Norman Reedus Finally Weighs In On Melissa McBride's Abrupt Daryl And Carol Exit

The legacy of "The Walking Dead" is a long one, filled with brutality and violence. Most of the original characters from the first season meet untimely ends, or — like in the case of Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) — disappear entirely. But through sheer tenacity or willpower, two still remain. Both Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Carol (Melissa McBride) are original characters from Season 1, and after going through over a decade of trauma and character development, they've become some of the most beloved characters in the series.

Though "The Walking Dead" is nearing a close, the original plan for Daryl and Carol was that they would continue on. A spin-off television series was in the works featuring the two on the road. However, this plan recently got a little complicated. Due to some conflicts, McBride is reportedly unable to join the series after all. Though Reedus will now be leading the show alone, the actor has some comforting words for fans about McBride's departure.

Since Melissa McBride's departure was announced, there have been many reports about possible drama behind the scenes. AMC initially stated that McBride's departure was due to her inability to locate to Europe for the shoot. However, in a recent interview with Jimmy Fallon for "The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon," Norman Reedus added more context to the situation.

"You know, 12 years is a grueling schedule, and she wanted to take some time off. So she's doing that and she deserves it," Reedus told the host. He went on to say, "I imagine those characters are going to meet back up at some point." Though this may be a disappointment to fans who want to see a closer look at the dynamic between Daryl and Carol, McBride's decision is understandable. The actor has not only been playing the same character for over a decade, but shoots for "The Walking Dead" are no walk in the park. Reedus stated that shooting for the series takes a lot of effort, with filming for Season 11 lasting an entire year.

As fans know by now, this is not the end. There are still the Rick Grimes-centered films on the docket, as confirmed by "The Walking Dead" producer, director, and special effects artist Greg Nicotero to ComicBook last summer, and Reedus even hinted in the interview that some familiar faces could show up in the spin-off in the future. If Reedus has his way, this is not the end for Daryl and Carol, and there will likely be many exciting surprises on the horizon.