The Walking Dead: Why AMC Cancelled The Walking Dead and Ending it with Season 11
The Walking Dead has been a television powerhouse for nearly a decade. Last week, AMC announced that the show would be ending after eleven seasons. In its statement, AMC laid out all of the positives for establishing the show’s endpoint and highlighting that the world of The Walking Dead would continue on through new shows and other forms of media.
However, there are some more glaring reasons for the show’s departure that weren’t listed in the statement and it’s important that they are recognized. These reasons are the sharp reality of a long-lasting television show and aren’t unique to just The Walking Dead but come into play with any show that has lasted as long as The Walking Dead.
Source Material
The Walking Dead comic book surprisingly ended last summer. Its creator, Robert Kirkman, shocked readers and comic book retailers when he ended the series without any notice. In fact, Kirkman had lead everyone to believe that the comic was going on, as he had released additional upcoming comic book covers. However, the comic book ended without notice and the world of The Walking Dead in comics ended.
The comics final story arc focused on the community of The Commonwealth. This community is on the horizon for the television show and may, at best, supply one to two seasons of material. With the source material gone, it only feels appropriate that the show should follow its course and end with what’s available.
Setting an endpoint for the show can be a positive for both the show and viewers. With the writers knowing that they have exactly thirty episodes to finish the show, they can focus on quality over quantity. For viewers, knowing that the show is ending, may spark interest in the show again for those who may have previously departed.
Either way, the show should try to mirror the storied conclusion of the comic books as best as possible. The only way to truly do this is to bring back Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln). The show and comics start with him and end with him. Robert Kirkman has said the comics are the story of Rick Grimes. The television show should be too.
Money
The reality of a long-lasting television series is that the longer the show is on, the more expensive it becomes to create each episode. The salaries of actors and key crew increase with time. The Walking Dead has one of the largest cast ensembles on television. As well, the show also has one of the largest production budgets with its sets, effects, and sizeable crew. Let’s not forget that licensing fees also tend to increase with time.
There are several cast members who are rumored to have large salaries, including Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. The longer the show goes on, the more they will make.
What is hurting The Walking Dead is that advertising and merchandise revenue is declining as the show is getting older. The show once brought in record amounts of advertising revenue when it was seeing more than 15 million viewers per episode. In its earlier seasons, this was balanced against lower salaries and a manageable budget. Further, viewers were consuming merchandise from the show at a record pace.
With the show now seeing under five million viewers per episode, the revenue has decreased significantly through both advertising and merchandise.
Ending the show, and starting new ones, resets budgets and allows them to balanced against the current realities of the new show – not the past one.
Departing Actors
One of the greatest difficulties that The Walking Dead has encountered with time is the loss of key characters. There has been none greater than the departure of Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) from the show. After nearly ten years, Lincoln left to spend more quality time with his young family. However, Rick Grimes is The Walking Dead and the show has always revolved around his character.
Another significant blow is the loss of Danai Gurira, who played Michonne. Gurira’s talents far exceed The Walking Dead, as she’s an accomplished playwright and now an Avenger with Marvel. Gurira had outgrown the show.
Additionally, the show has seen the departures of Lauren Cohan, Tom Payne, and will soon see Christian Serratos leave for her new Netflix show, Selina.
Again, this isn’t an unusual occurrence for a show this age but the characters who did depart have also been its biggest. Couple this with the fact that The Walking Dead has never been afraid to kill off some of its biggest characters, many fans haven’t stuck around because they don’t feel invested in the current characters on the show.
Wrapping it Up
The Walking Dead is a fantastic show and one that will be discussed forever. As well, it will continue on through new shows and other forms of media, including the upcoming films. All of the reasons above come into play when deciding if it’s time for a show to end. And it’s time. The Walking Dead will now be able to go out on a strong note, ending with quality shows and mirroring the material that Robert Kirkman has given his readers and viewers.
The spinoffs will allow us to hold onto the characters we love in Daryl and Carol, while letting us take a look back at characters we miss on Tales of The Walking Dead. This decision was the right one and will strengthen The Walking Dead Universe for a very long time.
The Walking Dead returns on February 28, 2021 with 6 new episodes.
Let us know your thoughts on the end of The Walking Dead in the comments below!
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Even though I miss all the people we’ve lost throughout the show I can’t stop watching to see what’s going to happen next… I have loved it since the first episode and will definitely miss it when it’s gone!!!
Gimple ruined TWD for me when he killed Carl.
I don’t want the walking dead to end.. it is the best of best.. I will really be lost when I go to sit down and their will not be the walking dead on AMC… nothing can take its place… thankyou Phyllis
I’m so sad…I have not missed an episode even the reruns, I watch over n over. This is my favorite show of all time!
I love the walking dead. I’m very sad its goin 2 end.but I’m hoping the new 1 is as good as this 1 is.yes I’m sad bout some of the good people died off.but I still watched it 2 the end.im not 4 it 2 end.but I’m glad I am still watching it till the very end season 11.
Will Rick be back to end the walking dead? I couldn’t think of anything better than Rick coming back to bring the others to somewhere that is getting more back to life and it ends with Rick living up to Carlos hope for life to were they all pull together to survive not fight.
It seems nothing lasts forever anymore, so disappointing. Every show that I got hooked on that I really, really love is taken away. The characters take my breath away in their work they have shown, and it makes me so sad! Love ❤️ always to each one of the teams and hope to see you in other shows!
Selina!? Really?
I that the show is end I have be watching the show sent the being love you all going to miss it
I going to miss the show love the show love you all
Should have invested in original TWD the fans would return. Also where is the imagination with carrying on. Just because your comic ended ENDING TWD is NOT ok
USE SOME TALENT and take your
imagination beyond Ending like comics, The fans are here you just need to listen to them they made you everything you are..
A fan from the beginning but disheartened by lack of imagination…ironic…☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠☠
Wow Really ending????? Shoot I will miss watching I will also keep up with other walking dead shows
Maybe if the show would have given us, the viewer a normal viewing schedule, you would have kept your viewership. To wait so long, to only get 6 or so episodes, and then BAM! Done till another 6 months. I honestly got tired of waiting for it to show up again! No wonder you lost your audience.
News Flash! It wasn’t losing characters, it was lack of good episodes, often enough! You lost a lot of us, because if you weren’t on top of every single episode, you were LOST.. CONSTANT jumping back and forth. To different places and times. I really loved this show. It was the only program I tried not to miss. Please post more information on the movie about where Rick disappeared to. Sorry to say, Goodbye.. TWD..
Hopefully you will show all the seasons in order once the series ends. I’m heartbroken…..
That sucks they should not take it off it is one of best shows around I’m a true walking dead fan and always will be so don’t take it off. Please
I have been a fan since day one and have never missed a show. My favorites have always been Daryl and Carol, secretly hoping they would get together as a couple. So glad they stayed away from politics I hate that!
Thank you for years of viewing hate to see it end but understood.
Sincerely a true Walking Dead fan!
Why is the walking dead is ending is bc its not enough people that can be a walkers or cast member or something else like this virus that is going on I’m just wondering if this virus go away I hope will u guys keep doing the walking dead
Sorry the show is ending. Loved the actors.
I will truly miss this show and each of the characters They have all been a part of my family for so long But life goes on. Looking forward to what is next for each Wishing everyone of y’all the best.
No! I love the walking dead I have never missed a show . I come in on season 3. But got caught up in 2 days after going out and buying the 1st two seasons. I full in love with the show and most of the cast. Really hated negan at the beginning but didn’t like Jeffrey in any of his work until Rick put him behind bars. Then he grew on me with negan 2 of my favorite times was him talking with the kid about airplanes then right into nut tapping. The other was when he ran into the snow storm after Judith.
Always love Daryl. Norman plays the part great. Care so much for a lot of people after s life of being beat up from his dad and brother. As for Carol she came out of her shell to be one bad ass mom. Cried like a baby when you kill Shiva off but I couldn’t stop crying when you killed Herschel he was my 2nd favorite made me the that he’s would be a great loving grandfather on the show and in real life. Never had one . Darly is my all time favorite maybe because my stepdad beat me my sister and brother hit me around. I come out of it okay I don’t talk to any of them. I stand up against bullys.
In life like in everything else, there has to be and end,nothing is forever, the show was a great one, i have never seen anything like this, and it will be watch for many, many more years and people will enjoy it.thanks to ALL the crew ,wishing you all the best.
Amc THE WALKING DEAD. Is the best show iv ever seen in my life.robert kirkman u did a great job and the actors justified it.we can see lots of hard work in it.it was like family to me.and ending of my family I would have never imagined it.(heart broken). I was addicted to twd… I wish lots of love & luck to my twd family. Stay blessed.
I’m not happy with this decision I never watch television until the walking dead and I’ve been a fan since day one
I am heart broken. This is by far my favorite show. This show is my family. I cry when they cry, I mourn when they die. I would have loved to be on the series, even as an extra walker. I was so close when the show came to my area, but I found out a little too late. Just like Rick, I was there in the beginning, and I will be there till the end… Blessings to all
Great show, will watch to the very end!! Wish they would of focus on more merchandise in Todd Mcfarlanes action figures line and different posters with other characters , like Shane Andrea Morgan’s teacher , just hate it’s ending but all good things come to an end..
I just love the walking dead, I’ve watched every episode since it’s been on! I’m in my mid 60’s and loved everything about it! I absolutley hate them ending this. I really looked forward to seeing this show! Very very disapointed this is ending!!!!!!!
You want to really surprise TWD fans? Then end the series on a solid
note of hope! Real life has been such a bummer for so many of us
that we would appreciate something that resembles a happy ending.
Let’s see the good humans win one!
OMG, what will I do without my favorite show???
Would love to see Carl come help Judith before the end
You killed off 2 of the main characters, Carl and Rick. The show went down hill. But dot cancel the show, bring them back. It’s a shame to cancel a relly good show..
I have watched the show from day one and now that it is ending I don’t know why I will watch on Sunday nites whn it ends I was so heart broke to find out that it was ending that I said oh no it can’t end and I hope that the don’t kill off the ones I like now . Now that Rick is gone that broke my heart and I cried like a baby .
Sorry I see such a awesome show go,but all things must come o an end,this show will always be awesome in one way or another,Bless the whole show and all who worked on i to make it as greater show as all it’s cash mimbers❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
I will miss the Walking Dead . I looked forward to it every Sunday evening will be kids and grandkids. We all watched it from out homes and then would have a discussion about it during the week. What are thoughts are on that episode. I was sorry to see Rick Grimes go. Although all the actors played wonderful parts, the show was Rick Grimes. Thank you for all the joyous Sunday evenings.
Not all of the shows viewers read the comics. I didn’t even know about the comic book until after the show aired. My all-time favorite character on the show has been Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). I’m still very much enjoying the series and will be greatly disappointed when it ends.
I also need to add that Daryl (Norman Reedus) is also a favorite character of mine.
I love the walking dead movie. I would look forward every Sunday to watch it. Please stay making the movie
Do not lose Neegan .we also need him to stay and learn his story
If the walking dead is ending, then I hope the new show takes the main characters from Twd and incorporates the walking dead into the new show say like fear the walking dead! I can’t lose this show it’s the only thing I look forward to watching
Although I will miss this show tremendously I miss past characters even more. I know it wouldn’t last forever but the disappearance of favorite characters one by one lessens the excitement for the next episode. I think the pandemic helped things along. Since we went so long without new episodes I got used to not seeing it and watching my favorites on Netflix and taped episodes from reruns. R.I.P Walking Dead. I will devour all spin offs.
I dont want a new show. I love the walking dead and have never missed a show. Please don’t kill it.
I hated when Carl was killed off I still cry I loved his character
They shouldn’t have killed Glen. It declined for some of us after that day,
why do you guys have to quit i enjoyed this show watched it from season 1 to 10 was good all of a sudden it has to quit best zombie movie ever made
Not happy that the walking dead will be ending soon. I have watched every episode from day one, more than once. I did not like last nights new spin off show.
I say if the actor wants to leave, fine. replace them, with another one
My son got me Involved in this show when it first aired , I’m addictive to it. It’s the only this I look forward to sitting down and watching. Believe me I don’t get to just sit and enjoy anything and now y’all want to end it make Me very sad . Please reconsider your action so I can continue to have a little me time. I love y’all. Anyway
So sad TWD will finally end. I am not too keen
about FOTWD. I am not sure about TWD Beyond, as it just started.
There were many mistakes made in season 7 to the departure of Andrew Lincoln. I lost interest once the main characters who were killed after Sanctuary.
I’m new too the walking dead, the truth is my sister has always told me I gotta watch it for years she tried but I finally had the time during the quarantine. I’m absolutely in love!! AMAZING CAST I’ll be watching the spin offs too! I miss a lot of characters us viewers get attached. Dont you dare touch Daryl Keep kicking ass guys!
I will miss the walking dead, it is part of my life,
It a good show why would u end it
will they film Carol and Dsryl in Georgia or move to Califirnia?
I’m not ready for TWD to end but I do understand. We have lost a lot of special people and we miss them all. But all good things must come to an end whether we’re ready or not. I will be watching the new shows I just hope I won’t be disappointed. Good luck to everyone we love you all and will miss you. God Bless and Thank You for all the pleasure of watching all of you.
I hate the fact that the show is going off ,have had so many sincere viewers weekly and the for it to just up and end really says a lot about how the viewers are appreciated .
I love this show this was our family show night every Sunday!!! My family new that everything had to be done by 7pm everything eating baths and know one was a loud to talk. The hole cast will be missed!! Best wishes to them all on there next chapters in there careers. But is still sad that after season 11 my Sundays will be lost with out them!! Thank you all for a awesome show!!!THE WALKING DEAD LIVES FOREVER!!!!!!
Not at all interested in any more spinoffs. I love TWD but FEAR is so bad, with zero likeable characters… Hate to see my favorite show go, but me and my friends WILL NOT be watching any spinoffs.
I do hate that it’s ending . But I do like the idea of new series
I am missing the walking dead my favourite programme ever going to be gutted when It finally finishes
What Has Happened to the Rick Grimes Movies ???
What happened to “The Rick Grimes movies” they were supposed to be at the Movies…???
I’m sad the show is ending but at the same time it really never ends for me I can truly say I live this series so much & it’s content is truly amazing everything & everyone on the show is percent FABULOUS! & like i said it never ends for me because I start the series from start to finish over & over every day for the past 10 yrs until the new season stars but I will keep on watching The Walking Dead from start to finish until I can’t anymore & I can also say that I always find something new even in the beginning of the series that I didn’t notice before it’s like a big brain puzzle
Live you all at The Walking Dead Universe !!!!
Your faithful fan always
Myra Piepszka
The show died with Carl. Greed was the reason the character was killed. The actor would’ve commanded an adult contract and made some real money. Carl and Rick were the show. After Glen was killed i was close to done with it. Carl was the final straw.
I don’t know what we will do when the show is gone! We have been due-hard true fans from day one!
I absolutely love TWD I use to have a great fear of Zombies cuz my Mom scared me when i was 5 years old watching “Night of The Living Dead”. I was completely terrified of Zombies till I was 48 and was into the second season of TWD. They taught me how not to be scared and how to fight back!!!_
This show has been my main event every Sunday…..feeling lost on Sundays now….trying to get into Fear as I have since its beginning….and its getting better with Morgan coming back to reality…lol…hated all that every life matters crap. Dwight’s reunion with his wife was the best highlight in awhile…..I hate that bitch that runs that new town….but we always had someone to hate…..other than him killing Glen…..Negan has always been hard for me to hate. I will miss The walking Dead something awful…..yhst kids show….Beyond…I just haven’t been able to get into…….I hope the Daryl & Carol spin off can keep my interest…..if I have to go to a theater to see Rick Grimes return….not happening….so we’ll just see where it all goes……might be watching allot of football on Sundays now as I have of lately. After the Walking Dead ends…..will just have to try to get into some of these other strange shows that are out….but have to play catch up. NOTHING will ever replace the walking Dead……I’ve never been into a show like this one…and I’m 61….no youngin here……has been quite the run…..so thanks for the memories…..will miss the show terribly…..❤
It’s SELENA**** Please don’t misspell the name of an iconic Mexican American Tejana singer
At least Google to make sure you’re spelling a name correctly? ♀️
So sad the show is ending..I look forward to watching every Sunday that it’s on and love the characters..use some imagination and keep it going..
All this moaning about characters being killed off makes me laugh it’s a zombie outbreak people are going to get killed off, I’m surprised that any of them have survived for as long as ten years.
Your so rite I mean they did it with fear the walking dead and its a great show has some of the best story lines really loving the new season I’ve not agreed with everything on TWD I would have loved to see Abraham fighting against the saviors and tha whisperes loved his character and Carl I don’t have to say anything else lol
Very heartbroken that this show is going to end. The best that I have discovered in the zombie world. I love it and miss seeing it and how I wish that it would last longer. Have been attached to the show from beginning as well as to all the actors. Truly truly sad and I will miss it so bad.
I hate to see it end . Hopefully some will move over to fear the walking dead like Morgan and some others did .
Best show watch it over and over when I am said. Gonna miss it but keep watching the other one s
I’ve been a fan from the beginning and this show raised the bar for television, but, all things must end. Give these wonderful actors a chance to do other great work.I do hope they really get me with a good finale!
You’re an idiot!
Yes! My thoughts exactly!
one hundred percent.