Through eight seasons of The Walking Dead, there have been a number of outside threats to the characters that make up the main cast of the series: There’s been The Governor, Gareth, The Wolves, and most notably, Negan and the Saviors. Season 9 of The Walking Dead, featuring new showrunner Angela Kang, appears to go in a completely different direction. This is not about threats from the outside. It’s about threats from within. In 25 seconds, the teaser lays out the what will be driving force in the forthcoming season: A brewing Civil War between two allied communities, Alexandria and The Kingdom.
A new world is coming — and HERE’S A SNEAK PEEK. Full extended S9 trailer drops TOMORROW. #TWD pic.twitter.com/6nV44oI3yE
— The Walking Dead (@WalkingDead_AMC) July 19, 2018
From the looks of it, Alexandria has moved out into tents while they rebuild their community, and based on Michonne’s harsh words with Maggie, The Kingdom presents a major threat, while Negan seems as though he’s playing the wild card. Also, Jerry has got a girlfriend. #Priorities
What we do know is that Andrew Lincoln is likely to leave in the front half of the season and that Lauren Cohan’s time on the series will be reduced in season 9. (Jon Bernthal will also be making an appearance). While we’re not sure how the series will write out Rick Grimes (we have theories), I think it’s fair to say Maggie and Negan cannot co-exist in the same community. Unless Negan is going to spend the entire season inside a jail cell, Maggie’s relocation seems inevitable (see: The Helicopter).
There’s also a number of other pieces being re-arranged on The Walking Dead this season. Tony nominee Lauren Ridloff has been added to the cast and will play Connie, a deaf character, while Fantastic Beasts star Dan Fogler has also reportedly come on board, although details on his character are scarce.
The full The Walking Dead trailer will premiere tomorrow while the cast members are at Comic-Con. Season 9 will debut in the fall.
