The Walking Dead has captivated audiences for over a decade with its interesting post-apocalyptic storylines and amazing acting from stars such as Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, and Jon Bernthal. The show has developed a massive and loyal fan following over the years.

However, every good thing must come to an end. For TWD, that is supposed to be after season 11, which is currently airing. The final season is to be aired in three parts, with the final eight episodes set to be released in the fall of 2022.

A portion of the fanbase, however, seems to have developed such an attachment with the show, they do not want it to end. And hence come the rumors of and reasonings for a potential season 12.

But is that just wishful thinking or an actual possibility?

Will ‘The Walking Dead’ Return?

The filming of the last episode of season 11 ended on March 30, with many stars from the show posting about the wrap on social media.

Reedus wrote, "That’s a wrap. 11 seasons 12 years. Never been so beat up and it was an absolute blast. Thank you to all of you that took this ride with us and what a ride it was," on Twitter, announcing the end of an era.

Many others have spoken about the end, calling it "bittersweet" and a difficult thing to say goodbye to.

The show's production company, AMC, announced season 11 as the final season on October 31, 2020. The announcement came as a surprise to a few of the cast members.

AMC's The Walking Dead finished filming its last episode on March 30, 2022.

AMC's 'The Walking Dead' finished filming its last episode on March 30, 2022. (Photo: The Walking Dead/Instagram)

Ross Marquand, while talking to Insider in February 2022, said he was talking to people about a season 12 just a while ago. He was still happy because the show was ending with eight extra episodes.

As far as the official word goes, there is going to be no season 12 of TWD. This is where it ends. But there are a few things that everyone has noticed about the show that keep the hopes for one more season alive.

Why People Think ‘The Walking Dead’ Could Return

One of the main reasons why TWD is ending is because the source material is ending.

The Walking Dead comic, created by Robert Kirkman, first started in 2003. It was the source material that inspired TWD the show, as well as other spin-offs like Fear the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: World Beyond.

The comic series ended in July 2019, meaning there's not much to base the show on.

However, the show has never strictly adhered to the source material. The show only loosely followed the storyline of the comic book, and there have been many things that the show added and deducted from the original material.

On r/thewalkingdead on Reddit, there's a thread where people discussed the possibility of a season 12 and beyond. The thread was first started on July 3, 2020, and while many comments are from that time, they are still relevant today.

A user speculated that people keep talking about the show's end to remind AMC to stretch TWD beyond season 11 or 12.

Another person speculated that even though season 11 could be the end of what he termed "the story arc," the show could go on without such arc. He even claimed the show's writers had expressed their plans to "go their own way after they reach the coming ending."

Further, he hoped the show would be renewed until season 13, just to see if the writing was any good with no original material to adhere to.

These, combined with Marquand's comments about discussions on a potential new season, might mean season 12 might not be out of the picture this soon.