After last week’s news that Carol (Melissa McBride) would not be a part of the upcoming Carol and Daryl spin-off series, the internet went a little crazy. The Walking Dead fans are certainly passionate about their favorite characters, but none have been as iconic as both Carol and Daryl, who are the only characters to survive since the early days of Season 1.
But when things got ugly, Negan star Jeffrey Dean Morgan took to Twitter to let fans know that they’re getting out of control.
“What?? Cmon? Nobody more gutted at Melissa’s decision than norman,” Morgan said on Twitter, addressing the unfound rumors that Norman Reedus (Daryl Dixon) was the reason for McBride’s departure. “Rumors aren’t from crew. They’re from some asshat who’s never seen a set before. I was there. It was hard on both of them because they do love each other. Y’all make assumptions that are really hurtful. Stop it.”
Some of you have gone WAY too far. TOXIC. Attacking norm for crap he has NOTHING to do with? Melissa made a call that was hers alone. She wants/needs a break. Respect that. Factors involved that are nobody’s business. Norm, who’s given more than anyone to you all. Just SHITTY.
— Jeffrey Dean Morgan (@JDMorgan) April 29, 2022
“Some of you have gone WAY too far,” he continued. “TOXIC. Attacking norm for crap he has NOTHING to do with? Melissa made a call that was hers alone. She wants/needs a break. Respect that. Factors involved that are nobody’s business. Norm, who’s given more than anyone to you all. Just SHITTY.”
The rumors got so out-of-hand that AMC itself had to step in and address the situation. “We would like to acknowledge the response to this week’s news related to the previously announced Daryl and Carol TWD spinoff. Norman Reedus is being unfairly targeted and attacked in social media for a decision he had no part in.”
A statement from AMC and TWD:
We would like to acknowledge the response to this week’s news related to the previously announced Daryl and Carol TWD spinoff. Norman Reedus is being unfairly targeted and attacked in social media for a decision he had no part in. (1/3)
— AMC-TV (@AMC_TV) April 29, 2022
The network went on to explain that McBride’s reason for not participating in the upcoming spin-off is purely her own and personal. She felt that relocating to Europe for the filming would simply not work for her. And that’s it.
What’s funny to me through all of this is how these fans don’t understand that this is such a Carol move anyway. If she doesn’t want to do something, she doesn’t do it. If she wants to go off and do her own thing, she does it.
But perhaps the most exciting new development from this exchange was the hint that McBride’s beloved character would be included in further iterations of the TWD universe.
“Carol is a beloved & vital character and we are working to find a way for fans to again follow her story, as only Melissa could give life to, in the expanding universe around The Walking Dead. The fans have always been the driving force behind #TWDFamily and always will be.”
Here’s to hoping that we see much more of Carol in upcoming spin-offs and that Negan doesn’t have to take Lucille out of retirement on some unruly fans. Although, I’d probably watch that spin-off.
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