The plane in question could be used to explore further parts of the world, especially since season 3 of Daryl Dixon will be set in Spain, and it is likely to be involved in eventually getting Daryl and Carol back to the US. It’s a small yet important detail of the trailer that may prove to be very significant in The Walking Dead‘s future.

5 A Daryl-Rick Reunion Is In The Cards

But It Is Unlikely To Happen Anytime Soon

Ever since Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) left The Walking Dead in season 9, fans have not only been eager to see him back in action (with Lincoln eventually returning as Rick for The Ones Who Live earlier this year), but are desperate to see him reunite with Daryl. In a response to a question about a potential Daryl-Rick reunion during SDCC, Daryl Dixon showrunner David Zabel refused to rule it out, stating:

“I think it’s safe to say … that we hope the characters find some way to reconnect “

Rick and Daryl sharing the screen again would mean the return of arguably the coolest duo in the franchise, and, with the introduction of the plane in Daryl Dixon season 2, who is to say that the two heroes won’t cross paths in the future? Of course, season 3 of Daryl Dixon has been confirmed to be set in Spain, and Rick is still in the US, but as The Walking Dead producers have signaled their intention to bring the two characters back together, it may be a question of when, not if, we will see them back in action.

4 Lauren Cohan On Directing In Dead City

Maggie’s Actress Will Direct Two Episodes Of The Second Season

Lauren Cohan has been one of The Walking Dead franchise’s longest serving actors, portraying Maggie since the second season of the original show. Her role expanded during the first season of Dead City, with both Cohan and co-star Jeffrey Dean Morgan being executive producers. However, Cohan looks set to make her directorial debut in Season 2 of Dead City, directing two episodes, and she spoke about her experiences of being a director during the show’s panel in SDCC Hall H.

“It’s the most humbling experience I’ve ever had in my entire life. It was so incredible.”

As Dead City focuses heavily on Maggie and her relationship with Negan and her son, the decision to put Cohan in the director’s chair is sure to excite fans. Cohan’s deep understanding of Maggie’s character is sure to add an extra layer of depth to her directing, one that has the potential to produce some of the most captivating episodes of The Walking Dead franchise yet. It is also encouraging to see Cohan given this level of senior production power over a franchise that she has been involved in for well over a decade.

3 Carol Has Been Using Daryl’s Crossbow

A Testament To Their Friendship

Daryl’s crossbow has been a staple of the character since his introduction in The Walking Dead Season 1, finding itself alongside Lucille and Rick’s revolver as one of the most iconic weapons of the franchise. However, Daryl Dixon Season 1 saw a change to Daryl’s arsenal, with the character primarily wielding a flail for most of the season. Fear not, though, the crossbow still has a part to play in The Walking Dead franchise, with the trailer for The Book of Carol showing Carol using the iconic weapon.

Whether Carol keeps the crossbow permanently or returns it to Daryl when the two reunite remains to be seen. What is for certain is that Carol wielding the crossbow demonstrates just how much she cares about Daryl, with the weapon likely acting as a symbol of their unbreakable bonds of friendship. The reintroduction of the crossbow also means that fans can surely look forward to Daryl Dixon: The Book of Carol being full of action.

2 War Comes To Dead City Season 2

Action From The Very Start

When asked about the story of Dead City season 2, Gaius Charles (who portrays Perlie Armstrong, a secondary antagonist of the first season) stated that the conflict over The Croat’s (Željko Ivanek) vast methane supplies is going to reach a boiling point. In fact, Charles revealed to audiences in SDCC Hall H that from the very first episode of Dead City‘s new season, The New Babylon Federation will be going to war to get their hands on some of the precious gas. In a move that is likely to have fans tuning in from the very start, Charles stated that:

“It gets pretty intense pretty quick”

The scarcity of resources has previously provided some of the most intriguing storylines in The Walking Dead franchise, particularly the storyline about Negan and the Saviors exploiting Rick’s group for food and supplies. The value of methane in Dead City cannot be overstated, as it provides fuel for heating and electricity, among many other uses. This implies that the upcoming war is likely to be a high-stakes conflict full of non-stop action, taking Dead City‘s storyline in a very bloody and interesting direction.

1 The Croat’s Backstory Will Be Explored

Crafting a Complex Villain

One of Dead City Season 1’s most significant characters was The Croat, the primary antagonist of the show who is responsible for kidnapping Maggie’s son, Hershel, and setting the overall story in motion. When asked about his character’s role in Season 2, Željko Ivanek revealed that fans will learn more about the character’s backstory. In particular, Ivanek stated that The Croat’s sudden shift from ruthless villain to a “people pleasing child” is likely to be explained in detail (via Fansided).

The Walking Dead franchise has a history of revealing a villain’s backstory to make them more complex and endearing to audiences. Whether that’s the death of The Governor’s family or Negan naming Lucille after his wife, whatever The Croat’s background is likely to establish him as a very compelling villain. By adding this level of complexity to The Croat, Dead City Season 2 looks to be one of the most richly character-driven seasons of the entire franchise.