In “The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live,” Rick and Michonne are set to finally reunite. A first teaser trailer indicates what awaits us in the spin-off.
Already in Season 9, the “TWD” audience had to say goodbye to Rick Grimes and lead actor Andrew Lincoln. A little later, Michonne actress Danai Gurira also left the zombie series. But fans needn’t be sad because in the spin-off “The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live” – which was temporarily traded under the working titles “The Walking Dead: Summit” and “The Walking Dead: Rick & Michonne” – the two lovers finally reunite. The big “TWD” finale, which you can watch on Disney+, already gave a first taste of the reunion.
“The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live” will be exclusively available on MagentaTV. When the spin-off starts, the trailer reveals it is set to premiere in 2024. However, a specific start date is not yet known, and the German audience might have to wait a little longer than the US audience. Nevertheless, we can expect to see Rick and Michonne’s reunion sometime in 2024 as well.
From “Rick & Michonne” to “The Ones Who Live”: That’s what the title change is all about. The spin-off of the two former main characters was initially announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2022 as “The Walking Dead: Rick & Michonne”, but it was later renamed “The Walking Dead: Summit” during production. After filming was complete, the responsible parties returned to the original name before finally settling on the new series title announced at San Diego Comic-Con 2023: “The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live”.
This title refers both to the closing scene of the parent series and to a key scene between Rick and Michonne that was first mentioned in Season 5 and has been relevant ever since. Back then, Rick told the people of Alexandria at gunpoint that only he and his allies would understand how to survive the apocalypse:
“You still don’t get it. None of you understand. We know what needs to be done and we do it. We are the ones who live. You just sit and plan and hesitate. You act like you have an idea when you don’t.”
For Rick and Michonne in particular, the phrase “We are the ones who live” became a kind of mantra that shaped their actions and fighting spirit over the years.
The spin-off about Rick: From movie to series. The Rick Grimes story was originally intended to continue in three feature films, but as Scott M. Gimple announced at ComicCon 2022, those plans were thrown overboard. Instead, the spin-off series will answer all questions about Rick and Michonne’s whereabouts.
What is “The Walking Dead: Rick & Michonne” about? The TWD spin-off will feature six episodes in total, revolving around an “epic and insane love story” (via Entertainment Weekly). After Rick went missing at the beginning of the ninth “TWD” season, Michonne couldn’t accept the loss and went in search of him. The hardships both characters were subjected to during this time were briefly touched upon in the finale of the parent series.
– Warning: Spoilers for “The Walking Dead” season 11 follow –
After the explosion at the bridge, Rick found himself in the hands of the Civic Republic Military, from whose grip there seemed to be no escape. But Michonne has already collected clues on her journey that prove that Rick is still alive. As “The Walking Dead” reveals in the last episode, she will, therefore, leave no stone unturned to find Rick. That’s what the trailer above suggests. Accordingly, “The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live” will focus on the dangers Rick and Michonne must face to be reunited.
The official series synopsis states (via ComicBook.com):
“Rick Grimes and Michonne’s love story is transformed by a changed world. Separated by distance. By an unstoppable force. In a situation like they have never experienced before, can they find each other and find their way back to who they were?”
Final episode shocks actress
As indicated by actress Lesley-Ann Brandt via Twitter, the finale is expected to provide many surprises. However, the exact details are still top secret.
The Walking Dead: Rick & Michonne Cast: Who’s in?
It should come as no surprise that Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira are part of the spin-off, reprising their roles as Rick and Michonne. Similarly, Pollyanna McIntosh will be returning as Jadis aka Anne. She played a crucial role in ensuring Rick’s survival by convincing the Civic Republic Military (CRM) to rescue him. Scott M. Gimple confirmed her return back in 2018 when the project was still planned as a feature film trilogy, stating, “She’s in this helicopter, so that would be a ‘yes’.”
The actress has already made a debut comeback in the spin-off “World Beyond,” which is available for streaming on Amazon Prime Video. She appears in the role of Officer Warrant Stokes, with short hair and a uniform. Based on still images circulating on Twitter, showing her with long hair and in everyday clothes (via ComicBook), it’s safe to assume that we’ll see her in The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live before her appearance in “World Beyond.”
In addition, another new face is set to join the “TWD” universe: “Lucifer” actress Lesley-Ann Brandt will be part of the cast as Pearl Throne. As for other cast members, it remains to be seen who else will appear in the offshoot.
