Tales Of The Walking Dead - What We Know So Far

"The Walking Dead" is dying. Currently on its 11th and final season, "The Walking Dead" has entertained fans for a bit more than a decade. Now it's finally ready to bite the dust. However, it seems like the dead can never simply stay that way in this franchise. For even as the original series is put to rest, a new spinoff rises from the grave, shambling towards viewers with the intention of infecting them. With such an affliction, people will be utterly zombified by what the franchise has in store for them next.

At least, that's what the series' creators at AMC hope will happen when its newest spinoff, "Tales of the Walking Dead," debuts. While rumors on this project have been circulating for years, AMC only recently gave it the green light. Now, the way has been opened for speculation regarding its release date, cast, and plot. Here is what we know so far about the upcoming "Tales of the Walking Dead" series.

According to Variety, "Tales of the Walking Dead" is set to release in the summer of 2022 via AMC and AMC+. This makes sense, as it is meant to be a follow up of the original "The Walking Dead" television series. The current and final season of "The Walking Dead," Season 11, began airing in August and will release 24 episodes total. Just based on its release date, it would seem as if "Tales of the Walking Dead" is being treated as the replacement for the original series. However, it simply isn't going to be as robust.

While the original "The Walking Dead" generally has seasons with 16 or more episodes, "Tales of the Walking Dead" is only receiving six episodes. Granted, the first season of the original series also has six episodes, so it is possible that the creators intend to build this new show into something much bigger. AMC COO Ed Carrol did tell Variety that the series is meant to be a "test kitchen" for potential new spinoffs. For now, fans will have to be content with a shorter, more experimental "The Walking Dead" experience.

Pinning down a cast for "Tales of the Walking Dead" is a bit of a challenge. For starters, AMC hasn't actually revealed any of the characters or actors who are set to appear in the series. The only thing the company has promised is that it will feature both new and old characters (via Deadline), which isn't too much of a surprise. The series is also an anthology, meaning each episode could take place in a different setting, with different characters, in completely different points in time. Pointing towards any kind of definitive cast at this stage is nearly impossible.

Nevertheless, that still leaves room open for speculation on which existing characters are due for a comeback. For instance, the likes of Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne (Danai Gurira) have been missing for quite some time, without being explicitly killed off. Likewise, Carol (Melissa McBride) and Daryl (Norman Reedus) are also both long standing survivors of the series. However, they might be more preoccupied with their own upcoming spinoff series (via Variety). Of course, that only scratches the surface of the potential characters who could appear in "Tales of the Walking Dead," but it gives an idea of how important to the franchise the show could potentially be, by way of including some of its oldest and most beloved characters.

Similarly to the potential cast for this upcoming series, the plot of "Tales of the Walking Dead" is also one giant question mark, especially since it's an anthology. Every loose plot thread or unanswered question in AMC's "The Walking Dead" universe could become part of the series. On top of that, each new episode could present something entirely unrelated to the original "The Walking Dead" show aside from some of its characters. In fact, it seems likely that this is the route the new series will take.

"We see so much potential for a wide range of rich and compelling storytelling in this world," AMC President of Original Programming Dan McDermott told Variety. "The episodic anthology format of 'Tales of the Walking Dead' will give us the flexibility to entertain existing fans and also offer an entry point for new viewers, especially on streaming platforms."

If what McDermott says is true, then it may make more sense for "Tales of the Walking Dead" to offer something unexpected and unpredictable. A lot can happen in a zombie apocalypse, especially with characters that are so colorful. As a result, fans may be left with a long wait before they unravel any more of the mysteries surrounding this spinoff series.