Walking Dead: Final Season premieres in August; Could Steven Yeun return?

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

Fresh off last night’s season 10 finale comes news that The Walking Dead’s final season is set to premiere a lot sooner than expected – August 22nd to be precise. Check out the teaser above. While the show is set to wrap up with a supersized 24 episode season (yowza – that’s two seasons' worth of shows), The Walking Dead franchise isn’t going anywhere. 

While the ratings for the one-time powerhouse have declined in recent years, the show will go on with a spin-off focused on Norman Reedus’s Daryl and Melissa McBride’s Carol. The reason is simple – money, money, money. THR explains that the licensing rights for the flagship series are tied up in a myriad of deals, but by launching a cheaper spin-off that’s separate from the original, new licensing deals can be made – and presumably more money for all involved. 

In the meantime, the final season is set to be a battle royale, and in an interview with Deadline, showrunner Angela Kang, when asked if Steven Yeun could return as Glenn, seemed potentially open to the idea: 

Oh, man. I mean, I love Steven. I don’t know. He’s got so much going on so I don’t know, but you know we always love our Steven. I’m so excited for him. Minari is such a gorgeous movie and he deserves all the recognition he is getting.

Of course, Glenn famously got killed by Negan a few seasons ago, so if he comes back at all it’ll likely be in some kind of dream sequence or flashback. I wouldn’t hold my breath though. Yeun’s career is red-hot at the moment, with his recent Oscar nomination, plus he just scored a lead role in Jordan Peele’s new movie. He might be a little preoccupied. Speaking of which, check out Minari. It’s a great movie.

Are you still excited for more Walking Dead, or is it time to lay this franchise to rest? Talkback below!