It is not unfair to say that the news of Melissa McBride’s departure from The Walking Dead Daryl/Carol spin-off series led to a big reaction from fans of the show, with many taking out their disappointment on actor Norman Reedus, who will continue on alone in the spin-off series. Despite it being explained that McBride’s exit from the project was down to the location filming in Europe and nothing more, that didn’t stop a number of comments being made suggesting that Reedus had forced McBride out to get the show all to himself. Someone who had a big opinion about that is Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who plays Negan in the show and one of the coming spin-offs.
MOVIEWEB VIDEO OF THE DAY
Earlier this week, AMC released a statement saying, “Unfortunately, she [Melissa] is no longer able to participate in the previously announced spin-off focused on the Daryl Dixon and Carol Peletier characters, which will be set and filmed in Europe this summer and premiere next year. Relocating to Europe became logistically untenable for Melissa at this time. We know fans will be disappointed by this news, but The Walking Dead Universe continues to grow and expand in interesting ways and we very much hope to see Carol again in the near future.”
When social media began to see some bad comments being made towards Reedus in the believed that he was somehow responsible for McBride’s exit, Morgan posted on his Twitter account, saying, “Some of you have gone WAY too far. TOXIC. Attacking Norm for crap he has NOTHING to do with? Melissa made a call that was hers alone. She wants/needs a break. Respect that. Factors involved that are nobody’s business. Norm, who’s given more than anyone to you all. Just SH*TTY.”
Even after that statement, some were just not willing to let the issue go, with one fan responding to Morgan’s tweet suggesting that Reedus had perhaps demanded the show be filmed in Europe, meaning he was still responsible for the loss of McBride from the show. Morgan once again responded to kill that theory. He wrote, “Norman had nothing to do with picking location. That decision is all about story, ideas… MONEY. That’s studio/network. Not actors. We can say yes and do, or no, and not do… MAYBE. SOMETIMES. If we’re lucky and don’t have contract yet. Rarely does actor have that power."
AMC and The Walking Dead Officially Addressed Fans’ “Inappropriate” Attacks on Reedus
As well as Morgan addressing the situation, AMC and The Walking Dead also made an official statement to address the fans’ reaction to the news of McBride’s departure from the series, and in particular, the way Reedus was being “unfairly targeted” for a decision “he had no part in.” Their statement read:
The Walking Dead comes to a conclusion this fall with the final part of its 11th season, however, the show will continue on through a number of spin-offs including the already established Fear The Walking Dead, this summer’s Tales of the Walking Dead, a Negan/Maggie series entitled Isle of the Dead, and the now solo Daryl project.
“We would like to acknowledge the response to this week’s news related to the previously announced Daryl and Carol TWD spinoff. Norman Reedus is being unfairly targeted and attacked in social media for a decision he had no part in. Melissa McBride decided she could not participate in the series because relocating to Europe became logistically untenable for her. It is inappropriate to direct negativity and anger at another cast member for a disappointing outcome he had nothing to do with. Carol is a beloved & vital character and we are working to find a way for fans to again follow her story, as only Melissa could give life to, in the expanding universe around The Walking Dead. The fans have always been the driving force behind #TWDFamily and always will be.”
