The Walking Dead Television Universe

This article is about the Television Universe. You may be looking for the Comic Universe.

Developer	Frank Darabont Robert Kirkman Dave Erickson Scott Gimple Matt Negrete Channing Powell Eli Jorné David Zabel Danai Gurira Andrew Lincoln
Distributor	AMC AMC+ Fox International Channels
Showrunner	Frank Darabont Glen Mazzara Scott Gimple Angela Kang Dave Erickson Andrew Chambliss Ian Goldberg Matt Negrete Channing Powell Eli Jorné David Zabel Seth Hoffman
Based On	Image Comics' The Walking Dead
Shows	8
Seasons	31
Episodes	369 (355 aired)
Webisodes	63
Games	4
Podcasts	1
Shorts	1
Original Run	October 31, 2010 to Present

The Walking Dead Television Universe, also known as the TV Universe, The Walking Dead Universe or simply TWDU is a shared universe of The Walking Dead media that is canon within the same continuity 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. The series consists of eleven seasons (177 episodes) and originally followed Rick Grimes as he sets out to find his wife and son, and encounters other survivors along the way. After finding his family, he leads a group of survivors and tries to find a safe haven for them to rebuild civilization. After numerous attempts, they find the Alexandria Safe Zone and develop the Coalition. Midway through Season 9, Rick is taken by the Civic Republic Military - causing the show to shift focus on the other members of the group such as Daryl Dixon, Carol Peletier, and Judith Grimes for the remainder of the series. The group makes contact with a surviving city called the Commonwealth and successfully rebuilds civilization. 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. The series consists of eight seasons (113 episodes), the first three of which are set before and simultaneously with Season 1 of the main show and originally followed Madison Clark and her son and daughter as they adapt to the outbreak and new post-apocalyptic world. Season 4 onward take place after Season 8 of the main show and follows Morgan Jones leading a group of survivors to try and make the post-apocalyptic world a better place, until Madison's return in Season 7. The group eventually decides to split up following a conflict, but with intentions to do good. Seasons 5 and 6 brought in Dwight and his wife, Sherry, respectively, to the main cast. Characters such as Rick Grimes, Carol Peletier, Paul "Jesus" Rovia, Jenny Jones, and Duane Jones also make an appearance, and the character of "Beta" makes a brief photographic appearance. Members of the Civic Republic Military are featured, as well. 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. The series consists of two seasons (20 episodes) and takes place ten years after the outbreak (during the six year time skip in "What Comes After"). It follows sisters Iris and Hope Bennett journeying into the zombie infected world for the first time to search for their father in New York, who is conducting research for the Civic Republic Military (CRM). After learning that the CRM is responsible for the genocide of their home and Omaha, with intentions on destroying Portland, the family tries to stop them. The series 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, makes a brief photographic appearance, and Dr. Edwin Jenner makes an appearance via video log 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 episodic anthology series developed by Scott Gimple and Channing Powell. The series consists of one season and follows individual characters from the TV universe, both new and old, during various times in the post-apocalypse. Characters "Alpha" and her daughter Lydia make an appearance. The series began on August 14, 2022.

Dead City

Dead City is the first sequel to the TV Series developed by Scott Gimple and Eli Jorné. The series consists of two seasons and follows Maggie Rhee and Negan Smith as they venture into Manhattan four years after the events of Season 11 to rescue her kidnapped son, Hershel. The mission turns into a conflict when the Burazi, the group that occupies Manhattan, develops methane gas from the zombies and is coveted by the New Babylon Federation. Characters such as Simon, Lucille Smith, and Annie Smith make an appearance. 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 consists of four seasons (27 episodes) and follows Daryl Dixon, and later Carol Peletier, in Europe shortly after the events of Season 11, as Daryl was kidnapped and brought to France. After Carol journeys to France to rescue Daryl, they make their way to the United Kingdom and Spain. The characters Sophia Peletier and Merle Dixon make several appearances via flashbacks and hallucinations. The series began on September 10, 2023 and will end in 2026.

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. Originally meant to be a trilogy of films, the series consists of one season (6 episodes) and follows Rick Grimes and his wife, Michonne, as they try to escape the Civic Republic of Philadelphia after he was captured and brought in by Anne and the Civic Republic Military (CRM) eight years prior. As they learn that the CRM plans to destroy Portland and other communities, such as their home, Rick and Michonne try to take down the military to save everyone. The characters Gabriel Stokes, Judith Grimes, and R.J. Grimes make an appearance. 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.

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. The webisodes' teleplays were written by John Esposito, from the stories by Esposito and Greg Nicotero.

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 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. The webisodes' teleplays were written by Luke Passmore, from the stories by Greg Nicotero.

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, Theodore Maddox, and Bell.

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 Daryl Dixon	Sophia Peletier	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, the era in which the world fell to the zombies, began on August 25, 2010 in the TV Universe.
  • The day society collapsed on August 27, 2010 is referred to as "Monument Day".
  • The virus that caused the Trials is called "Wildfire".
    • 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.
  • 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.
  • However, this is unlikely as people were reanimating prior Gloria. It's possible the meaning of this was that Gloria was the first zombie chronologically seen on screen in the Television 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.
  • 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.