Composite image of Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon in The Walking Dead

Having been around since 2010, The Walking Dead has sparked a lot of speculation throughout its long tenure, and one of the franchise’s most unpopular rumors has finally been put to bed thanks to a Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 2 update. The zombie franchise has experienced plenty of ups and downs during its 14-year run, and it hasn’t always made the right decisions. Although it has had excellent storylines and engaging drama, The Walking Dead has wasted some of its best characters while it overused others, leading to uncertainty about what ideas the series may come up with next.

Even during its peak, audiences were still full of theories about what direction the show might explore, leading to plenty of speculation from the community. However, one of the franchise’s most controversial rumors has been floating around for well over a decade, and it looks to finally have been answered. With Daryl and Carol set to reunite in Daryl Dixon season 2, questions about the nature of their relationship have started to resurface. Thankfully, the spinoff’s showrunner has weighed in on the conversation and shut down one of The Walking Dead‘s least-desired storylines, which is a huge relief.

Daryl Dixon’s Showrunner Is Against Making Daryl & Carol’s Relationship A Romance

David Zabel Shut Down The Possibility Of A Daryl & Carol Romance

Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon and Melissa McBride as Carol in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon

Daryl and Carol have been part of The Walking Dead since its first season, but despite their chemistry and close relationship, David Zabel confirmed he was against the idea of a romance. In an interview with Games Radar, Daryl Dixon‘s showrunner shut down Carol and Daryl’s possible romance, claiming “The obvious thing to do, and the easier thing to do would be, ‘Okay, now they’re falling in love and they’re a couple.’ But I always felt like that would be a mistake.” Zabel’s comments are significant for both characters’ future and suggest the two won’t end up settling down together.

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon has officially been renewed for season 3.

Although Daryl’s love stories in The Walking Dead have been confusing, both he and Carol have had previous romantic connections while maintaining their own solid relationship. Given the franchise has made their friendship work without throwing in a romance angle, it’s a relief to see Zabel double down on this. Daryl’s relationship with Isabelle feels like a far more natural choice to explore deeper, while Carol previously married Ezekiel, which feels like an unfinished story. Therefore, the showrunner confirming that a romance story isn’t on the cards for the two long-term friends is an extremely reassuring update for season 2.

Why The Walking Dead Should Never Make Daryl & Carol A Romantic Couple

The Duo’s Relationship Has Been One Of The Most Compelling In The Walking Dead Without A Romantic Connection

Melissa McBride as Carol and Norman Reedus as Daryl hiding behind a train car on The Walking Dead season 11

After having one of the best relationships in the franchise for 14 years, there is no reason to make the iconic duo a couple. Daryl and Carol’s friendship has helped define The Walking Dead, as their genuine care for one another stems from what they’ve been through together. Daryl was there to comfort Carol after she lost her daughter at the beginning of the apocalypse, and everything that has happened since has been strictly platonic. The characters clearly love each other, but delving into a more romantic storyline would feel out of character and could damage their connection.

The fact that Carol is heading all the way to France just to find Daryl highlights just how important they are to each other.

Love stories in The Walking Dead have a tendency to get a little messy and sometimes over-dramatic, which Daryl and Carol’s relationship doesn’t need. They’ve had their fair share of arguments and fights, but the fact that Carol is heading all the way to France just to find Daryl highlights just how important they are to each other. Despite how many great characters have been on the show, the duo have one of the best relationships in the entire franchise, and avoiding a romance in Daryl Dixon season 2 is the best way to continue their compelling dynamic.