Norman Reedus Discusses Melissa McBride’s Exit On The Walking Dead Spin-off

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Norman Reedus Discusses Melissa McBride’s Exit On The Walking Dead Spin-off

Last month, it was reported that Melissa McBride had exited the planned Carol/Daryl spin-off series of The Walking Dead. Now, star Norman Reedus (who plays Daryl Dixon) has spoken up about the move.

Appearing Monday on a recent episode of The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Reedus was asked about the topic. He said that McBride was taking some time off, and that he supported the move wholeheartedly.

“Twelve years is a grueling schedule and she wanted to take some time off, so she’s doing that. She deserves it,” said Reedus, before noting that he doesn’t believe that fans have seen the last of the fan-favorite duo. “I imagine those characters are gonna meet back up at some point and I might even meet up with some other characters down the road. But she’s taking time off and in the meantime, they were like, ‘Hey, you want to go on a mission?’ And I’m like, ‘Yeah! Let’s go on a mission.’”

The planned spin-off was said to focus on the duo of McBride and Reedus, with the series set and shot in Europe. According to a statement from AMC last week, McBride’s reason for departure was due to the fact that she could not relocate to Europe at the time. However, Reedus’ statements on The Tonight Show seem to hint that perhaps McBride was just ready for a break from The Walking Dead filming lifestyle.

The Carol/Daryl spin-off series is just one of many planned series set to be based on The Walking Dead, with a spin-off focused on Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s Negan and Lauren Cohan’s Maggie also in the works. The episodic anthology series Tales of the Walking Dead, as well as the ongoing Fear the Walking Dead, are also still on AMC’s plate going forward.

The Walking Dead currently stars Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, Lauren Cohan, Cailey Fleming, Josh McDermitt, Christian Serratos, Seth Gilliam, Ross Marquand, Khary Payton, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. It also features Nadia Hilker, Lauren Ridloff, Cooper Andrews, Callan McAuliffe, Eleanor Matsuura, and Cassady McClincy.

It is based on Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard’s comic series of the same name. Kirkman also executive produces the series along with Scott M. Gimple, Greg Nicotero, David Alpert, Joseph Incaprera, Gale Anne Hurd, and Denise Huth. Angela Kang has also returned as the showrunner for the final installment.