The Walking Dead season nine completely changed the game with Andrew Lincoln’s exit. But life goes on. There was a six year time jump when the communities pretty much fell apart. The Kingdom fell. The Hilltop lost three leaders. Maggie (Lauren Cohan) left and Jesus (Tom Payne) and Tara (Alanna Masterson) were killed by the Whisperers. It took the logic of a child for everyone to see they needed each other, but it was a little too late.
The Whisperers arrived and made it perfectly clear that they are not to be messed with. After killing ten members of the communities, the leaders decided to steer clear of the Whisperers and abide by their rules. If season ten is anything like nine, we’re not going to be okay.
The Panel: Norman Reedus, Danai Gurira, Melissa McBride, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Avi Nash, Cooper Andrews, Ryan Hurst, Cailey Fleming, Nadia Hilker, Eleanor Matsuura, Scott Gimple, Angela Kang, Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, Dave Alpert, and Greg Nicotero.
Kang and the producers come to the stage first. Kang says the new season finds new ways to tell stories during the upcoming Whisperer war. Kirkman addresses the ending of the comic, saying it was very special to him. This was always Rick and Carl’s story. The show is about the world and not just Rick, so the show isn’t ending any time soon.
Thora Birch is joining the cast as Whisperer Gamma; Kevin Carrol from The Leftovers joins as Virgil,
Nicotero is directing multiple episodes this season and says people won’t know what show they’re watching. It was announced that Andrew Lincoln is not returning to direct this season.
They show the season ten trailer and it’s mind blowing. The cast enters the stage immediately after.
It's Cailey Fleming's FIRST #SDCC panel! #TWD pic.twitter.com/4bJ3SzggP2
— The Walking Dead (@WalkingDead_AMC) July 19, 2019
Reedus begins saying that people are basically just losing it. Daryl is trying to pick up the pieces, but basically you have to rely on the people around you.
McBride wants a showdown with Alpha. She says Carol is leading her own fight for vengeance.
Gurira says Michonne has found healing in her daughter, Judith (Fleming). While still very protective, Michonne is learning how to lean in and rely on people.
Fleming gets a big welcome from the crowd. She says her gymnastics training helped with her sword training. She loves Gurira and how fierce she is when she has to be.
"Every time I train, I have to make it look like how Michonne (@DanaiGurira) taught me." – Cailey Fleming #TWD #SDCC pic.twitter.com/fqYrG9U4OG
— The Walking Dead (@WalkingDead_AMC) July 19, 2019
Morgan appreciates the hashtag #ReleaseTheNegan. he says his redemption arc is real and genuine with Judith. But he will always be Negan. He adds that Negan would never hurt Judith.
Nash gets a chance to speak. Siddiq is the only survivor of the Whisperers assassination. Nash says Siddiq is a bit of a broken man.
Samanatha Morton who plays Alpha sent a video message, dressed as Alpha!
.@samthesparrow couldn't be at #SDCC in person, but she sent a special message to the #TWDFamily in Hall H: HAVE FUN! #TWD pic.twitter.com/6XS6w25AtP
— The Walking Dead (@WalkingDead_AMC) July 19, 2019
Hurst was up next and says the bad guy is always the most fun. He jokes that they is a a spinoff cooking show coming, “Baking with Beta.” Seriously though, fans should expect more of Alpha and Beta’s story in season ten.
Matsuura and Hilker are settling in nicely at the Hilltop. Hilker admits they got Gurira’s name wrong for the whole season, calling her Danaya.
Andrews says the Hilltop is now the KingTop. He says its been hard for Jerry, but now he has to take care of Ezekeil (Khary Petyon). The outlook is good though. “He’s doing his best to keep the feeling of the Kingdom going.”
Q&A starts with asking Reedus if Daryl will ever forgive Negan. Reedus and Morgan enjoy working with each other. Reedus says Daryl may need Negan as some point.
The trailer featured a scene between Daryl and Carol where he calls her his best friend. McBride says that was the best scene to film. She says there’s such sensitivity to having and being a best friend. Carol doesn’t want to lose that after losing so much more.
Gurira got emotional when she announced this is her last season. She thanked the fans for their support, saying it’s a connection that never ends. Her heart stays with the TWD Family but this was a calling filled with pain and gratitude about leaving. The crowd gave her a standing ovation.
"I can confirm this will be my final season as Michonne on the show." – @DanaiGurira #TWD #SDCC pic.twitter.com/gTm6qhojEg
— The Walking Dead (@WalkingDead_AMC) July 19, 2019
Kang added that Gurira’s importance to the show cannot be overstated. She is proud to see her bloom and spread her wings outside of the show. They will use the same approach as they did with Lincoln. Kang says Gurira always brings her A ++ game.
That is all from Hall H for The Walking Dead. Check out Geek Girl Authority coverage of all The Walking Dead updates and news from SDCC.
The Walking Dead season ten premieres on Sunday, October 6 on AMC.
RELATED: Read all Geek Girl Authority’s San Diego Comic-Con coverage here!
RELATED: Recap THE WALKING DEAD Season Nine
News Editor, Senior Contributor, and Press Editor. Coordinate breaking news, trailers and press releases. I also contribute reviews, recaps and interviews. Creator of the Indigenerd Wire, a column dedicated to the Indigenous creatives in pop culture.
GGA's resident Indigenerd, a little bit rez, a little bit classy...with a love for all things Star Wars, zombies, science fiction, and Indigenous. My ultimate goal is to start my own podcast.
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