AMC recently held a press-invited conference for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol, following a panel discussion at San Diego Comic Con.
The event featured key cast and crew members, including Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, and director Greg Nicotero, who shared insights into the highly anticipated second season of the series.
Read our review of episode one here.
During the conference, Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride discussed how they brought a variety of acting styles to the upcoming season. McBride spoke about the evolving dynamics and connections between the characters, while Reedus emphasized the unique emotional depth and character development explored in the new episodes.
Norman Reedus reflected on the new season of Daryl Dixon: The Book of Carol, noting that the story and relationships are different this time around and that everything has changed. He highlighted that the series has brought out a wider range of emotions, with characters displaying a depth of emotion, including crying, in ways viewers might not have seen before.
“The show feels different from other projects I’ve been part of. It’s massive, and being involved can sometimes feel like getting swept up in a whirlwind. But it’s also unique in how it builds relationships and connections. It reminds me of my early days in the industry, working on independent films, which I really miss,” said Reedus, adding that the show allows for exploration of different worlds and aspects of characters that they never had a chance to delve into before, due to the large cast of characters.
Melissa McBride expressed her excitement for the upcoming season of Daryl Dixon: The Book of Carol, particularly highlighting her scenes with Norman Reedus.
“One of my favorite aspects of working on this show is the connection between the characters. The landscape of friendships we portray is beautiful. It’s like unwrapping a gift, revealing new layers. I’ve experienced new depths in acting and character development that I hadn’t seen before, and it’s very special, especially when compared to previous seasons,” said McBride.
Greg Nicotero, who directed the first episode of Season 2 of Daryl Dixon: The Book of Carol, spoke about a particular scene with Melissa McBride and Ash in the premiere. He said, “There’s a moment in that scene that caught me by surprise, even though I had read the script. While filming, it became clear that it offered a fresh perspective on Carol’s character. Just one statement from her changes how you see her, which I really appreciate. The same goes for Daryl; there are surprises that reveal new layers to his character. As we develop these characters further, despite the challenges, I assure you the journey will be worth it.”