The Walking Dead boss Angela Kang has reacted to the surprise news that saw the spinoff series being announced before final episodes of the show aired.
In an exclusive interview with Digital Spy, the showrunner said that the decision to announce the Maggie and Negan spin-off series The Walking Dead: Dead City was a “surprise” as it revealed their characters’ fates ahead of the finale.
Speaking of the decision, Kang said it was not up to her but instead the decision was made by the studios and networks.
“It’s just important to bear in mind that studios and networks – they really determine the timing of announcements, ” said Kang. “That is just above the pay grades of those of us who are working on the creative.”
According to the showrunner, the announcement was sprung on them at the last minute and it was clear it would affect the story.
“What it affects for us in the story is… there are certain things in the story that are going to play differently, because now you know that they are off limits.”
Though when the future of Negan and Maggie was revealed, it became obvious they wouldn’t die in the series, Kang said there was still an element of emotional jeopardy.
“I think that there’s always jeopardy for the characters,” she explained. “No matter what, because even if you know that they aren’t going to die, there’s a lot that you still don’t know about how it’s going to play out.
“Like, what are going to be the emotional consequences for them, and what are going to be the consequences for people around them,” she added.
“That’s the part that I would encourage people to lean into – if they’re a little surprised by that being spoiled for them.”
The Walking Dead season 11 airs on AMC in the US.
Source: digitalspy.com