How the franchise’s shows map out a 12-year apocalyptic journey
Summary
– Fear the Walking Dead shows the collapse of society from Day 1
– Rick Grimes’ era defines the core survival arc across The Walking Dead
– Time jumps and spin-offs like Dead City and World Beyond bridge gaps across a 12-year timeline
The Walking Dead franchise spans over a decade of in-universe time, telling the story of civilization’s fall and the people who survive it. Across its multiple series, the timeline is shaped by outbreaks, wars, time jumps, and shifting power dynamics. Here’s a breakdown of how each show contributes to the greater narrative.
The timeline begins with Fear the Walking Dead Seasons 1–3, which take place roughly three weeks before Rick Grimes wakes up in the pilot of The Walking Dead. These seasons chart the outbreak’s earliest days, showing how society collapses through the eyes of the Clark family. From the military’s failed containment efforts in Los Angeles to the family’s escape to Mexico and Texas, these episodes provide the foundational context of the world’s fall.
The Walking Dead Seasons 1–9 follow Rick Grimes from his hospital awakening to his helicopter rescue. These nine seasons cover roughly three years, detailing the evolution of survivors from isolated wanderers to community leaders. Major milestones include the fall of the prison, battles with the Governor and Negan, and the group’s assimilation into Alexandria.
After Rick’s disappearance in Season 9, the show jumps six years ahead, marking one of the largest time skips in the franchise. During this period, Judith grows up, Alexandria becomes more organized, and relationships across communities deepen, setting the stage for newer conflicts.
The Walking Dead: World Beyond runs concurrently with the end of The Walking Dead, set about 10 years into the apocalypse. This series focuses on younger survivors and the Civic Republic Military, the organization behind Rick’s mysterious extraction. While not directly linked to Dead City, World Beyond deepens the lore surrounding post-apocalyptic governance and Rick’s whereabouts.
The Whisperer War plays out around Year 10 in The Walking Dead and is pivotal for characters like Negan and Maggie. Their actions during this period shape their dynamic in Dead City, as Negan redeems himself by killing Alpha, while Maggie returns after years away.
Finally, The Walking Dead wraps with the Commonwealth storyline around 12 years into the apocalypse. With 50,000 residents, the Commonwealth represents a fragile form of restored civilization, tainted by inequality and power struggles. The resolution of this arc sets the groundwork for future spin-offs, including Dead City, by showing where each character ends up and what drives them forward.
