Lauren Cohan & Jeffrey Dean Morgan to Star in New ‘The Walking Dead’ Universe Series ‘Isle of the Dead’

Written by John Edward Betancourt

As we shuffle toward to the end of the iconic AMC series, The Walking Dead, it is definitely safe to say that fans are a little surprised that we haven’t heard about more spinoffs heading our way. For TWD is a pop culture phenomenon, so one would think that the network would let loose and green light a herd’s worth of shows based off of the flagship. But the fact of the matter is, AMC and TWD Chief Content Officer Scott Gimple, want to make sure the right projects are being approved for this universe and that we aren’t overwhelmed with announcements, so we can properly process the gravity of them when they arrive, and that strategy paid off in spades today.
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For earlier, AMC announced the next spin-off in The Walking Dead Universe, and it is… a doozy. For the forthcoming Isle of the Dead will feature Maggie and Negan as they traverse the island of Manhattan and well… that is an announcement that is about as epic as it gets and proves that patience pays off when it comes to what AMC and Mister Gimple have planned for this franchise. Because that’s a spin-off filled with as much promise and potential as the other ones that it will join on the airwaves and well, here are all the details regarding the latest chapter in the TWD Universe… courtesy of AMC.

‘AMC Networks today announced that it has greenlit a new series set in The Walking Dead Universe, starring Lauren Cohan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan.  Isle of the Dead envisions the popular Maggie and Negan characters traveling into a post-apocalyptic Manhattan long ago cut off from the mainland.  The crumbling city is filled with the dead and denizens who have made New York City their own world full of anarchy, danger, beauty, and terror.  Set to premiere on AMC+ and AMC in 2023, the first season will consist of six episodes.  Eli Jorné, who has been a writer and co-executive producer on The Walking Dead for multiple seasons and has an overall deal with AMC Studios, will serve as showrunner and executive producer on the series, which is overseen by Scott M. Gimple, chief content officer of The Walking Dead Universe.  Cohan and Morgan will also serve as executive producers.
 
“This is a very big day for the expanding universe we are building around The Walking Dead,” said Dan McDermott, president of entertainment and AMC Studios for AMC Networks. “It not only adds another compelling series to this collection, it extends our storytelling around two unforgettable characters fans have grown to love, hate or hate and then love in Maggie and Negan, brilliantly inhabited by Lauren and Jeffrey.  It also lets us explore a corner of this universe located on the island of Manhattan, with an iconic skyline that takes on a very different meaning when viewed through the lens of a zombie apocalypse.”
 
“Eli has created a chaotic, beautiful, grimy madhouse of the dead for Negan, Maggie, and fans of the show eager to discover an unseen and insane world of the TWD Universe,” said Gimple. “Lauren and Jeffrey have always been fantastic collaborators and now, we bring that collaboration to the next level with a series that will take these characters to their limits with the world -- and each other.  All of us are thrilled to take you on an all new, all different TWD epic for the ages.” 
 
Said Cohan:  “I’m thrilled to partner with Dan McDermott and the team at AMC on the next chapter in The Walking Dead Universe.  Maggie is very close to my heart and I’m excited to continue her journey against the iconic backdrop of New York City, alongside my friend and collaborator, Jeffrey Dean Morgan.  Eli Jorné has created something incredibly special and I cannot wait for the fans to see what we have in store for Maggie and Negan.”
 
Said Morgan: “I’m delighted that Negan and Maggie’s journey continues.  It’s been such a ride walking in Negan’s shoes, I’m beyond excited to continue his journey in New York City with Lauren.  Walkers in an urban setting has always been such a cool image, but 5th Avenue, Empire State Building, Statue of Liberty?  The greatest city in the world??  The backdrop is amazing, but it’s the story that Eli Jorné cooked up that is even better.  Buckle up folks, Isle of the Dead is going to reinvent the TWD Universe.  Huge thank you to Dan McDermott, Scott Gimple and AMC for having us back for more… we simply can’t wait.”
 
Cohan is represented by CAA, John Carrabino Management, Hansen, Jacobson, Teller and 42West.  Morgan is represented by UTA, attorney Stuart Rosenthal of Goodman, Genow, Schenkman, Smelkinson & Christopher and Viewpoint.
 
The Walking Dead and other series in The Walking Dead Universe continue to be top titles on the AMC+ streaming service, both in terms of usage and new subscriber acquisitions.  New episodes for The Walking Dead Season 11 Part 2 are currently available on Sundays on AMC+, one week early ahead of their linear premiere.  In addition to the final season of The Walking Dead, AMC+ customers will have access to a remarkable lineup of original programming this year, including final seasons of the critically acclaimed series Killing Eve and Better Call Saul, returning originals like Kevin Can F**K Himself, Fear the Walking Dead and Gangs of London and a wide array of new series including the gritty courtroom drama 61st Street, Dark Winds, Tales of the Walking Dead, Moonhaven, That Dirty Black Bag and the first two series in an Anne Rice universe, Anne Rice’s Interview with the Vampire and Anne Rice’s Mayfair Witches.’

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Lauren Cohan (Photo Courtesy of Sam Jones)

Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Photo Courtesy of AMC Networks)