The Walking Dead franchise kicked off in 2010 with the original series, which concluded in 2022 after 11 seasons. Since then, the franchise has continued through several spin-off series.

The series is based on the comic book of the same name, and it follows humanity in the aftermath of a zombie breakout, following the human behaviors and struggles to survive. Following the end of the original series, three spin-off series continued the story of the original characters, including The Walking Dead: Dead City, which followed Negan and Maggie. Ahead of Season 2, The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 1 has become a hit on Netflix following its first week, per Tudum.

The Walking Dead: Dead City was just released on Netflix in the U.S. amid the streamer’s deal with AMC. The first season debuted in the eighth spot in its first week, just above Robert De Niro’s Zero Day and Tyler Perry’s Beauty in Black Season 1. Viewership numbers aren’t available for specific territories, but Season 1 didn’t attract enough viewership to enter the global charts.

Eli Jorné created the spin-off series, which marked the first sequel to the original series and the fifth addition to the franchise. It brought back Lauren Cohan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Maggie and Negan, respectively. The series premiered in 2023, and Season 1 consisted of six episodes.

In the new series, Maggie and Negan travel to a post-apocalyptic Manhattan to search for Maggie’s kidnapped son, Hershel. The abandoned city is filled with zombies, as well as denizens who took over New York City.

The spin-off series received positive reviews from the critics, which gave The Walking Dead: Dead City an exciting 80%. However, the audience wasn’t as enthusiastic, as Season 1 holds a spilled-popcorn 58% rating on the Popcornmeter.

The Walking Dead: Dead City Will Return With Season 2

AMC renewed The Walking Dead: Dead City for Season 2 ahead of Season 1’s finale. This time, Season 2 will have Maggie and Negan as opposites again, with the latter seemingly interested in getting control of Manhattan. The official logline for the new season teases Negan and Maggie will “come to see that the way out for both is more complicated and harrowing than they ever imagined.”

Morgan’s Negan will be reunited with his beloved Lucille, the spiky baseball bat, in the upcoming Season 2. The original bat was destroyed in the original series, but he will get to swing Lucille again. “Well, I freaked out. I didn’t realize how much I missed her, not only as Negan, but as myself,” Morgan explained about Lucille’s comeback. “Just getting to hold that damn bat again adds something to that character and the swagger and the confidence and the humor that Negan has. It’s been sorely missed.” However, the Dead City Season 2 trailer teased Negan won’t be the only one to use the baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire, a the trailer shows Maggie holding the weapon.

The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 2 premieres on AMC and AMC+ on May 4.