Now We Know Why Maggie Is So Important To Next Season’s ‘The Walking Dead’

There has been a great deal of talk the last couple of months about the return of Maggie Rhee in the ninth season of The Walking Dead. Contract negotiations for the next season of The Walking Dead stalled with Lauren Cohan way back in February when Cohan asked to be paid on par with Daryl and Rick. A few weeks later, then-showrunner Scott Gimple even stated that it’s possible that the show would not have her next season, although two weeks after that, Gimple said that he was confident she’d be back. “I shan’t even entertain the thought.” Gimple said, “We’re talking; I’m pretty positive. We’re figuring it out. The timing could work well, so all good.” In the meantime, Cohan signed on to a pilot for another network, ABC, although it is not yet guaranteed to go to air.

Some questioned Cohan’s role in the future of the series. While her character continues to live on in The Walking Dead comics, her role is not what it once was in the series when Glenn was still alive, and it seemed like now might be a good time for her to jump ship.

However, the season eight finale of The Walking Dead threw us all for a loop when Maggie teased her role in the future of the series. While some may have agreed with Rick’s decision to follow the spirit of Carl and let Negan live, Maggie was not one of them. Her reaction to Rick letting Negan remain alive can be described in one word: livid.

In fact, as we saw at the end of the episode, Maggie has new plans in post-war The Hilltop As she confides to Jesus — and Daryl — she has plans to rebuild The Hilltop, bigger and better able to defend itself. Why? Because she wants to exact revenge against Rick and Michonne for letting Negan live. “We’re going to bide our time, wait for our moment, and then we’re going to show [Rick].”

Is Maggie next season’s villain? Is The Walking Dead setting up a showdown between The Hilltop and Alexandria?

Now that is interesting.

If that is indeed the case, Maggie’s role on the show is crucial next season as the leader of The Hilltop. No wonder she wanted a pay raise, and if I am AMC, I would give her whatever she is asking for. That storyline is one most viewers will be incredibly excited to see.