‘The Walking Dead’ Season 9 Update: New Storylines, Time Jump, Returning Cast Members, And More

by Jessica Rapir / Apr 19, 2018 07:59 AM EDT

Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne (Danai Gurira) in The Walking Dead. New storylines are expected in Season 9. Photo by: The Walking Dead / Facebook

The All-Out War with Negan concluded in The Walking Dead Season 8 finale. This means viewers can expect a whole new world for the surviving characters in the upcoming season of the AMC post-apocalyptic drama.

Outgoing TWD showrunner Scott Gimple teased that Season 9 will be "a very, very different show" to what viewers had seen in the past. He said Rick's (Andrew Lincoln) group will attempt to build a new world hence there will be some changes in the series' storylines.

TWD comic book fans know that the next chapter after the All-Out War is called "A New Beginning" which suggests a new life for the group after the battle with Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). Additionally, there is a time jump after Rick's group defeated the Saviors in the All-Out War.

Gimple, however, refused to give specific details of Season 9. What he can assure is that the show will definitely evolve and some of the storylines left vague in Season 8 will be resolved in the upcoming season.

"The stakes are even higher because of what they're all trying to do, and how they come into conflict with big things ... It is just going to be a very, very different show," Gimple told Vulture.

Moreover, the conflict with the Saviors has ended, tension might arise between Rick and Maggie's (Lauren Cohan). It can be recalled that Maggie is not a fan of Rick's decision to let Negan live. In Season 8 finale, Rick slit Negan's throat, but he still saved the life of the series villain.

In Season 9, Gimple said Negan is not Maggie's priority in Season 9 but hinted that she will never forget what Rick did and she might deal with Negan by herself eventually. This suggests that Cohan could be coming back in Season 9. Earlier reports indicate that the actress' contract has ended and she is seeking for a salary bump. Apparently, she is looking for a pay that is closer to what Lincoln and Norman Reedus (Daryl Dixon) are earning. She has already rejected the initial salary increase offer from AMC.

"We're talking about that, and we will be telling peeps what's up with all that soon. But obviously, we're going to do something. Otherwise, that scene would be tricky business," Gimple told TVLine.

Who Else Are Coming Back in The Walking Dead Season 9?

Lincoln and Reedus have previously confirmed to reprise their respective roles in the ninth installment. The other stars that are expected to come back are Morgan, Danai Gurira (Michonne), Melissa McBride (Carol), Christian Serratos (Rosita), Alanna Masterson (Tara), Josh McDermitt (Eugene), Seth Gilliam (Gabriel), and Ross Marquand (Aaron).

Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs) won't be in the new installment after his character's death in the previous season. Lennie James's character Morgan has also moved to Fear The Walking Dead.

As for the production executives, the series' long-time writer and co-executive producer Angela Kang has been promoted to showrunner. Gimple is leaving the show to serve as Chief Content Officer that oversees the entire TWD/Fear the Walking Dead universe.

AMC has yet to announce an exact premiere date for The Walking Dead Season 9. It could be in fall, based on the previous seasons. Season 8 premiered on October 22, 2017.