Please enjoy this sneak peek of Episode 306 of Wicked City. Which debuts on ALLBLK, tomorrow, 11/21/24!

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Series Premiere of ‘The Creep Tapes’.

Truly one of the most captivating horror franchises of the past decade, is the Creep franchise. Simply because, this particular saga offered up a supremely original idea. Wherein we were treated twice over to captivating and horrifying stories about a serial killer who may or may not be named Josef that loved to appear on camera and slowly torture his victims with psychological warfare before unleashing his bloodlust and his fury upon them. And well, we simply haven’t ever seen that kind of concept before, nor how those stories played out, and it also doesn’t hurt that A-lister Mark Duplass brought this monster to life in a captivating manner, that kept us guessing and has kept us wanting more from this saga.

For Creep and Creep 2 rightfully posed a lot of questions about how long Josef has been at this, especially when one considers the vast collection, he revealed in the second film of tapes that should bear more awful evidence of his crimes, and of course… the morbid curiosity within all of us wanted to know what happened to the people on those tapes. Specifically, how Josef handled them and what he did to bring about their end and well… at long last, we are finally getting more of Josef and good ol’ Peachfuzz, and knowledge about what is on those tapes, courtesy of the new Shudder series, The Creep Tapes. Which offers us a new angle regarding Josef's maddening and bloodthirsty rampage and well, that leads to a stunning series premiere storytelling wise.

In large part, because the band is back together since Mark Duplass reprises the role of Josef and Patrick Brice is back to direct and write with Mark and what they have assembled, is chilling and hopeless. Since ‘Mike’ and ‘Elliot’ are a pair of stories that inform us that Josef has been perfecting his craft and his mind games for some time now. Since we watch two horribly elaborate schemes play out in this premiere. The first one involves some serious enticement, since Josef is eager to lure a filmmaker out to a remote cabin to film Josef’s acting audition tape before an untimely end comes into play, and the second story sees Josef pretend to be a lost skydiver who uses that random element of surprise to slaughter another innocent.

But it is what happens during both of these stories that makes this premiere so stunning in nature. In large part, because we get some unique insight into Josef’s style of hunting. Granted, we know he uses deception and promises and every trick in the book to fool and distract but what is on display here… makes Josef a far more terrifying a killer. Because here, we see him work to sell trust to his new victims. Even going so far as to prepare skits and sketches for the unfortunate filmmaker in his stead, to really make it seem as though this is legit and totally not a murder in the making. Plus, as that skydiver, he is so incredibly sincere and confused and scared, a move that truly lowers his victim’s guard so that the unthinkable can happen and this is just terrifying when all is said and done.
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Because he is that eager to have to what he wants and while there is some measure of comedy to these moments, since a re-enactment of Misery, some vampire fangs, and a desperate, nasty letter to a fake skydiving company are chuckle worthy… they are part of a master plan, of a need that only one thing can fulfill and once Josef moves in for the kill, are we left uncomfortable and helpless as he does what he does best. In fact, his ‘monologue’ for the short film in the first story, is unbelievably chilling and scary, since we know its sincere, and the final kill in the second story is just so heartbreaking and ugly, and that adds stunning nature of this premiere, and of course reminds us… that we are in the presence of outright storytelling brilliance.

For this is just… amazing horror. Plain and simple. Courtesy of magnificent stories that find new ways to keep this franchise fresh and well, it all works here. Because you don’t walk away from this premiere feeling good, you’re disturbed, and you’re frightened, thanks in large part to Mark Duplass, who adds refreshed zeal to this already horrifying character. But above all, it finally does give us great insight into the monster, and how he’s operated for years and how perhaps he’s evaded the authorities for so long. Since he is a chameleon clearly, and well, in the end, this magnificent premiere simply leaves us eager for more. More of Mister Duplass’ stunning performance and more from his morbid mine of murder as season one of this refreshing new horror series continues along. Until next time.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Five of ‘Hysteria!’ To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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If there is one particular storytelling element that fans of the new Peacock and USA Network series, Hysteria! have been waiting for… it’s answers. Because thus far, we don’t know what is happening in the idyllic town of Happy Hollow. We just know that fear has gripped this town, and disturbing discoveries are everywhere to be found. All of which seems to relate to something evil growing in the shadows. But alas, it may not be anything evil at all. In fact, what might be happening here is nothing short of a theological takeover of the town because of the fear that certain parties harbor, and that can be said with some measure of confidence, simply because answers came forth in this week’s episode of the show.

For ‘Mother’ made it clear, that all of the problems the town is currently experiencing, relates less to Dylan and his desire to be admired, or Judith’s dark curiosities. It all comes down to Tracy, and her supremely sordid past. Since we came to discover that she was not always the perfect Christian Nuisance we know her to be. No, instead, back in her youth, she was a wild child. One raised by some ultraconservative parents (played brilliantly by horror royalty Jeffrey Combs and Barbara Crampton), that she was eager to rebel from. To the point where she eagerly enjoyed the finer things in life. But alas, her parents didn’t want her out and about in the world living a non-Christian life, so they hired the mysterious reverend, to deprogram her. 

Which brought about a harrowing time for Tracy. Wherein she was basically tortured and psychologically broken to be compliant, as opposed to anyone stepping in and helping her find a better path instead of the one her parents demanded of her. But that’s not how things worked in 1969, and eventually she was returned home as the perfect little Christian daughter and this matters, because of her daughter, Faith. Who was having bad cramps from a violent menstrual cycle and of course discovering boys and well, Tracy saw that as a warning sign. One that would create the same person she once was, who she was taught was bad and evil and filled with darkness for trying to enjoy life. So rather than talk with her daughter and help her make better decisions, she just had her kidnapped.

That of course, led to pain and suffering for Faith, as she was tortured and drugged to help her forget the darkness she witnessed when Ryan died. But that spoke to the fact… that all the terror in this town has been related to the will of one woman. One who felt the need to impart beliefs upon the town and her family and because of that, all are suffering now. And that, combined with the fact that the reverend wants her to take control of this town, made it clear that as is often the case in our history, ideology and stupidity and a broken mind is leading a town to ruin through fear, suffering and an imposing of a will. To make matters worse… a violent bonding moment may help in accomplishing her ultimate goal.

Which all hints at the possibility that this town is quite literally suffering from mass hysteria, and everything we are seeing is related to fear and panic and Tracy’s machinations. But while we wait for confirmation on that, we can celebrate one amazing tale. One that answered so many questions and really did remind us, how people like Tracy, who weaponize religion and more extreme conservative values… always cause more harm than good in our world, and well, that bitter truth  leaves us eager to enjoy more of this story. Since just like that, we may be looking at an ideological battle to save this town, and that will lead to some fascinating commentary that we can perhaps apply in our world as this brilliant series continues along. Until next time.

There are few things in this world more polarizing, than religion, and it makes sense as to why. After all, religion has done… a lot of bad in the world. Since it has been the driving force of genocide time and time again, and so many have used its cloak to commit atrocities in the name of a deity that may or may not exist. Not to mention, so many use it as an excuse to do and say bad things to others since forgiveness should offer them absolution for their acts. But above all… what makes religion so rough is the sheer fact that there are wars fought over which religion is correct. All of which has brought about chaos, the kind that shockingly, is hard to let go of.
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Because on the flip side, religion has done so much for us as well. Because it has tasked us to think beyond our mortality and that perhaps there is life after death and a reward for making the choice to be more and be better. Plus, it has given focus and strength to the lost and helped people find hope in the darkness. Which more or less means humanity is in a toxic relationship with religion. Where we cannot address the bad because of the good, and it’s left so many wondering what a world would look like with this back and forth and if we can ever let religion go, and if so… what would we replace it with? Of course, there’s no easy answer to that question, which is why we turn to stories regarding such matters, since they can offer up fresh perspective, and it just so happens that a brand-new horror film from A24 offers up some thoughts on how perhaps we can move past it.

A feat that Heretic accomplishes by introducing us to a pair of missionaries from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints named, Sister Barnes and Sister Paxton, who are eager to spread the word of their religion. In fact, when we meet them here, they are indeed out and about the town, doing their work and talking to so many and they are supremely excited to sit down and talk with Mr. Reed. Who is supremely enthusiastic about discussing the Mormon faith with them, and its value, and at first… it seems as though this discussion will be healthy and productive. But a surprise discovery, and a change in demeanor from Mr. Reed informs these missionaries, that he has darker intentions, the kind that involve showing them the truth about religion and how fruitless it is to follow it… at any cost.

Which brings forth… a stunning horror feature. One that uses Reed’s lessons to truly explore the conflict of religion in a compelling and powerful manner. The kind where you agree with what he has to say and what he reveals, and that is what makes this feature so bold and so compelling. Because it holds nothing back in its criticism of religion and how cookie cutter it can be, not to insult it, but to open our eyes to how perhaps it no longer holds weight in our modern world and that the time has come to think differently about faith and its role in the construction of our society. In fact, the film offers an answer regarding that, since it speaks to how we should have faith in one another, and work toward better moral codes as a society to create the same sense of peace that religion creates, and while that’s not exactly a revolutionary theory, it has weight and gravitas.
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But of course, while it is nice to see some real discourse about the chaos of religion and enjoy a film that ponders upon what could replace it and what we could keep from it to lift people up, make no mistake about it… this is a horror film through and through, and much of that comes courtesy of Mr. Reed and his many vast lessons about religion. Since he has created a house of theological horrors for Barnes and Paxton to deal with, to learn what he wants them to learn, and that leads to some genuinely chilling moments, that speak to the cruelty we are capable of and how that cruelty motivates religion to exist, But also… the story just delivers some downright unsettling moments and decisions, the kind that are twisted and uncomfortable and truly leave one squirming in their seat. 

Which gives rise, to a stunning horror film. One that preys upon our fears of death, of what lie beyond the end, and our fears of the unknown to a deliver a thought and chilling story. One that also features some stellar acting, with Hugh Grant (Mr. Reed) leading the charge. In fact, he is an outright revelation here since he taps into new corners of his skill set in this film, to create a man that is part villain and part hero but all around twisted and that makes this motion picture an absolute must-see. Because this is that rare horror film that challenges a corner of our world that few do, and it really does leave us with plenty to think upon. Courtesy of a story that really ponders deeply upon the dangers of not letting go of that which may no longer serve us.

Please enjoy this sneak peek of Episode 305 of Wicked City. Which debuts on ALLBLK, tomorrow, 11/14/24!

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the motion picture, ‘Black Cab’.
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One particular concern that arises when a genre soars to new heights popularity wise, is that it sometimes forgets its roots. For instance, science fiction became focused on action and spectacle over analysis when it hit the big time and crime stories also leaned hard into a new dynamic. Wherein gritty stories, technology, grizzled detectives, and intelligent super villains ruled the day, and this all happens for one simple reason. In that, those elements help bring those genres to a new standing, so why not stick with what works and ride the positive waves? But fans do take concern with it because they don’t want those genres to lose sight of what made them so magical. But what’s fascinating about this concern, is that it doesn’t extend to horror.

Of course, one would think that it would. After all, horror from being a niche outlier to a mega genre. Where the living dead have dominated the airwaves and where people are flocking to theaters to enjoy stories that are deep and brooding and powerful. So, why aren’t more people crying foul and citing worries that the genre will become more cerebral and leave scares behind? Because it doesn’t forget its roots and it knows that sometimes… fans aren’t interesting in seeing a story that explores grief or our trauma. They just want to plunge into a corner of a world that is filled with bad vibes and scary things and ugly people and for proof that it maintains such films, look no further than the latest release on Shudder, Black Cab.

For this particular film plunges us into a tough time for a woman named Anne. For she’s dealing with some hard personal changes in her life, one of which remains a secret while the other, is being celebrated by everyone but her. For she’s said yes to marrying Patrick. Her garbage boyfriend, now fiancé, and well… Anne is clearly at a crossroads here and eager to figure out what comes next. But before she can do that, a voyage home from a night out, makes everything outside of survival unimportant. For her and Patrick’s cab driver, a fellow named Ian, is nothing short of a monster. One that is eager to capture them both and drag them out to the middle of nowhere… to fulfill the wishes of a sinister being that may or may not be real.

Which is straight up, old school horror for certain. Because there are no lessons to be found here about what’s right and what’s wrong, and no discussions regarding the human condition. This is just, a sour story about people caught up in bad situations across the board and that makes… for a genuinely unsettling story. One that really does just showcase how being in the wrong place at the wrong time can be a terrible thing, with a depressing chaser regarding how we tolerate mediocrity and suffer greatly for it, and the end result… is a hideous road trip. One that becomes more terrifying and uncomfortable by the minute, as Ian becomes more unhinged and leans harder into his belief that there is a spirit he must serve or face pain through punishment.
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A move that adds to the chaotic nature of the feature, since we never really know if that spirit exists or not, or if we are at the whims of a broken man that has simply snapped and needs justification to harm others, and that setup leads to a supremely scary feature. One grounded in the power of our cruelty and our fears of the unknown and of people. Since this is a worst-case scenario moment/nightmare/worry for so many of us. But of course, in order to properly sell this kind of story and these kinds of scares, you need a magnificent actor to pull it off and this film has that in genre legend Nick Frost. Who has showcased over his illustrious career that he can play the straight man, and he can play the loose cannon, and he is all of those things in this feature in a manner that is powerfully convincing and chilling.

All of which brings forth, just a dynamic and engaging horror film. One that defies convention and leaves the norms behind to scare the living hell out of us, and it truly does accomplish its mission. Courtesy of a series of downer moments and genuine cruelty from this broken man and setting the story in a cab and in the isolated countryside, adds to the tension and gives it a claustrophobic feel. Which makes one feel even more uncomfortable and plunges us into the middle, of a horror film that understands the true core of the genre. Which also makes this, an absolute must-see, because it really is an oasis of terror in a sea of elevated scares and a truly refreshing feature. Courtesy of its unique story, one that reminds us… that evil just exists in the world and strikes when it feels the time is right.

Caution: This article contains spoilers for Episode Four of ‘Hysteria!’ To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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Over the course of the past few weeks, we’ve talked at length about the sheer brilliance of the new Peacock and USA Network series, Hysteria!, and rightfully so. For this show is horror at its finest, since it features good scares, good gore and some hard commentary regarding modern America. But sometimes, a horror story doesn’t have to lend itself to higher concepts. It can just explore fear and the world that fear is working to take over and that’s why the next episode of this show is of note. Because ‘Dance Macabre’ mostly left the commentary behind to ponder upon the mysteries introduced in last week’s episode and the grand question… what the hell is happening in Happy Hollow?

As it turns out… it all relates to someone eager to create chaos. For Faith came to learn that her mother is a pawn for someone. Someone that identifies as a reverend and wants Tracy to do his bidding and keep her daughter silent so that whatever plan they have in place, can be completed. In fact, to keep it on track, he had ‘Officer Hartman’ head over to the police station to clear his name. An act that didn’t go well since the chief put him in cuffs for a traffic infraction. But this revealed that someone has plans for this town and none of them can be good in the slightest. But that was all we and Faith received answer wise on that front, and that discovery was enough for Faith… to flex her own muscles and enjoy a little freedom for a change. Such as taking Jordy to the big dance that was coming up soon. 

In fact, the dance was quite the point of contention in this tale. Mainly because Dylan’s desire to go with Judith and continue to feed into her desires for a cult, began to put real pressure on the band. To the point where they avoided one another, and interaction slowed outside of general band stuff. Because Jordy and Spud really believed that she was going to cause great trouble for Dylan, and the band, and they were right. Because she full on tried to consummate her relationship with Dylan in front of cult members, and thanks to the arrival of the chief, this was the weirdest moment of Dylan’s life and has him hot water, and well, that moment and whatever the hell Tracy is up to, spoke to the reality that it appears that someone is trying to shake this town to its roots for reasons unknown.

Something further reinforced by the shock encounter that Faith had when she got home, with the other half of the kidnapping duo that ripped her away from home. But of course, it would seem this push by the reverend and others to scare an American town into thinking evil has come, may have awakened something evil after all. For the rashes continued to break out in this tale and Linda had more harrowing encounters with whatever evil seems to have taken notice of her. Which is a stroke of genius storytelling wise. Because long term, that will speak to how our fear and our ignorance often leads to greater problems, while at the same time, providing us with some wild moments that will make every 80s horror movie proud.

Which means this episode deserves a round of applause. For its quality worldbuilding. For the reveal that there is indeed more human evil at work here than previously thought, and for hinting that something else has been poked awake by people screwing around with things they simply don’t understand. But while we wait to see that backfire, we can also celebrate a damn good story that reflected the high school experience and how hard it is to find freedom as a teenager and how hard it is to make changes to our lives during that era. Which added wonderful depth to an already wonderful story. One that has us eager to continue the journey to see what happens next, now that fear is beginning to potentially feed something dark and twisted. Until next time.

Please enjoy this sneak peek of Episode 304 of Wicked City. Which debuts on ALLBLK, tomorrow, 11/7/24!

Caution: This article contains spoilers for the Season Two Finale of ‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’. To revisit the previous episode, click here.
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One particular truth that none of us like to speak aloud, is that the only way forward in this life is to let go of our past, and it makes sense as to why we don’t want to say that aloud. Because then… it becomes tangible and holds us accountable to bad habits and bad behaviors that we hold to and rely upon. Which is… to hang onto the past, for reasons we think are somehow helpful. Such as say, keeping the memory of lost loved ones alive by constantly honoring them daily. Or by keeping past transgressions in the top of our mind so that we hold ourselves accountable to mistakes made so we never make them again, and we also hold to the words spoken in ugly conversations with people that mattered in the moment, where we believe we overstepped bounds, to keep us humble.

But deep down, we all know that holding onto the past is a punishment of sorts. Since sometimes honoring the dead is a form of survivor’s remorse, and holding to old mistakes punishes a soul, and believing that someone was right in saying dark things about us is the wrong way to look at their words. For they said that to hurt over inspire, and those words have no meaning. And we do this, simply because the past has gravity and it can impact us deeply, and we believe that holding onto such things will keep us strong and drive us forward. But deep down we also know, this act doesn’t do any of that. It freezes us in place and leaves us miserable, so we must speak that truth and resolve the past or let go of the stuff that we are hanging onto, to find peace, and that was a lesson that Daryl Dixon and Carol Peletier had to learn in the season two finale of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol on AMC.

However, it did not seem as though that was going to be the case in ‘Au Revoir Les Enfants’. For this particular tale opened up with a fight to protect Laurent. Because as Ash finished repairs upon the plane, something sinister was heading to the racetrack. For the remnant of Losang’s twisted cult were eager to find Laurent and continue their work, and when an attempt to attack Codron and Fallou to learn about the plane’s location failed, they turned to the next best source of information in the City of Lights… Anna. For she truly was always in the know in this town, and she of course, was forced at gunpoint to take the cultists to that racetrack/airfield, and she only agreed… because she had one last ace up her sleeve. 

In that, she made every attempt to kill them by plunging them into an enclosed space filled with the dead. But that plan only did minimal damage and cost her everything. But she believed in Laurent’s freedom and thankfully… that bought Daryl, Carol, Fallou and Codron enough time to prepare to fight against these forces long enough to get Laurent and Ash into the air and off to the United States of America. Giving him a second chance at a better and far more normal life, but of course… it left Carol and Daryl stranded in France. But their decision to give the future a chance wasn’t totally in vain. Since the loss of Laurent was more than the cult could bear, and just like that… the group collapsed and went its separate ways and Carol and Daryl… worked with their friends to begin to figure out a new exit strategy from France.

Wherein they would meet up with some smugglers from the United Kingdom, who, for a price, would lead the group through the English Channel and into London where perhaps they could find better charter back to America, and that brought about some serious downtime and a chance for everyone to reflect upon this harrowing experience. Which brought about the exploration in question. For everyone was forced to face the past in some form or fashion. Fallou for instance came to realize that he used the past as an excuse to push forward constantly, out of the belief that the darkness kept him strong and made him a survivor. Only for him to learn that he already was a strong survivor, and it was okay now to live a little. Which was why he stayed behind, to love. 
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Whereas Codron came to understand that he held onto the anger of his brother’s death for far too long and made too many poor decisions because of that, and it was either let that anger go or continue down this dark path, and of course… Carol and Daryl had their own demons to settle up with. Since Daryl felt real survivor’s remorse over Isabelle’s death and didn’t feel himself worthy of returning home, and of course, Sophia still haunted Carol and they both briefly pondered upon letting all that go but resorted to the norms. Because they are both survivors, and both people who have used the darkness to give them strength to go on and use their pain to find purpose. But this time around, there was not going to be another escape from the pain in the hearts, for the Channel forced them to face it.
 
Through of course, wild circumstances. For it turned out that a segment of the channel that the guides were unfamiliar with, harbored some genuine surprises. Specifically, mutations in nature. For the bat guano present in the channel, along with the rotten corpses of the living dead down there, combined to create toxic, mind altering fumes, and hideous bioluminescence. Which brought forth hallucinations and fear. The kind that drove Codron to run off to heaven knows where and that forced Daryl and Carol to face their pain and face the horrors of the past. So that they could finally resolve it, let go and move ahead with new purpose and new direction. Which is where we left them, free of their burdens and off into the world in a new chapter of the story.

All of which brought forth, a stunning finale. One that set the stage for season three in a fascinating manner, but once again… did what few horror stories ever do and offered up character growth and healing for these two emotionally wounded individuals. Which made for a bittersweet tale really. One that spoke to how hard it is to let go, and how we aren’t bad people because of it. Just that we are creatures that live with fear, and we are terrified of change and the unknown and what life will be like without a pain that gives us so much in a time of need. But truly, we have to let it go, we have to be free of it so we can truly live life and enjoy every precious moment we get, and that really is a lovely message to find here, and it will be interesting to see what Carol and Daryl do with their emotional freedom come season three. Until next year.

One thing that fans of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon can agree upon, is that The Book of Carol was a magnificent season of storytelling. One that dug deep into some powerful topics that horror rarely touches upon, and it harbored some amazing moments as well. That brought us to tears of sorrow and joy, and outright took our breath away. For it was a grand and sweeping, and impressive story that ended in a fascinating manner as well. But that, we will discuss deeper in tomorrow’s recap of the show, and for now, we need to talk about quite the gift from AMC.
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For shortly after season two wrapped, AMC dropped a magnificent sneak peek/first look at season three of show, alongside some amazing details regarding what season three is going to focus upon, and well… since you’ve got Caryl on the brain, now is the perfect time to share those goodies with you. As we begin the countdown to the next chapter of this incredible journey through Europe, with two absolute fan favorites from a series that we deeply love and adore.

‘AMC Networks debuted a teaser for season three of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon during the finale of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon - The Book of Carol on Sunday evening, November 3. Starring Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride as the beloved characters “Daryl Dixon” and “Carol Peletier,” the new season is set to premiere in 2025 on AMC and AMC+. Production of season three is currently underway in Madrid with extensive location shooting in the Galicia, Aragón, Catalonia and Valencia regions, each providing a new and unique backdrop for the post-apocalyptic world.
 
Season three will follow Daryl Dixon and Carol Peletier as they continue their journey to somehow return home and to the ones they love.  As they struggle to find their way back, the path takes them farther astray, leading them through distant lands with ever-changing and unfamiliar conditions as they witness the various effects of the Walker apocalypse.
 
In addition to Reedus and McBride, Eduardo Noriega, Óscar Jaenada and Alexandra Masangkay join as series regulars in season three. Additional cast includes Candela Saitta, Hugo Arbués, Greta Fernández, Gonzalo Bouza, Hada Nieto, Yassmine Othman, Cuco Usín and Stephen Merchant, amongst others.
 
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season three is executive produced by Scott M. Gimple, Showrunner David Zabel, Reedus, McBride, Greg Nicotero, Brian Bockrath, Angela Kang, Jason Richman, Dan Percival and Steve Squillante along with Silvia Aráez and Jesús de la Vega from Ánima Stillking.’