Every ‘Walking Dead’ Series Listed in Order of Premiere
The post-apocalyptic universe created by Robert Kirkman has grown from a single flagship program into a vast television franchise that includes multiple spinoffs and limited series. For viewers looking to immerse themselves in this expansive universe, following the production sequence of the official television releases is essential.
This overview presents each series in the order of its original premiere date, along with its overall production timeline. Each entry highlights the core premise and broadcast history of every series produced within the franchise.
‘The Walking Dead’ (2010–2022)

‘The Walking Dead‘ follows survivor Rick Grimes as he awakens from a coma in a world overrun by flesh-eating zombies. Spanning eleven seasons, the central storyline depicts the struggles of human survivors forming communities while facing social collapse and deadly factions. Frank Darabont developed the initial season for AMC, with Glen Mazzara, Scott M Gimple, and Angela Kang serving as showrunners thereafter. The main series concluded its run in November 2022 after airing a total of two hundred and fifty-four episodes, laying the groundwork for all subsequent television developments set in the same fictional universe.
‘Fear the Walking Dead’ (2015–2023)

‘Fear the Walking Dead’ premiered in August 2015 as the franchise’s first official companion series. The narrative initially explores the onset of the zombie apocalypse through the eyes of a blended family in Los Angeles. Dave Erickson led the production for the first three seasons before Andrew Chambliss and Ian B Goldberg took over as showrunners. The show ran for eight seasons, concluding its broadcast in November 2023 after one hundred and thirteen episodes. Characters from the original series later crossed over into this storyline, connecting the narratives.
‘The Walking Dead: World Beyond’ (2020–2021)

‘World Beyond’ focuses on the first generation of young people growing up ten years into the undead outbreak. Matthew Negrete served as the showrunner for this limited drama series, which premiered in October 2020. The plot follows a group of teenagers leaving their secure community in Nebraska on a perilous cross-country mission. Their journey reveals significant background information about the secretive Civic Republic Military organization. Designed as a two-season event, the program concluded in December 2021 after twenty episodes.
‘Tales of the Walking Dead’ (2022)

‘Tales of the Walking Dead’ debuted in August 2022 as an episodic anthology expansion of the franchise. Showrunner Channing Powell oversaw the six-episode season, featuring standalone stories set in various locations and time periods. Each episode focuses on new characters as well as familiar faces from previous installments. The narrative formats range from comedy and psychological horror to supernatural character studies. The season wrapped up its initial broadcast in September 2022.
‘The Walking Dead: Dead City’ (2023–2026)

‘Dead City’ follows the unlikely alliance between long-time survivors Maggie Rhee and Negan Smith. Created by Eli Jorne, this spinoff series centers on a dangerous journey through a post-apocalyptic Manhattan, isolated from the mainland. The duo must navigate decaying skyscraper ruins and hostile urban factions to rescue Maggie’s kidnapped son, Hershel. The first season premiered in June 2023, with plans for subsequent seasons, including Seth Hoffman taking over as showrunner for season three. The production showcases a densely populated urban setting, contrasting sharply with the rural landscapes of earlier shows.
‘The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon’ (2023–2027)

‘Daryl Dixon’ centers on fan-favorite survivor Daryl Dixon, who washes ashore in France with no memory of how he got there. David Zabel serves as the showrunner as Daryl journeys across a fractured European continent in search of a way back home. Along his trek, Daryl agrees to protect a young boy whom local religious groups believe holds the key to humanity’s salvation. The show debuted in September 2023 and features international locations alongside unique variant walker threats. Carol Peletier joins the story in later seasons as she searches for her missing companion.
‘The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live’ (2024)

‘The Ones Who Live’ reunites core characters Rick Grimes and Michonne after years of separation in the post-apocalyptic world. Scott M Gimple served as showrunner alongside stars Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira, who co-created this limited series. The six-episode narrative resolves long-standing questions about Rick’s abduction by the Civic Republic Military. The broadcast ran from February 2024 to March 2024, providing a definitive conclusion to one of the most prominent storylines across the entire franchise.
Share your favorite series and character moments from across the franchise in the comments.
