With the vast number of characters in The Walking Dead franchise, returns are fairly common, but I’m starting to get worried that one iconic survivor may be gone for good. The franchise has proven that almost anyone can come back so long as they’re not killed off, as despite Rick spending a long time captured by the CRM, he finally returned in 2024’s The Ones Who Live. The protagonist’s departure in 2018 looked like it would be the end of his journey in the post-apocalyptic universe, but his spinoff proved otherwise and opened the door for more shocks.

Despite this, I still have my reservations about one character crossing paths with the main characters. While The Walking Dead season 11’s ending wrapped up the main story and gave many characters a satisfying conclusion, one survivor wasn’t present for the show’s big finale. Instead, they had their own arc going on in one of the franchise’s many spinoffs, but their exit teased a reunion with The Walking Dead‘s central protagonist. Unfortunately, the current landscape of the zombie universe makes me doubtful about one pivotal character’s return, as there is very little indicating a cameo is on the horizon.

The Walking Dead’s Current Spinoff Plans Suggest Morgan’s Return Won’t Happen Anytime Soon

Morgan’s Return Doesn’t Fit Into The Walking Dead’s Current Schedule

Although Morgan’s return isn’t completely out of the question, the franchise’s current spinoff plans make it difficult. After completing his Fear The Walking Dead journey, Morgan set off to look for Rick, but neither of the ongoing spinoffs leave much room for him to appear. Morgan showing up in Daryl Dixon seasons 2 or 3 makes little sense, given he would have no reason to suspect Rick is in Europe. Even if he caught wind that the protagonist was missing, it would be a stretch to assume he went abroad, making a Daryl Dixon appearance incredibly unlikely.

A cameo in Dead City would also feel out of place for Morgan, as he didn’t have a particularly close relationship with Maggie, and he never even met Negan.

The show will continue to take place in France for season 2 before going to Spain in season 3, which indicates Morgan won’t show up. While there were some theories that Carol’s “he came back” line in Daryl Dixon was referencing Morgan, Rick’s return essentially puts this rumor to bed. In addition, a cameo in Dead City would also feel out of place for Morgan, as he didn’t have a particularly close relationship with Maggie, and he never even met Negan. The spinoff is also set years in the future, which would make his journey to find Rick unnecessarily long.

An appearance in The Ones Who Live did seem like it could be on the cards, as Morgan returning in Rick’s Walking Dead spinoff would have made a lot of sense, but this unfortunately didn’t happen. Despite The Ones Who Live teasing Morgan through a few Easter Eggs, the show never pulled the trigger, making me skeptical about whether he’ll ever return. While I’d love to see the character back in the show, the franchise hasn’t created much opportunity for Lennie James to reprise his role, and I’m worried he may never be back.

Why Morgan Needs To Return In The Walking Dead

Morgan’s Fear The Walking Dead Journey Will Feel Wasted If He Doesn’t Reunite With Rick

Morgan has seemingly had more Walking Dead returns than any other character, but he needs to reunite with the main group one last time. His transition to Fear The Walking Dead did wonders for his character, as he had some fantastic development and exited the show a changed man. However, his journey is still incomplete as he left to find Rick, and the franchise finishing before he does so would be a waste of his spinoff arc. Therefore, failing to give Morgan one final appearance with the main survivors would be disappointing, and I hope it happens eventually.

Lennie James’ last appearance in The Walking Dead came in season 8’s finale, “Wrath”, before joining Fear The Walking Dead .

Given he was the very first person Rick met during the outbreak, having the two reunite would help conclude Morgan’s journey while allowing it to come full circle. Both characters started out as completely different men, but despite all the loss they’ve suffered, they created new families and found happiness, meaning a reunion would be a fitting end to their Walking Dead stories. Morgan wasn’t always given the best arcs, but he is still one of my favorite characters and has played a crucial part in the franchise’s history, meaning he deserves a true ending whenever the time is right.