Acid zombie variant from Daryl Dixon season 1.

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon has arrived on Netflix only weeks before the season 2 premiere. After The Walking Dead‘s final season, the stories of several characters continued in three separate spinoffs, with the story of Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) continuing in his own titular series. Daryl Dixon season 1 saw the fan-favorite washing onto the shores of France, far from his good friend Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride), the communities of Alexandria and the Commonwealth, and everything Daryl knew.

Season 1 was generally well-received, as it put Reedus’ Daryl at the forefront of the story, only this time in an entirely new and refreshing setting for The Walking Dead universe. Season 2, titled The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol, will make Carol a central character in the series and expand the scope of the story as she journeys to find Daryl. Daryl Dixon is the first of the franchise’s spinoffs to have a season 2 release since the main series ended, with Dead City season 2 not debuting until 2025.

Watch Daryl Dixon Season 1 On Netflix & Season 2 Will Soon Be Here

Season 1 Is A Quick Watch

Carol aiming Daryl's crossbow at a zombie in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 2

While The Walking Dead featured 11 seasons and 177 episodes by the end of its run, Daryl Dixon season 1 has only six episodes, making it feasible to watch before the season 2 premiere. The spinoff series has a riveting blend of horror, drama, and action, as Daryl and his newfound allies navigate the threats posed by France’s zombies and sinister humans. At only six episodes, it does not suffer from the pacing issues that sometimes plagued the main series.

Clémence Poésy’s character Isabelle Carriere is just as compelling as Daryl, individually and in terms of her relationships with Daryl and with Laurent (Louis Puech Scigliuzzi), a boy who is believed to be destined for greatness. Even though Daryl is the initial draw to the series, Isabelle, Laurent, and other new human characters are easy to quickly get invested in. The pacing, leading performances, and high-stakes story all make Daryl Dixon well worth watching before season 2.

Daryl Dixon Is Perfect For Viewers Who Stopped Watching The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead‘s 11 Seasons Are Not Required Viewing For Daryl Dixon

Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon in an episode of the Walking Dead spinoff, with his hair flying in the wind

Even though Reedus has been playing Daryl since The Walking Dead‘s pilot episode aired in 2010, Daryl Dixon can still be understood and enjoyed by viewers who stopped watching the main series. Other than Daryl, season 1 focuses on all new characters, and features a different setting from previous Walking Dead series. Daryl’s motivations and arc can be clearly understood, regardless of when viewers may have stopped watching The Walking Dead, and Daryl is still consistent with the fierce and caring individual he has always been.

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon – The Book of Carol premieres on September 29.

Despite Daryl’s prominence and the wider implications that the conflict poses for the post-apocalyptic world, Daryl Dixon largely feels like a standalone series. That may change with Carol entering season 2 or if Daryl eventually reunites with Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) or other surviving characters from the various spinoffs. For now, Daryl Dixon serves as an effective reentry point to The Walking Dead universe that can easily be caught up on before season 2 debuts.