As The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon gears up for its third season, viewers can expect a distinct shift in atmosphere reminiscent of an iconic zombie horror franchise. The conclusion of season 2 saw Daryl, played by Norman Reedus, alongside Melissa McBride’s Carol, journeying through the Channel Tunnel, moving from France to England. This storyline suggests that season 3 will prominently feature England, marking a significant transition in the series’ locale.
This geographical shift not only broadens the narrative canvas but also represents a new frontier for The Walking Dead franchise. Since its inception in 2010, the series has largely remained within North America, apart from limited segments in Fear the Walking Dead and the previous seasons of Daryl Dixon set primarily in France. Season 2 hinted that the United Kingdom is faring relatively well in the post-apocalyptic landscape, largely due to quick and effective military interventions.
Daryl Dixon Season 3 Evokes 28 Days Later
The Walking Dead’s Parallels with 28 Days Later
With Daryl and Carol navigating the English landscape, Daryl Dixon’s third season is poised to draw significant inspiration from 28 Days Later. It’s intriguing to note that both media share striking similarities in their inception, with Cillian Murphy’s character, Jim, awakening in a hospital to a world transformed by a zombie outbreak, a premise echoed in the introduction of Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead.
While these narratives commence in a similar manner, they diverge dramatically in tone and setting. 28 Days Later features locales like infamous London landmarks and stretches of English motorways, contrasts sharply with The Walking Dead’s typically American environments, dominated by dense forests and small towns.
Interestingly, Robert Kirkman, the creator of The Walking Dead, emphasizes that any similarities were coincidental, having penned the initial comic before he viewed Danny Boyle’s film (EW).
Nonetheless, the move into England in season 3 will naturally evoke parallels to 28 Days Later, introducing countryside landscapes and the potential of encountering classic London visuals, thus enhancing the narrative’s aesthetic. The recently released trailer showcases Daryl and Carol near a prominent red London bus, further solidifying this connection.
This exciting journey to locations steeped in cinematic history—the same setting that brought some of the most memorable scenes in 28 Days Later—poses a unique challenge for the Daryl Dixon series, forcing it to navigate the intricate comparisons to its predecessor.
Daryl Dixon Season 3 Faces Competition
28 Years Later: An Upcoming Contender
Another layer of complexity arises as comparisons between the two franchises remain nuanced, in part due to 28 Days Later‘s absence from the cinematic landscape since the last installment, 28 Weeks Later, released in 2007. This timeline allowed The Walking Dead to rise as the dominant force in modern zombie storytelling.
However, with the impending release of 28 Years Later in June 2025, The Walking Dead franchises will find themselves sharing a similar timeframe. If Daryl Dixon returns in its customary September time slot, the two series will be juxtaposed in competition. This scenario marks a pivotal moment when The Walking Dead will confront the very horror franchise that inspired it.
Remarkably, both franchises might race through the dystopian streets of London around the same time. Actors Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Jodie Comer are set to star in 28 Years Later, while Daryl and Carol’s adventures unfurl shortly thereafter.
Moreover, although often classified under the zombie genre, 28 Days Later presents a unique twist: its infected individuals are driven by rage rather than the classic reanimation trend. This distinction sets the stage for a competitive narrative landscape.
If both franchises operate within the same thematic space, 28 Years Later, rooted in its British origins, might convey a more authentic representation of the London zombie experience. Meanwhile, the similar timelines could complicate The Walking Dead’s narrative initiatives.
Daryl Dixon Season 3’s Transition to Spain
Daryl’s Journey: A Shift South
Ultimately, the silver lining for Daryl Dixon lies in its transient venture to England. While the season will indeed involve a journey through the UK, Daryl and Carol’s ultimate goal is to proceed south to Spain, where the main events of season 3 will unfold. This brief stopover not only reinforces the narrative connection but also allows the series to circumvent direct competition with 28 Years Later.
By keeping the storyline in England short, Daryl Dixon can focus on developing its unique Spanish plot without fully confronting the established storyline that 28 Years Later seeks to revive.
Had Daryl Dixon fully transitioned from France to the UK, the risk of becoming a derivative imitation may have loomed large, especially with the forthcoming trilogy of the 28 Years Later franchise on the horizon. Such a shift could have muddied the waters for The Walking Dead, especially as both series navigates similar themes in the UK.
Conversely, the relocation to Spain creates an advantageous dichotomy. Season 3 of Daryl Dixon will explore novel sights previously uncharted in the franchise, thus allowing it to pursue its narrative without overshadowing too closely the return of the British zombie saga. However, even with this shift, the intriguing exploration of the UK’s post-apocalyptic landscape will provide fresh perspectives after season 2’s assertions about the country’s purported resilience against the outbreak.
Sources: EW
Related Articles:
Top 10 Walking Dead Characters Featured in the Most Episodes Across All Spinoffs
16:15
Daryl Dixon: My Journey from Believing It Was The Best The Walking Dead Spinoff to a Change of Heart in Season 2
17:18
Ranking the 25 Most Powerful Characters in The Walking Dead by Fighting Skills
12:15
Leave a Reply