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Why Melissa McBride really left The Walking Dead's Daryl Dixon spinoff

And two became one.

By Iona Rowan

30 Nov 2022

The Walking Dead minor spoilers follow.

The Walking Dead may have come to an end after 12 years, but the franchise itself remains alive and well thanks to the announcement of not one, not two, but three new spinoffs.

One of which is the upcoming Daryl Dixon series, which is set to follow Norman Reedus' titular character as he crosses the Atlantic for a European excursion in the French capital.

Instead of sunning by the Seine with a glass of red wine and baguette in hand in true Emily in Paris style, though, he'll likely be running into (and away from) the super-fast, super-smart zombies teased at the end of The Walking Dead: World Beyond.

the walking dead season 9 norman reedus as daryl dixon

Jackson Lee DavisAMC

Carol Peletier was originally intended to accompany Daryl on his terror-induced Parisian adventures (it was originally dubbed the Daryl/Carol spinoff), but Melissa McBride withdrew from the project soon after it was announced, much to the dismay of fans. And probably Daryl, too.

Carol was one of the few original cast members to stick around for the whole run of the show, which might not have been the case if McBride hadn't persuaded producers to keep her character alive.

"There was that time where they were gonna kill her. I asked to speak to somebody to tell them what I thought of Carol, because nobody had asked me at that point," McBride revealed back in 2019.

"I'm like, 'Here's who she is to me, just at least let me tell you that much and if you still want to kill her, fine,' but it was important for me to speak for her. I still to this day don't know what saved her. I've heard different stories, but I don't know – but I'm grateful, for whatever reason."

the walking dead season 11 episode 3 melissa mcbride as carol

Josh StringerAMC

Given her long-standing support for Carol (for which we will always be grateful), her heartbreak over TWD's end and her initial excitement about working with Reedus on a new spinoff, it came as a shock to fans that McBride would not continue to be a part of the franchise beyond the flagship's conclusion.

So what gives? Well, AMC's official statement revealed that McBride had to step away from the project because relocating to Europe became "logistically untenable" for her.

The full statement read: "Melissa McBride has given life to one of the most interesting, real, human and popular characters in The Walking Dead Universe. Unfortunately, she is no longer able to participate in the previously announced spin-off focused on the Daryl Dixon and Carol Peletier characters, which will be set and filmed in Europe this summer and premiere next year.

"Relocating to Europe became logistically untenable for Melissa at this time. We know fans will be disappointed by this news, but, The Walking Dead Universe continues to grow and expand in interesting ways and we very much hope to see Carol again in the near future."

norman reedus, daryl dixon, melissa mcbride, carol peletier, the walking dead, season 9, episode 1

Jackson Lee DavisAMC

McBride is yet to comment on the subject herself, but Reedus briefly touched on the spinoff overhaul during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon back in May, where he suggested McBride needs a break after more than a decade in the Walking Dead universe.

"I know it’s going to be much different than the [original] show," he said. "It was originally Carol and I, Melissa McBride and I, but she’s taking time off. Like you know, 12 years is a gruelling schedule and she wanted to take some time off. So she’s doing that and she deserves it."

Did Melissa McBride leave because of Norman Reedus?

Some fans initially blamed Reedus for McBride quitting, leading his TWD co-star Jeffrey Dean Morgan (who plays Neegan) to slam them for going "way too far" with their speculation.

"Attacking Norm for crap he has NOTHING to do with? Melissa made a call that was hers alone," he tweeted. "She wants/needs a break. Respect that. [There are] factors involved that are nobody's business. Norm, who's given more than anyone to you all. Just SHITTY."

It was assumed that the series was set in Europe at Reedus' request because his girlfriend, Diane Kruger, is from Germany. However, as Morgan explained in a separate tweet: "Norman had nothing to do with picking location. That decision is all about story, ideas… MONEY. That's studio/network."

the walking dead, carol, daryl, season 9 episode 1, melissa mcbride, norman reedus

Gene PageAMC

AMC also released a statement to defend Reedus, insisting he had been "unfairly targeted and attacked" by fans over a decision he wasn't involved in.

The statement continued: "Melissa McBride decided she could not participate in the series because relocating to Europe became logistically untenable for her. It is inappropriate to direct negativity and anger at another cast member for a disappointing outcome he had nothing to do with.

"Carol is a beloved and vital character and we are working to find a way for fans to again follow her story, as only Melissa could give life to, in the expanding universe around The Walking Dead. The fans have always been the driving force behind #TWDFamily and always will be."

So there you have it. Despite all the chatter, it appears there's no bad blood between McBride and Reedus. The latter even stressed how he hasn't given up hope that Daryl and Carol will somehow be able to reunite in the future.

"I imagine those characters are going to meet back up at some point, and they might even meet up with some other characters down the road," he teased.

Now that we can get on board with.

The Walking Dead season 11 airs on AMC in the US and STAR on Disney+ in the UK.