Melissa McBride as Carol looking curious next to Norman Reedus as Daryl covered in cuts in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon

Warning: This article contains SPOILERS for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 2’s Finale.The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon has spent its past two seasons exploring the apocalypse in France and continuing to flesh out the franchise’s lore, but season 3 looks completely different. With Daryl Dixon season 3 set to take place in Spain, the story will go in a new direction and offer a fresh feel to the spinoff, which is great for The Walking Dead. France undoubtedly offered some amazing scenery and introduced plenty of memorable characters, but Daryl’s journey in the country felt like it had reached its natural conclusion, making now the perfect time to move on.

In addition to the Spanish setting, The Walking Dead also hinted at the United Kingdom featuring in the show’s third season, as Daryl and Carol made their way toward England during season 2’s finale. Traveling into unfamiliar territory adds an extra sense of jeopardy to the series, making it hard to know exactly what the protagonists will be up against when the show returns. Season 3’s teaser trailer also showed no signs of returning characters outside Daryl and Carol, and while this doesn’t rule out any surprises entirely, it’s clear the franchise’s hit spinoff will get the reset it needs.

Traveling With Carol From The Start Makes Daryl Dixon Season 3 Totally Fresh

Daryl & Carol Kicking Season 3 Off Together Makes It Different From The Previous Installments

Norman Reedus as Daryl and Melissa McBride as Carol standing against a grey sky in Walking Dead Daryl Dixon season 2 finale
Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Carol (Melissa McBride) armed inside a car covered in blood in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 2 Ep 5
Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Carol (Melissa McBride) having a conversation in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 2 Ep 5 Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Carol (Melissa McBride) reuniting with the resistance in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 2 Ep 5 Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Carol (Melissa McBride) walking through an abandoned Paris in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.Norman Reedus as Daryl and Melissa McBride as Carol standing against a grey sky in Walking Dead Daryl Dixon season 2 finale Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Carol (Melissa McBride) armed inside a car covered in blood in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 2 Ep 5 Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Carol (Melissa McBride) having a conversation in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 2 Ep 5 Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Carol (Melissa McBride) reuniting with the resistance in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 2 Ep 5 Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Carol (Melissa McBride) walking through an abandoned Paris in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.

One of Daryl Dixon‘s biggest changes from the first few seasons is that the next installment will begin with Daryl and Carol traveling together right from the very start. Although Carol did feature in season 1, she mainly had a cameo role, and didn’t reunite with Daryl until over halfway through season 2. Both characters had fun individual journeys in Daryl Dixon, but given Daryl and Carol’s Walking Dead friendship is one of the strongest bonds in the entire franchise, having them together brings out the best in them, meaning season 3 will already have a major selling point.

Despite having plenty of solo adventures together in the main show, seeing Daryl and Carol navigate Europe together will feel extremely different from the spinoff’s previous plot. While Daryl did initially plan on returning to America, his story in France mainly became about protecting Laurent, with Carol helping assist in season 2’s final few episodes. However, with the child seemingly on his way to safety, the narrative will now be about Daryl and Carol’s relationship and how they overcome the odds to get home, giving it a familiar vibe to The Ones Who Live.

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon has been renewed for season 3 and will premiere in 2025.

Given how well Rick and Michonne’s spinoff performed, putting Daryl and Carol in similar circumstances feels like a recipe for success. Therefore, Daryl Dixon‘s protagonists starting season 3 together will follow a winning formula while still feeling fresh compared to its previous installments, making The Walking Dead‘s direction for the show a stroke of genius.

Daryl Dixon Season 3’s Spanish Location Reboots The Visuals & Cast

Spain Offers A Completely New Environment & Storyline Compared To France

Someone in a cowboy hat riding a horse down a railroad track in The Walking Dead Daryl Dixon season 3 trailer

Alongside the plot itself changing, Daryl Dixon going to Spain will introduce an entirely new cast while rebooting the visuals. France offered plenty of stunning sights and was arguably one of the franchise’s most visually impressive projects to date, largely due to how different it felt from many of the American occasions. Luckily, Spain presents the chance to spice things up even more, as its scenery will once again feel unique. Deserts and railways can be spotted in season 3’s teaser, but the country offers so much more which will make it stand out from previous installments.

The change in characters will also provide a new dynamic for the show, as Daryl Dixon season 2’s cast was largely similar to season 1’s. Although there were some major additions, a lot of the central characters remained the same, but season 3 won’t suffer this fate. Instead, outside Daryl and Carol, it’s unclear if anyone else will return, hinting at a brand-new set of survivors joining the show. Stephen Merchant appeared in the latest trailer and The Walking Dead has announced a number of other additions, confirming that the Spanish setting will be filled with new faces.

There’s No Doubt Over Daryl Wanting To Go Home In Season 3

With Laurent Heading Towards The Commonwealth, Daryl’s Only Objective Will Be Returning Home

Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Carol (Melissa McBride) looking thoughtful in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 2 Ep 5Image via amc+

Daryl Dixon season 1’s ending left his story on a cliffhanger, as the protagonist hesitated about going home or staying in France. Season 2 confirmed that he wanted to return to the US, but Laurent and Isabelle left him still slightly conflicted; however, there is no doubt he wants to go back to the Commonwealth in season 3. Isabelle’s death and Laurent flying towards America means Daryl has no reason to stay in France – hence heading towards England with Carol – and the UK seems to be the first stop on a long journey back home.

After overcoming personal battles and having loved ones waiting back in the Commonwealth, the protagonists appear as though they will be on the same page about getting home, but it won’t be easy.

Although Spain seems to be an unplanned part of their trip, Daryl and Carol look willing to travel all over Europe if it means finally finding a ride overseas. After overcoming personal battles and having loved ones waiting back in the Commonwealth, the protagonists appear as though they will be on the same page about getting home, but it won’t be easy. Despite both characters being committed to going home, there will be plenty of obstacles in their way throughout Daryl Dixon season 3 and potentially even season 4, making the spinoff’s future all the more compelling.