The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live is a spinoff of The Walking Dead, which focuses on Rick and Michonne Grimes, two characters initially introduced in the main series. The couple’s journey began in season 3 of the series, but it was far from love at first sight. Throughout their stories they became a force to be reckoned with.

Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) departed The Walking Dead during season 9. He was thought to have perished after a bridge explosion, but viewers witnessed what really happened to him. He was rescued by Jadis (Anne) (Pollyanna McIntosh), who used him to gain entrance into the CRM (Civic Republic Military).

Rick’s loss was felt by everyone in the communities, but most especially by Michonne (Danai Gurira), who discovered she carried his child. She cared for his daughter Judith (Cailey Fleming) and his son RJ (Antony Azuor). In season 10, Michonne discovers clues that Rick survived the explosion and, with the encouragement of Judith, leaves to search for him.

This led to the creation of The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live spinoff. The series was created by showrunner Scott M. Gimple, Gurira and Lincoln and premiered on AMC and + AMC+ in Feb. 2023. The six-part series was described as the epic love story of two people parted by an unstoppable force who will stop at nothing to find another.

The Walking Dead: The One Who Live season 2

The Ones Who Live was established as a limited series that would concluded its story in one season. Viewers watched as their stories to reunite unfolded and were rewarded with the sight of Rick and Michonne together at last.

The series was well received as fans had missed both characters in the main series. The creators did a fantastic job of melding the new adventure with the nostalgic feel of TWD. Most fans felt their stories were incomplete and deserved the happy ending they received.

After the conclusion of the series, Gimple talked with Entertainment Weekly regarding a second season, stating:

“It’s definitely going to go somewhere, but it might just be in my brain. It might just be my fan fiction.”
Scott M. Gimple.

He also added that at that time ,”You never know, but right now there’s nothing on the table, except my little fan fictions I write in the evening for myself.”

While that is disappointing news for fans of Rick and Michonne, that doesn’t mean that the characters couldn’t appear somewhere else within TWDU. The TWD TV universe currently consists of the main series, three spinoffs, and three direct spinoffs. Gimple has long teased fans with the idea of more stories to come.

Lincoln added his thoughts about Rick returning for more: Never say never. There are other very important characters in the universe that are still wandering around and alive that I think it might be quite exciting to have them breathe the same air and see how long they survive together. But it’s a difficult one. It would have to be like this, a really exciting story.” Gurira echoed his thoughts.

If you are looking for more stories in TWDU The Walking Dead: Dead City and The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon will premiere new seasons on AMC and AMC+ in 2025.