The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixonspinoff series has gained a devoted following, quickly becoming a standout in the beloved franchise. As production for Season 3 unfolds in Spain, the show has announced the exciting addition of an Emmy-winning comedic actor to its cast.
Stephen Merchant confirmed in anInstagrampost that he is set to join Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride for Season 3, but details about his character have yet to be revealed. “I was excited when they asked me to join the WD universe for Season 3,” he wrote. “But don’t ask me for spoilers - my lips are sealed.”
Merchant is a prominent figure in UK comedy, recognized for co-writing and co-directing the original British version ofThe OfficeandExtrasalongside Ricky Gervais. He has appeared in the hit crime thriller comedy seriesThe Outlaws, notable films such asLoganandJojo Rabbit, and created and starred in the hilarious HBO comedy sitcomHello Ladies. As an EP on the American version ofThe Office, he won an Emmy in 2006. Merchant is not directly involved with theAustralian adaptationof the classic comedy series coming to Amazon Prime Video on October 18.
Fan Favorites Daryl and Carol Reunite in Season 2
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixonis the fifth spin-off and sixth television series inThe Walking Deadfranchise. The second season titledThe Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carolsees fan favoritesCarol and Daryl reunite, but for viewers wishing for a romantic subplot between them in the future, showrunner David Zabel has stated that it’s not in the cards. Speaking toSFX magazine, he explained:
“The obvious thing to do, and the easier thing to do would be, ‘Okay, now they’re falling in love and they’re a couple.’ But I always felt like that would be a mistake, because it would feel like you were going into the TV book of tricks. To me, there was never a question that [their connection] was something other than what it is, and what it seems to want to be, and why it works so well.”
TWD: Daryl Dixon Season 2 Reviews Create a Strange Rotten Tomatoes Conundrum
Season 2 of Daryl Dixon is weaker than Season 1, but it currently holds a higher Rotten Tomatoes score.
Season 2 debuted September 29 on AMC and picks up where season one left off, following Daryl and Carol as they “both confront old demons while she fights to find her friend, and he struggles with his decision to stay in France,” per the series description. According toCBR, Merchant joins the third installment that will introduce five new characters in Spain, portrayed by actors Eduardo Noriega (In the Fire), Oscar Jaenada (Chaos Walking), Alexandra Masangkay (The Platform), Candela Saitta (Maxima) and Hugo Arbues (Through My Window). The official Season 3 synopsis reads:
“It follows Daryl Dixon and Carol Peletier as they continue their journey to somehow return home and to the ones they love. As they struggle to find their way back, the path takes them farther astray, leading them through distant lands with ever-changing and unfamiliar conditions as they witness the various effects of the Walker apocalypse.”
The Book of Carolhighlights McBride’s return as a series regular and showcasesa different side of her character, according to the actress, CBR reports. “Without going into too much detail, we’re doing some things that I wanted to do in the original series,” McBride said. “Deal with things, deal with the repercussions of loss and things like that. Things that just — unspoken things nobody had conversations about, and how everything that they’ve been through really affects them.”
Daryl DixonSeason 2 is now streaming on AMC+ with new episodes dropping weekly on Sunday on AMC. The U.S. and UK adaptations ofThe Officeare available to stream on Peacock.
