The Walking Dead season 8

Rick unites communities in war against Negan and the Saviors.

The eighth season of The Walking Dead, an American post-apocalyptic horror television series on AMC, aired from October 22, 2017, to April 15, 2018, and consists of 16 episodes. It adapts material from issues #115–126 of the comic book series and continues the story of Rick Grimes leading a rebellion against Negan and the Saviors. The season received mixed reviews from critics and won two awards at the 44th Saturn Awards, including Best Horror Television Series for the third consecutive year.

Quick Facts

Season number: 8
Showrunner: Scott M. Gimple
Network: AMC
First aired: 22 October 2017
Last aired: 15 April 2018
Episodes: 16

Facts from the source article.

Cast

The eighth season of the show has twenty main cast members. Katelyn Nacon, Khary Payton, Steven Ogg, and Pollyanna McIntosh became series regulars after being recurring characters, and Seth Gilliam and Ross Marquand were added to the opening credits. Andrew Lincoln is Rick Grimes, the main character, a former sheriff’s deputy and Alexandria’s leader who heads a new alliance against Negan and the Saviors. Norman Reedus is Daryl Dixon, Rick’s closest ally and the group’s main hunter.

Lauren Cohan plays Maggie Greene, Glenn’s pregnant widow and a key figure at the Hilltop. Chandler Riggs is Carl Grimes, Rick’s brave teenage son. Danai Gurira is Michonne, Rick’s girlfriend who wields a katana and acts as a mother to Carl and Judith. Melissa McBride plays Carol Peletier, a tough survivor driven to fight the Saviors after her friends’ deaths.

Lennie James is Morgan Jones, the first survivor Rick met, now living in the Kingdom and struggling with his sanity. Alanna Masterson plays Tara Chambler, a caring supply runner for Alexandria who connects with Oceanside. Josh McDermitt is Eugene Porter, a nervous former group member whose skills make Negan take him in. Christian Serratos plays Rosita Espinosa, an impulsive character seeking revenge for her ex-boyfriend Spencer and Abraham.

Seth Gilliam is Gabriel Stokes, a priest hardened by his time with Rick’s group. Ross Marquand plays Aaron, an Alexandrian recruiter who brought Rick’s group there and now fights the Saviors. Jeffrey Dean Morgan is Negan, the main villain and leader of the Saviors. Austin Amelio plays Dwight, a former Savior now working as a double agent for Rick.

Tom Payne is Paul “Jesus” Rovia, a Hilltop scout who seeks moral balance. Xander Berkeley plays Gregory, the selfish, hypocritical Hilltop leader whose influence fades as Maggie rises. Khary Payton is Ezekiel, the charismatic Kingdom leader allied with Rick. Steven Ogg plays Simon, Negan’s second-in-command who openly plans to take over.

Production

AMC ordered a 16-episode eighth season of The Walking Dead on October 16, 2016. Filming started in Atlanta, Georgia on April 25, 2017, but was halted on July 12 after stuntman John Bernecker died from a fall of more than 20 feet onto concrete. Work resumed on July 17. The season opener, also the show’s 100th episode, was helmed by executive producer Greg Nicotero.

Lennie James, who plays Morgan Jones, was confirmed in November 2017 to leave the series after this season and move to the spin-off Fear the Walking Dead for its fourth season. Three other regulars also left: Chandler Riggs (Carl Grimes), Steven Ogg (Simon), and Austin Amelio (Dwight). Riggs’ character dies in the mid-season premiere, a change from the comic where Carl survives, and the move drew criticism. Ogg’s character is killed by Negan in the penultimate episode. Amelio exited after the season finale and later joined Fear the Walking Dead in January 2019.

Release

The season's first trailer debuted at San Diego Comic-Con on July 21, 2017, followed by a second trailer for the back half of the season on February 1, 2018. On March 15, 2018, AMC announced that the season finale and the Fear the Walking Dead season four premiere would screen together in AMC, Regal, and Cinemark theaters nationwide on April 15, coinciding with their television broadcast. This event, called "Survival Sunday: The Walking Dead & Fear the Walking Dead," marked the first crossover between the two shows. The theatrical screenings also featured an additional thirty minutes of exclusive bonus content.

Reception

Critics were divided on the eighth season of The Walking Dead. It earned a 65% score on Rotten Tomatoes from 447 reviews, averaging 6.65 out of 10. The consensus noted the season gave characters a needed boost of angst and action but still felt uneven and short on plot momentum. At the 44th Saturn Awards, the season picked up seven nominations and two wins: Best Horror Television Series and Best Performance by a Younger Actor for Chandler Riggs. The first half also received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination for Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble.