Eli Jorné, Showrunner For 'The Walking Dead: Dead City', Reveals Inspiration For Maggie And Negan's Working Relationship

TV & Film

May 24

The Walking Dead has had several spin-offs from the main storyline announced and developed. One of the latest, Dead City, is set several years after the original series. It focuses on two fan-favorite characters Negan Smith and Maggie Rhee, as they embark on a rescue mission to Manhattan, which has been cut off from the world. In an interview with SFX Magazine, the showrunner for the series Eli Jorné explained the inspiration for the relationship between the main characters, and the answer may intrigue true crime fans.

Inspiration was drawn from the unspecified true story of a woman who bonded through correspondence with her son’s murderer. The showrunner explained (via CBR), "Over time, they formed this relationship, and for her, that relationship with her son’s murderer became the only path out.” In a more general description of the situation, he continued, “For these people, each other is the only person who -- in the whole world -- is as connected to that event as they are. Whether they are conscious of it or not, on some level they know that the other person is the only way out."

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If you’re unfamiliar with The Walking Dead or need a refresher on the subject matter, the relationship between Maggie and Negan is of particular interest. In an earlier season of the series, Negan killed Maggie’s husband Glenn to make a further example of the group, and to set up future plot and character arcs as the comics did. Negan eventually apologized after having a similar experience with his own wife, expressing genuine remorse in the apology. This doesn’t mean all is well, that there is no more tension or anything like that; rather, it’s the opposite, as trauma is still unresolved. Negan also walked the anti-hero/antagonist line until the end of the main series.

The Walking Dead: Dead City premiers on June 18, 2023. Previously known as Isle of the Dead, the spin-off was first announced in March 2022. This season will have six episodes in total and will be found on AMC and AMC+.

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