Walking Dead Universe Expands With New Series And Films

For fans of The Walking Dead, the post-apocalyptic world of walkers, survival, and ever-present danger may have faded from the Sunday night spotlight, but the franchise’s enduring spirit is alive and well in 2026. This year is shaping up to be a landmark for the series and its stars, with a slate of new projects, spinoffs, and long-awaited returns that promise to keep audiences hooked. Whether it’s the latest chapter in the franchise or the next big screen adventure for its alumni, there’s no shortage of excitement on the horizon.

Let’s start with the much-anticipated The Walking Dead: Dead City season 3. According to CarterMatt, production wrapped in Massachusetts before January 19, 2026, signaling that the next batch of episodes is firmly on its way. But don’t expect to see them pop up immediately. As the outlet explains, even though filming has concluded, the show’s heavy use of visual effects means post-production will stretch out for months. “A lot comes down to a couple of key factors: Timing and from there, when exactly the episodes are actually ready to go. Even if filming is done, there are a lot of visual effects required and that is a process that can take months. That is true for almost any show, let alone one that has a lot of action and violence,” CarterMatt reports.

Fans eager for a release date can take solace in the likely window: a spring or summer 2026 debut seems most probable, mirroring the timing of season 2 and giving AMC plenty of runway to build up excitement. Interestingly, Daryl Dixon—another franchise favorite—wrapped filming around the same time, giving the network flexibility in how it rolls out its next slate of zombie drama.

Speculation abounds about whether season 3 will mark the end for Dead City, especially with Daryl Dixon confirmed to conclude after its fourth season. As of January 19, 2026, though, AMC has made no such announcement. The hope among diehard followers is that the network will find a way to tie together the sprawling stories and beloved characters that have defined the franchise for more than a decade.

Of course, the world of The Walking Dead has always been more than just one show. Its sprawling universe has given rise to multiple spinoffs and, perhaps more notably, launched the careers of its stars into new and unexpected territories. This year, fans have plenty of reasons to celebrate as their favorite actors step into fresh roles across film and television.

Andrew Lincoln, the man who brought Rick Grimes to life, is back on screens—but not as the sheriff we know. His latest project, Coldwater, is a six-episode thriller that began airing weekly on Paramount+ starting January 9, 2026, after its initial run on the UK’s ITVX. In Coldwater, Lincoln plays John, a man seeking a new start in a Scottish village after a traumatic incident in London. The show, which also stars Ewen Bremner and Indira Varma, dives into the dark secrets lurking beneath the village’s surface.

How does Coldwater stack up against Lincoln’s zombie-slaying days? According to Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 73% critics score and a 64% audience score—both “Fresh,” but trailing behind The Walking Dead (79% critics, 78% audience) and the acclaimed spinoff The Ones Who Live (88% critics, 76% audience). As Screen Rant notes, “Even though it has not been as well-received as the post-apocalyptic zombie shows featuring Rick, Coldwater has ‘Fresh’ Rotten Tomatoes scores, and with only six episodes, it is much less of a commitment to watch.”

Lincoln’s future in the Walking Dead universe remains uncertain. While there’s speculation he might return, especially with the main spinoffs winding down, no official plans have been confirmed. Still, with the conclusion of Daryl Dixon looming, fans are hopeful for a reunion between Rick and Daryl, or even with Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) in Dead City.

But Lincoln isn’t the only alum making waves. This year, six movies featuring former Walking Dead stars are set for release, offering fans a chance to see their favorites in entirely new worlds. Steven Yeun, who won hearts as Glenn, voices Zuko in The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender, an animated film premiering exclusively on Paramount+ in 2026. Yeun also stars in Animals, a Netflix crime thriller led by Ben Affleck and featuring a star-studded cast, though its release date is still under wraps.

Jon Bernthal, unforgettable as Shane, takes on two blockbuster roles in 2026. He stars as Menelaus in Christopher Nolan’s epic The Odyssey, which hits U.S. theaters on July 17. Not long after, he returns to the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Frank Castle/Punisher in Spider-Man: Brand New Day, opening July 31. The film sees Tom Holland reprising his role as Peter Parker, with Bernthal’s Punisher expected to bring his signature intensity to the MCU.

Danai Gurira, known for her fierce portrayal of Michonne, is also set for a busy year. She stars in Netflix’s stylish heist thriller Here Comes the Flood and leads the Apple TV action-adventure film Matchbox, which centers on childhood friends reuniting to prevent a global disaster. Both films are expected to debut sometime in 2026, adding to the impressive roster of projects from the Walking Dead alumni.

What’s clear is that the legacy of The Walking Dead is far from over. Whether it’s the next chapter in the franchise or seeing its stars thrive in new genres, 2026 offers fans a smorgasbord of entertainment. As the universe continues to expand, and as speculation swirls about possible reunions and final farewells, there’s no shortage of stories left to tell—or to watch unfold.

For those who once marked their calendars for Sunday night walker attacks, the coming months promise a fresh batch of reasons to tune in, debate, and cheer on the characters and actors who made The Walking Dead a cultural phenomenon. The apocalypse may be over, but the adventure certainly isn’t.