The Walking Dead heads into its tenth season as a series that, once defined by a sense of order – afforded by its close following of creator Robert Kirkman’s popular comic book series of the same name – now embarks on a zombie apocalypse trek into the unknown, both story-wise and personnel-wise. It’s something with which star Norman Reedus is acutely aware, especially as the series says goodbye to longtime cast member Danai Gurira this season.
Reedus, who’s played Daryl Dixon on the AMC show since its very first season back in 2010, offers his thoughts in an EW interview on what’s in store for Season 10 and the imminent exit of Gurira’s sword-swinging fan-fave Michonne, who debuted back in Season 3. For Reedus, who, in the last few years, has had to watch the exits of cast mainstays such as Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Chandler Riggs and even his close friend and portrayer of the show’s protagonist, Andrew Lincoln, it’s always a bittersweet moment to say goodbye to a longtime colleague. As Reedus explains of Gurira’s last day on the set:
However, don’t expect to find even a tinge of bitterness in Reedus, who clearly understands that an actor’s creative inspiration is often defined by necessary changes. As he further comments:
Regardless, The Walking Dead‘s decaying world will keep on spinning, with Season 10 looking to be a loose adaptation of the comic series storyline called “The Whisperer War,” in which the survivor communities of Alexandria and Hilltop engage in a morbid conflagration with the stealthy, savage skin-mask-wearing group known as the Whisperers, who, led by Alpha (Samantha Morton), made their debut last season, leaving a monumental impression with the killing (and subsequent severed-head-piking) of several beloved characters. Indeed, Reedus describes a dynamic that has become irreparably reshaped (both within and without,) by said incident:
He further explains:
Further Reading: The Walking Dead: 48 Facts You Didn’t Know About Season 9
Reedus also acknowledges the long-formed evolution of Daryl’s character; an arc that started back in Season 1 as a misanthropic critter-hunting yokel loner, eventually becoming an honorably dependable soldier in the group’s perpetual struggle for survival. Indeed, Reedus hints that Daryl – after nearly a decade’s worth of denial – is finally embracing his role as a leader amongst the communities. As he states:
Lastly, regarding the show’s long-teased showmance between Daryl and fellow Season 1 veteran Carol (Melissa McBride), Reedus isn’t confirming anything. However, while Reedus still classifies the duo as “two really good friends,” he doesn’t exactly dismiss the notion, especially since both characters are currently single. He explains:
Regardless, AMC’s The Walking Dead small screen franchise – akin to one of its undead walkers – remains undauntedly ambulatory despite taking hits like crucial cast departures and lower ratings. Besides its continuing spinoff Fear the Walking Dead, the mythology will expand with yet another spinoff series, and will even see former star Andrew Lincoln continue the further exploits of Rick Grimes with an upcoming theatrically-released film.
The Walking Dead Season 10 gets things started this Sunday at 9 p.m. on AMC.
Joseph Baxter is a contributor for Den of Geek and Syfy Wire. You can find his work here. Follow him on Twitter @josbaxter.
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