This Sunday marks the return of The Walking Dead: Dead City — one of three spin-offs that emerged after the flagship series concluded its 11-season run. Fans are eagerly tuning in for the show’s second season to uncover the next chapter in the story of Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s Negan and Lauren Cohan’s Maggie, both of whom have been integral to the zombie-filled universe since its inception.
Despite enjoying this significant part of his career and the job security it has afforded him, Morgan admits he’s approaching a crossroads. He recently shared with Variety, “This has been part of my life for so long now that I don’t ever picture it ending unless I finally say I’m too old to do this anymore, which I am getting dangerously close to.”
Negan stormed onto the scene in the show’s sixth season, quickly becoming one of the most despised characters in the history of The Walking Dead. The audience's ire peaked when he made the shocking decision to brutally kill fan-favorite Glenn, played by Steven Yeun, with his infamous baseball bat, Lucille. This act not only alienated him from the fandom but also set him against the leading protagonists, with Cohan’s Maggie at the forefront, as Glenn was her beloved husband and the father of their child, Hershel (Logan Kim).
Yet, the entire premise of Dead City revolves around the unlikely duo of Negan and Maggie embarking on a high-stakes mission to rescue Hershel in New York City. Morgan expressed his initial skepticism about this dynamic, saying, “It’s interesting, especially doing this spinoff with two characters who want to kill each other 90% of the time, because I had never heard of this being a workable concept before. Yet, here we are, with season two coming out and talking about doing more. We’ll see.”
In addition to the complex relationship between Negan and Maggie, another beloved element of the franchise is making a comeback in the upcoming second season. Despite being reduced to ashes in Season 10, Lucille the baseball bat will somehow find its way back to Negan in the new episodes. Reflecting on this unique reunion, Morgan stated, “I knew she’d be back a year before we started shooting, and I was excited. I’m not a prop actor. I know some actors [whose props] inform their whole character, and I had never had a prop like that until I met Lucille. I completely understand it now. To have her back in my hands was more important to me, Jeff, than it was even to Negan. Negan is a little bit thrown off having Lucille back in his life. Jeff was fucking thrilled. I loved it. I don’t let the prop guys take her from me. She goes to my trailer with me, she goes to craft services with me. I keep her with me all day long and don’t let people play with her.”
Season 2 of The Walking Dead: Dead City arrives on AMC this Sunday, May 4, 2025. Fans are eager to see how the story will evolve and what new challenges await Negan and Maggie.
In late April, Morgan attended the premiere of the new season in France, accompanied by his wife Hilarie Burton, known for her role as Peyton Sawyer in One Tree Hill, and their two children. He shared with Variety that having his family present made the occasion even more special. “I love my kids and my wife so much. My wife had never been to Cannes; my daughter had never walked a carpet in her life, and, boy, she took to it like a fish to water. Both my kids did. I was convinced after day one that [my son] Gus was going to walk away with a multi-picture deal from Paramount, he was just so cool.”
As the franchise continues to expand, Morgan’s portrayal of Negan remains a focal point, capturing the complexities of a character that has evolved from villain to anti-hero. With the new season set to explore deeper narratives and character relationships, fans are left wondering what lies ahead for their favorite characters in this ever-expanding universe.
With its gripping storylines and character dynamics, The Walking Dead: Dead City promises to deliver yet another thrilling chapter in the saga. As audiences prepare for the season premiere, the anticipation builds for what challenges and revelations await Negan, Maggie, and the rest of the cast.
