After five years away from the franchise, The Walking Dead‘s leading man finally returned in The Ones Who Live, and while I don’t believe Rick will be back for a second season, I’m convinced the character’s story isn’t over. The Ones Who Live‘s ending saw Rick manage to finally gain his freedom and head home with Michonne to be with their children. He had been stuck in CRM custody for years, but after Michonne returned to his life, the two were able to take down the dangerous faction and set up a happy future as the Grimes family properly reunited.

In theory, this wholesome scene provided the perfect ending to Rick and Michonne’s journeys, meaning it could potentially be the end for the duo in the zombie universe. However, the protagonist still has plenty to offer the franchise, and given fans waited so long for Rick’s return, I doubt he’ll be gone for good after one limited-time series. There are also plenty of reunions and storylines that he could be involved in, suggesting many of Rick Grimes’ best Walking Dead moments may still be ahead of him, but I don’t believe his next appearance will be in TOWL season 2.

After Rick & Michonne Returned Home, The Ones Who Live Season 2 Would Basically Be The Walking Dead Season 12

A Second Season Of The Ones Who Live Couldn’t Avoid The Franchise’s Other Central Characters

Although plenty of rumors have floated around about a potential second season of The Ones Who Live, it would be hard to avoid the spinoff feeling like The Walking Dead season 12. While characters like Judith, RJ, and Gabriel all made surprise appearances in the show, The Ones Who Live season 2 would have to include even more of the franchise’s central characters. Regardless of whether Rick and Michonne ended up in the Commonwealth or Alexandria after The Ones Who Live‘s finale, they would be among the main survivors in some capacity, who would undoubtedly have a big involvement.

As a result, the series would no longer feel like Rick and Michonne’s individual story, but rather a twelfth season featuring an ensemble cast once again. Although Rick and Daryl’s Walking Dead reunion would potentially have to wait, having the protagonist integrated back into the main group feels unavoidable after how his spinoff ended, which seems like the perfect setup for season 12. The spotlight could still be on Rick and Michonne settling into their new life after spending years away from their friends, but it wouldn’t be able to focus solely on the couple.

Additionally, any conflict that happened would now involve the majority of the survivors, rather than just Rick and Michonne. Even if there were more problems with the CRM or a new threat that focused on the couple specifically, they surely wouldn’t leave their children behind after missing so much of their lives. Ultimately, The Ones Who Live‘s ending did offer a pathway for Rick and Michonne to once again be involved in the overarching story, but it didn’t leave much room for season 2, at least without it feeling massively different from the original premise.

The Ones Who Live Was A Self-Contained Story About Rick & The CRM

Rick & Michonne’s Fight Against The CRM Feels Finished After The Ones Who Live’s First Season

Whereas a second season would have a much wider connection to The Walking Dead‘s overall story, The Ones Who Live season 1 was all about Rick and the CRM. Of course, the CRM has had a national impact on the zombie franchise, but their influence hasn’t really impacted the main survivors, at least not compared to how they changed Rick’s life. Rick was in CRM captivity for a long time, spending the better part of a decade with the group, which is what the series predominantly focused on.

The Ones Who Live was all about how the villains had broken Rick mentally and how Michonne helped him fight back. The couple’s romance was a key part of the show, but Rick getting revenge on the faction that had stripped him of his freedom was equally important. Taking down Beale and liberating the CRM all happened in a relatively self-contained fashion, and while Gabriel’s appearance did draw some connections to the main group, it was only the final scene that truly started delving deeper into The Walking Dead‘s wider story.

Given the nature of The Walking Dead universe, there are always going to be references to other characters and things that happened in the main show, but just like Daryl Dixon and Dead City, The Ones Who Live was very much its own project that didn’t rely on cameos or the franchise’s overall narrative. Instead, Rick fighting the CRM was what gave the spinoff its own identity, and a second season would risk losing it.

Why Rick Grimes Should Still Return To The Walking Dead

The Protagonist Still Has Plenty Of Unfinished Business In The Zombie Universe

While it would be nice to let Rick ride off into the sunset after The Ones Who Live provided him with a happy ending, he has too much unfinished business in the zombie universe for him not to return. Rick and Daryl’s reunion is something fans have been waiting over six years for, and with the protagonist returning home, it feels closer than ever. Finishing Rick’s journey without him crossing paths with his long-term ally would be a waste, and Daryl isn’t the only other character that the protagonist needs to see again.

Despite the hatred Rick might feel for his former enemy, Negan helped save his daughter and managed to turn his life around – just as Carl hoped – indicating that a scene between the two would be full of tension and emotion.

Morgan left Fear the Walking Dead in search of Rick, meaning his story would never be fully resolved without embracing his oldest surviving friend after so many years. Even a Rick and Negan reunion feels like it should happen, as there is so much history between them. Despite the hatred Rick might feel for his former enemy, Negan helped save his daughter and managed to turn his life around – just as Carl hoped – indicating that a scene between the two would be full of tension and emotion.

Even just having him catch up on all the things he has missed feels necessary. Rick discovering Siddiq’s Walking Dead death would be devastating since Carl sacrificed his life for the doctor, but it’s a moment that should still happen. Likewise, Rosita, Jesus, Enid, and Tara all died while he was gone, and Andrew Lincoln could undoubtedly deliver a great performance while learning what happened to them. It would also be nice to see Rick embracing the Commonwealth and the new survivors that have helped his children grow up safely, proving his Walking Dead return is essential.

Rick Grimes Is More Likely To Return In A Walking Dead Crossover

A Show Featuring All The Walking Dead’s Main Characters Is The Best Way To Bring Back Rick

Scott M. Gimple didn’t rule out the possibility of The Ones Who Live season 2, but Rick’s return still feels much more likely in a crossover show. Ever since The Walking Dead season 11’s ending, fans have questioned if it would really be the end of the series, with the spinoffs continuing several characters’ stories. As a result, a crossover show has been mentioned, which could also act as a twelfth season depending on how it was done. With the lore and overarching narrative continuing through spinoffs, the crossover concept has only gained more and more traction over the years.

The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2 and The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon are the franchise’s only confirmed projects for 2025.

Unfortunately, nothing has officially been confirmed, but Gimple and Andrew Lincoln have both addressed the possibilities, which feels like Rick’s most likely place of return. Other than Daryl and Carol, all the main characters are roughly in the same place, given Dead City takes place years in the future, and if all the actors were to clear their schedules, a crossover would allow the protagonist to freely interact with his main allies. Even after all the ups and downs, The Walking Dead still has plenty of life, and a crossover featuring Rick should be the franchise’s perfect next project.