After six years of doubt, a reunion between The Walking Dead‘s Rick Grimes and Daryl Dixon seems more likely than ever before, especially in the wake of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon‘s season 3 renewal announcement. During Friday’s San Diego Comic-Con panel focused on The Walking Dead‘s France-set spin-off, AMC released the full trailer for the show’s second outing, which is subtitled The Book of Carol. While the trailer left many viewers wondering how Carol gets to France in Daryl Dixon season 2, the new footage also prompted fans to wonder about other character reunions.

In fact, Daryl Dixon showrunner David Zabe even touched upon the idea of Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Daryl (Norman Reedus) reuniting onscreen either in the Daryl Dixon spin-off or another franchise project. The last time Daryl and Rick shared the screen was when Andrew Lincoln left The Walking Dead season 9. After 6 years apart, this dynamic duo more than deserves one last team-up before The Walking Dead‘s shows end altogether — even though they’re currently an ocean apart in their respective spin-off storylines.

Rick Grimes & Daryl Dixon’s Reunion Just Took A Big Step Forward

David Zabe Gave A Hopeful Answer About Rick & Daryl’s Futures In The Walking Dead

At a San Diego Comic-Con panel focused on The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 2, Screen Rant learned from showrunner David Zabe that a Rick Grimes and Daryl Dixon reunion isn’t off the table. When discussing the topic, Zabe said, “I think it’s safe to say… we hope that the characters will find ways to reconnect.” While the long-time Walking Dead multi-hyphenate kept his answer understandably vague, it sounds like the Daryl Dixon team is open to bringing back other characters. It’s hard to say if the Rick and Daryl reunion has been discussed explicitly though.

…it will take more than a few plot twists and turns to reunite these far-flung survivors.

For now, the biggest obstacle to an onscreen Rick Grimes and Daryl Dixon reunion boils down to the characters’ current locations. In The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live‘s ending, Rick and Michonne (Danai Gurira) reunite with their children, RJ and Judith. It’s implied that the couple will search out the rest of their long-time friends and fellow survivors after the credits roll. With The Walking Dead‘s characters spread out between the greater Atlanta area, France, and, in Dead City, New York, it will take more than a few plot twists and turns to reunite these far-flung survivors.

Why Rick & Daryl Need To Reunite Before The Walking Dead Franchise Ends

Rick Grimes & Daryl Dixon Still Have One Of TWD’s Best Dynamics

Nearly 15 years since The Walking Dead premiered, Rick and Daryl’s relationship remains one of the franchise’s most compelling dynamics. When they first meet, Daryl doesn’t like Rick much because of Rick’s opposition to Merle. However, their strained relationship takes a turn in season 2, with Daryl becoming Rick’s right-hand man. Soon enough, the duo can communicate without saying a word. Although Rick and Daryl have some disagreements, especially when it comes to major group decisions, they respect each other. Rick even calls Daryl his “brother.“ Needless to say, a Rick Grimes and Daryl Dixon reunion is a must.

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon—The Book of Carol is slated to premiere on September 29, 2024.