Norman Reedus wouldn’t make Daryl Dixon without Greg Nicotero

Last Updated on September 27, 2023

There are certain names that are synonymous with The Walking Dead, two of which are undoubtedly actor Norman Reedus and executive producer Greg Nicotero. With Reedus getting his own character spinoff series in Daryl Dixon, it was time to reunite the two. But it may not have happened if Reedus didn’t go to bat for Nicotero.

Speaking with SFX, Greg Nicotero recalled how Norman Reedus stepped up and ensured that he would be included in the production of Daryl Dixon. “Norman kept saying, ‘You can’t do the show without Greg! You guys have got to make a deal. He’s got to be here!’”

Unfortunately, Nicotero’s involvement with Daryl Dixon won’t be as hands-on as it was with The Walking Dead, as he directed more than 30 episodes of the original series. “Then [showrunner] David [Zabel] called me and said, ‘How would you feel about not directing this season?’ Honestly, I felt that it was best for the show that we have someone else come in. Then I could help establish the visual palette, but have someone else realize it. In retrospect, I am really glad that I didn’t [direct] because it allowed me to roll up my sleeves with the directors and really hone in on exactly what we needed to do.” While Nicotero may not be at the helm of any of season one’s episodes, at least there is some hope for him to step behind the camera in future seasons.

Norman Reedus had been hyping Daryl Dixon – one of many spinoffs of The Walking Dead – ahead of its release as “f*cking epic”. Now that two episodes have aired, what do you think?

Arriving just three months before Daryl Dixon was Dead City, which focuses on Maggie Greene (Lauren Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). Next year will see the debut of The Ones Who Live, bringing the number of The Walking Dead spinoffs to six.

Do you feel Daryl Dixon is worthy of having his own The Walking Dead spinoff at this point or should they put a pause on these shows? Give us your take in the comments section below.