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The Walking Dead Television Universe, also known as the TV Universe, or simply The Walking Dead Universe[1] or TWDU is a multimedia universe of The Walking Dead media that is canon within the same universe as the original television series. The universe consists of seven television shows, eight webisode series, four video games, and a podcast.
Shows[]
The Walking Dead[]
The Walking Dead is the original television series developed by Frank Darabont. Consisting of eleven seasons (177 episodes), the series originally followed Rick Grimes as he sets out to find his family and encounters other survivors along the way. Midway through Season 9, Rick is taken away by members of a group known as the Civic Republic Military, causing the show to shift focus on the remaining members of the group such as Daryl Dixon, Carol Peletier, and Judith Grimes for the remainder of the series. The series began on October 31, 2010 and ended on November 20, 2022.
Fear the Walking Dead[]
Fear the Walking Dead is the first spin-off series of TV Series developed by Robert Kirkman and Dave Erickson. Consisting of eight seasons (113 episodes), the series originally followed Madison Clark and her family as they adapt to the new post-apocalyptic world in first three seasons which are set before and simultaneously with Season 1. Season 4 and onward take place after Season 8 (of the TV Series) and followed Morgan Jones leading a group of survivors to try to make the post-apocalyptic world a better place, until Madison's return in Season 7. Seasons 5 and 6 brought in Dwight and his wife, Sherry, respectively, to the main cast. Characters such as Rick Grimes, Carol Peletier, and Paul "Jesus" Rovia also make an appearance and the character of "Beta" makes a brief photographic appearance. Members of the Civic Republic Military have also been featured. The series began on August 23, 2015 and ended on November 19, 2023.
World Beyond[]
World Beyond is the second spin-off of the TV Series developed by Scott Gimple and Matt Negrete. Consisting of two seasons (20 episodes) and taking place during the six year time skip in "What Comes After", the series follows sisters Iris and Hope Bennett journeying into the zombie infected world for the first time to search for their father in New York. The series also explores more about the Civic Republic Military and the Alliance of the Three. Season 2 brought in Anne following her departure from the flagship series, the character of Beta, once again, in brief photographic appearance, and Dr. Edwin Jenner, who makes an appearance via video tape during the series' finale post-credits scene. The series began on October 4, 2020 and ended on December 5, 2021.
Tales of the Walking Dead[]
Tales of the Walking Dead is an anthology series developed by Scott Gimple and Channing Powell. Consisting of one season (6 episodes), the series follows individual characters from the TV universe, both new and old. Two of said old characters being Whisperer leader "Alpha" and her daughter Lydia. The series began on August 14, 2022 and ended on September 18, 2022.
Dead City[]
Dead City is the first sequel to the TV Series developed by Scott Gimple and Eli Jorné. The series follows Maggie Rhee and Negan Smith as they venture into Manhattan several years after the events of Season 11. The series began on June 18, 2023.
Daryl Dixon[]
Daryl Dixon is the second sequel to the TV Series developed by Scott Gimple and David Zabel. The series follows the title character in France after the events of Season 11. Season 2 will bring in Carol Peletier. The series began on September 10, 2023.
The Ones Who Live[]
The Ones Who Live is the third sequel to the TV Series developed by Scott Gimple, Andrew Lincoln, and Danai Gurira. Consisting of one season (6 episodes) and originally meant to be a trilogy of films, the series follows Rick Grimes and his wife, Michonne Grimes after the former was taken away by Anne and the Civic Republic Military in "What Comes After" and the latter left to look for him in "What We Become". The series began on February 25, 2024 and ended on March 31, 2024.
More Tales from the TWDU[]
More Tales from the TWDU (working title) is a short-form six-part scripted series taking place in the expanding world of The Walking Dead Universe.[2]
Webisodes[]
The Webisodes are a series of short video clips following the stories of characters new and old in the TV universe.
Torn Apart[]
Torn Apart is six part story which follows Hannah. The story reveal Hannah's backstory before her zombified appearance in "Days Gone Bye". All six parts were released on October 3, 2011 and written by John Esposito.
Cold Storage[]
Cold Storage is a four part story which follows Chase as he tries to reach his sister in the early days of the Trials. The webisode is set prior to Season 1 (of the TV Series). All four parts were released by October 1, 2012 and also written by John Esposito. The Grimes family (Rick, Lori, and Carl) and Shane Walsh make brief photographic appearances.
The Oath[]
The Oath is a three part story which follows Karina searching for an aid-station for her friend, Paul. The webisode is also set prior to Season 1 (of the TV Series), as it explores the origin of the "DON'T OPEN, DEAD INSIDE" door seen in "Days Gone Bye". All three parts were released on October 1, 2013 and written by Luke Passmore.
Flight 462[]
Flight 462 is a sixteen part mini series which follows Jake Powell and Alex on a commercial airplane during the earliest moments of the Trials, before their appearance in "Ouroboros". The first part was released on October 4, 2015 and the last part was released on March 26, 2016. The mini series coincides with "The Dog" as the character Nicholas Clark is briefly seen observing the plane's crash landing.
Passage[]
Passage is a sixteen part mini series which follows Sierra and Gabi as they try to find sanctuary. The first part was released on October 17, 2016 and the last part was released on March 27, 2017.
Red Machete[]
Red Machete is a six part story which follows Mandy and explores the origins of the red machete Rick used to kill Gareth. The first part was released on October 22, 2017 and the last part was released on April 9, 2018. All six parts were written by Nick Bernardone. The story also features the characters Joe and Tony before their appearance in Season 4 (of the TV Series), as well as scenes from the TV Series in comic animated form.
The Althea Tapes[]
The Althea Tapes are a six part mini series which follows Althea Szewczyk-Przygocki interviewing different survivors between the events of "Is Anybody Out There?" and "Channel 4". The first and second part were released on July 27, 2019 and the last part was released on August 8, 2019. It also ties into the Season 5 episode "You're Still Here".
Dead in the Water[]
Dead in the Water is a six part mini series which follows Jason Riley during the early days of the Trials aboard the USS Pennsylvania seen in Seasons 6 and 7 (of Fear). It also features the characters Walter Schowski and Theodore Maddox.
Games[]
Dead Reckoning[]
Dead Reckoning is an interactive online video game which follows Shane Walsh during the beginning of the Trials, after his partner, Rick, fell into a coma. The game was released on February 8, 2012. The game also features Leon Basset.
Survival Instinct[]
Survival Instinct is a first-person shooter video game developed by Terminal Reality and published by Activision, following Daryl Dixon before the events of the TV Series. The game was released on March 19, 2013. The game also features Daryl's brother, Merle, it also features the parents of Andrea and Amy, Terry Harrison and Mrs. Harrison, as well as a voice cameo by Dr. Candace Jenner.
Onslaught[]
Onslaught is a VR game published by Survivors. The game is set between Seasons 8 and 9 and follows Daryl Dixon as he journeys through uncharted territories to rescue a little girl named Daisy. Rick Grimes, Michonne Hawthorne, and Carol Peletier are also playable for supply missions. The game was released on September 29, 2020.
Pathways[]
Pathways is a voice-driven game published by Breeder. The game follows a group of survivors from Willow Creek seeking refuge at the neutrally aligned settlement of Alexandria. The group is eventually tasked by the Alexandrians with investigating one of two locations: either the Freedom Safari Park where hundreds of African animals have been fending for themselves since the start of the Trials, or, the mysterious Emergency Operations Center, and risk running into other hostile survivors. Depending on your success level at either location, the group may or may not be invited into Alexandria with open arms. The game was released in June 2022.
Podcast[]
Radio Waves[]
Radio Waves is a podcast series that ran from August 3 to October 3, 2016. It contained 6 different stories told across 15 parts. One story featured a character named Frank Swantek getting tricked by Jack Kipling, a member of Connor's Pirates who appeared in Season 2 of Fear the Walking Dead.
Shorts[]
360 Experience[]
360 Experience was initially a four part story that followed a survivor's moments before his death and what happened to him after he turned into a walker. One more episode was released that depicted how Negan and Gabriel made it into the trailer they were stuck in after the Militia's attack on the Sanctuary in "Mercy".
Timeline[]
- Main article: Television Universe Timeline
Character Appearances[]
This is a list of characters that have physically appeared in two or more mediums in the Television Universe and which series they appeared in.
| Characters Appearances | ||
|---|---|---|
| Appearance | Character(s) | Total Series Appeared |
| TV Series Fear Dead City Daryl Dixon The Ones Who Live Survival Instinct Onslaught |
Daryl Dixon | 7 |
| TV Series Fear Dead City The Ones Who Live Webisodes Onslaught |
Rick Grimes | 6 |
| TV Series Fear Dead City Webisodes 360 Experience The Ones Who Live |
Negan Smith | 6 |
| TV Series Fear Daryl Dixon The Ones Who Live Onslaught |
Carol Peletier | 5 |
| TV Series Dead City The Ones Who Live Webisodes Onslaught |
Michonne Grimes | 5 |
| TV Series Fear The Ones Who Live Webisodes |
Carl Grimes | 4 |
| TV Series Webisodes Dead Reckoning The Ones Who Live |
Shane Walsh | 4 |
| TV Series World Beyond The Ones Who Live |
Anne | 3 |
| TV Series Fear World Beyond |
Beta | 3 |
| TV Series Fear The Ones Who Live |
Paul Rovia Ezekiel Sutton Morgan Jones |
3 |
| TV Series Daryl Dixon The Ones Who Live |
Judith Grimes | 3 |
| TV Series Dead City The Ones Who Live |
Maggie Rhee | 3 |
| Fear The Ones Who Live Webisodes |
Althea Szewczyk-Przygocki | 3 |
| TV Series 360 Experience The Ones Who Live |
Gabriel Stokes | 3 |
| TV Series Webisode The Ones Who Live |
Joe Gareth |
3 |
| TV Series Survival Instinct The Ones Who Live |
Merle Dixon | 3 |
| TV Series Dead City The Ones Who Live |
Simon Hershel Greene Glenn Rhee |
3 |
| TV Series Fear |
Dwight Sherry Jenny Jones Duane Jones Eastman Benjamin Man 2 Gordon Emmett Carson Tanya Savior 10 Savior 11 |
2 |
| TV Series World Beyond |
Edwin Jenner | 2 |
| TV Series Dead City |
Hershel Rhee Rosita Espinosa Beth Greene Patricia Annette Greene Shawn Greene Otis Savior 29 |
2 |
| TV Series Tales |
Alpha/Dee Lydia |
2 |
| TV Series The Ones Who Live |
Aiden Bailey Mike Terry Rick Grimes Jr. Brion Tamiel Tomas Andrew Alex Philip Blake Tim Crowley Gargulio Pete Anderson Eugene Porter Dave Ethan Linus Gina Bat Smock Man Knife Smock Man Library Survivor Trooper 263 Siggard Family Horse |
2 |
| TV Series Webisodes |
Lori Grimes Tony Billy Harley Martin Mike Albert Bob Lamson Hannah Callaway |
2 |
| TV Series Dead Reckoning |
Leon Basset | 2 |
| Fear The Ones Who Live |
CRM Soldier 2 CRM Soldier 3 |
2 |
| Fear Webisodes |
Nicholas Clark Jake Powell Alex Jason Riley Walter Schowski Bell Garza Voss Theodore Maddox |
2 |
| World Beyond The Ones Who Live |
Jennifer Mallick Samuel Abboott |
2 |
Trivia[]
- The Trials in the TV Universe began on August 25, 2010.
- The day society collapsed on August 27, 2010 is referred to as "Monument Day".
- The virus that caused the Trials is called the "Wildfire Virus".
- It's heavily implied that the virus was created at la Biomédicine DDMI in France.
- Unlike the Comic Universe, the TV Universe features variant zombies.
- Daryl Dixon has been in a total of seven different mediums in the TV Universe, the most of any other character.
- The TV Universe has a total of 34 different protagonists.
- The fourteen confirmed alive are Rick Grimes, Daryl Dixon, Carol Peletier, Maggie Rhee, Michonne Grimes, Negan Smith, Madison Clark, Althea Szewczyk-Przygocki, Hope Bennett, Iris Bennett, an unnamed woman, Joe, Chauncey Everett, and Davon.
- The twelve with unknown statuses are Chase, Rachel, Devon, a conspiracy theorist, a DJ, Ballard, Frank Swantek, an unnamed man, Sierra, Mandy, Blair Crawford, and Morgan Jones.
- The eight confirmed deceased are Hannah, Shane Walsh, Karina, Jake Powell, Jason Riley, Dee, Idalia, and an unnamed survivor.
- Coincidentally, all of them reanimated.
- Karina, Jake, Idalia, and the unnamed survivor are the only ones who were not put down.
- Coincidentally, all of them reanimated.
- Rick Grimes and Daryl Dixon are the only characters to be protagonists of more than one medium.
- Gloria is confirmed to be "Patient Zero" of the Trials in the TV Universe.
- Donald Okafor currently possess the highest direct kill count in TV Universe, with at least 4,000 living people killed directly.
- However, if indirect kills are counted, then Jennifer Mallick currently possess the largest kill count out of any character in the TV Universe and the entire franchise as a whole, with a total of at least 107,087 victims.
- According to Chief Content Officer Scott Gimple, a new "phase" of the universe set after the debuts of several classic character spin-offs is currently being planned.[3]
- In the same interview, Gimple alluded to the fact that one of the projects included in this lineup could potentially be a second season of Tales of the Walking Dead.
- The Walking Dead is the longest show in the universe as well as the first one to reach the 100 episodes milestone.
References[]
The Walking Dead Television Universe
| |
|---|---|
| Shows | TV Series • Fear • World Beyond • Tales • Dead City • Daryl Dixon • The Ones Who Live • More Tales |
| Webisodes | Torn Apart • Cold Storage • The Oath • Flight 462 • Passage • Red Machete • The Althea Tapes • Dead in the Water |
| Games | Dead Reckoning • Survival Instinct • Onslaught • Pathways |
| Podcasts | Radio Waves |
| Shorts | 360 Experience |