More Stories From the Apocalypse in Tales of the Walking Dead

New spinoff, Tales of the Walking Dead offers some different perspective to the long-running zombie apocalypse

Beware! the “Walking Dead” are multiplying—again.

The fourth entry in this wildly popular zombie franchise premieres Sunday on AMC and streamer AMC+. Tales of the Walking Dead is an anthology series of six standalone episodes revolving around both new and established characters within this grisly TV universe. Each instalment will have its own distinct point of view and tone as characters are faced with life-threatening situations and choices, thus giving viewers a look at the apocalypse through different sets of eyes.AMCAmong the stars of the series, Samantha Morton stands out as Alpha/Dee, leader of the survivor group known as the Whisperers, who appeared in seasons nine and 10 of The Walking Dead. One episode will be devoted to her.

Others in the cast include Olivia Munn (The Newsroom), Terry Crews (Brooklyn Nine-Nine), Parker Posey (Lost in Space), Poppy Liu (Dead Ringers), Anthony Edwards (WeCrashed), Jillian Bell (Rough Night), Embeth Davidtz (Ray Donovan) and Danny Ramirez (Top Gun: Maverick).

The idea for an anthology of one-off stories had been percolating among TWD producers for several years, but it gained traction when executive producer Scott Gimple pitched it as a weekly series with differing storylines and directors.AMCBeyond that, little else is known about what Tales are to come, save for a 15-second teaser that shows Posey’s character being bitten by a walker. Plus, these few hints from Gimple: “This year is more about original stories in different genres,” he explains, “with [series showrunner Channing Powell’s] terrific Alpha story being our deep dive into TWD’s rich past. We have fusions of TWD’s survival horror with dark comedy, with a very heartfelt story about isolation, with a tense horror-mystery. Incredible characters in very different situations, giving us different, new looks into our dead world.”

And if four Walking Dead series isn’t enough for you, not to worry. Slated to premiere in 2023, Isle of the Dead reunites Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan as enemies-turned-uneasy allies Negan and Maggie, who travel into a post-apocalyptic, crumbling Manhattan filled with the dead and those who have made the city their own world full of anarchy, danger, terror and beauty.

Then there’s the untitled spinoff starring Norman Reedus as hog-riding misanthrope Daryl, also targeted for 2023. Originally, this was to focus on Daryl and his best friend Carol (Melissa McBride) as they embark on a road trip, but McBride’s subsequent departure cancelled those plans and made it a Daryl-only project… which will only give fans further insight into the mind and backstory of their favourite loner.

Tales of the Walking Dead debuts Sunday, Aug. 14 on AMC