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AMC's The Walking Dead: Dead City recently joined Netflix and quickly chewed up the charted competition to become one of the most popular TV shows on the platform. With an increased appetite to see more of Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) navigating The Big Apple, the anticipated Season 2 coming May 4 presents a bigger plate by increasing the episodes from six to eight.

While Season 2 plot details have been held under lock and key, fans can expect more zombie-filled carnage flooding Manhattan as Maggie and Negan console her son Hershel (Logan Kim). The hyperviolent spinoff may feel to some like it's in the Jason Takes Manhattan phase of the long-running horror franchise, a cheap sequel capitalizing on its past success. However, the compelling performances, brutal action, and fresh change of scenery make Dead City a must-stop destination this May.

'The Walking Dead: Dead City' Follows Maggie and Negan in New York

Eli Jorné created Dead City for AMC, the fifth chronological TV series in The Walking Dead franchise. Like the putrid, flesh-eating walkers on the show, the franchise will not die and continues to sprout undead appendages in nearly every new TV season. Despite risking audience fatigue, Dead City stands out for transferring the zombie action from the rural countryside to a densely populated metropolis, where New York teems with bloodthirsty ghouls who've adopted the city that never sleeps as their own.

The story follows franchise mainstays Maggie Rhee (Cohan) and Negan Smith (Morgan) as they venture into a Manhattan overrun with walkers. The primary conflict for the pair is finding Hershel (Kim), Maggie's abducted son, who has been taken somewhere in New York, a moldering city that is not only filled with zombies but one that Maggie and Negan are unfamiliar with.

Maggie organizes a survival group called The Bricks, inviting other outsiders from Virginia who've moved to Manhattan for refuge. Other societal groups include the New Babylonian Federation, a collection of underground survivor groups led by the appointed Marshal, Perlie Armstrong (Gaius Charles), determined to bring Negan down. Another includes the "Burazi" (Brothers), a hyperviolent gang of survivors led by The Croat (Željko Ivanek), the man who kidnapped Hershel.

Where We Left Maggie and Negan in 'The Walking Dead: Dead City'

The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 1 ran for six episodes between June and July 2023. Beyond those mentioned, a young woman named Ginny (Mahina Napoleon) thickens the plot. Ginny is a traumatized young girl under Negan's care who chooses not to speak following the brutal death of her father. As the season progresses, Ginny learns that Negan killed her father and is wanted for the murder.

Meanwhile, Maggie has never forgiven Negan for killing Glenn (Steven Yeun), despite Negan's reformation. In Manhattan, the two get sick of each other and drift apart, with Maggie focusing on Hershel and Negan on Ginny. These storylines converge in the Season 1 finale, "Doma Smo," as Maggie and Negan confront each other. When Ginny is taken to the Bricks, Maggie and Negan find The Croat at the Staten Island Ferry. Negan thinks Maggie is setting him up and willingly invites her to turn him into The Croat in exchange for Hershel.

Negan's sacrifice angers Hershel, who claims Maggie is more infatuated with Negan than caring for him. Season 1 ends with The Croat's minion, The Dama (Lisa Emery), blackmailing Negan to unite all the New York communities and mobilize their attack on the New Babylonian Federation. The Dama also claims that Hershel's toe has been cut off, and the boy will continue to be harmed if Negan disagrees.

Where to Stream 'The Walking Dead: Dead City' and What To Expect From Season 2

Dead City Season 2 increases the blood-soaked drama from six episodes to eight, beginning on AMC on May 4, 2025. While overarching narrative details remain shrouded, details can be gleaned from the new casting announcements. For instance, Kim Coates will play Bruegel in Season 2, the leader of a Manhattan gang likely joining or rivaling Negan following his blackmailed mandate.

Additionally, Dascha Polanco has been cast to play Major Lucia Narvaez. Kier Gilchrist will play a character named Benjamin Pierce, Jack Weary will portray Christos, Pooya Mohensi will depict a woman named Roksana, Anthony Molinari will play Houseman, and Chris Silcox will depict Forager #1. Meanwhile, Emery graduates to series regular as The Dama, bound to do more of The Croat's evil bidding. Logan Kim will also become a series regular after guest-starring in Season 1.

Behind the camera, Lauren Cohan is set to direct her first episode in the TWD franchise in Dead City Season 2 after spending years as a star and executive producer. She will direct untitled episodes 4 and 6. Additional Season 2 directors include Michael E. Satrazemis (episodes 1-2, 7) and Edward Ornelas (episodes 3-5).

When The Walking Dead: Dead City returns to AMC on May 4, 2025, fans can expect Negan to comply or subvert The Dama's orders while continuing to help Maggie care for Hershel. Ginny will figure prominently as The Bricks mobilizes other gangs to fight against Perlie and the New Babylonian Federation. Meanwhile, Manhattan will continue to host a fiendish horde of flesh-starved walkers to sate viewers' bloodlust. The Walking Dead: Dead City is streaming on Netflix and AMC+.

The Walking Dead: Dead City is available to stream on Netflix and AMC+