What Walking Dead Shows You Should Watch Before The Ones Who Live

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live is the franchise’s seventh show, so there are a few previous installments that would be best to see before viewing Rick and Michonne’s spinoff. The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live‘s cast includes the return of the main show’s iconic Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne (Danai Gurira). As with other spinoffs in the franchise, crossover characters indicate likely overlap between story details and arcs established prior to The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live‘s events.

The Walking Dead franchise has seven shows and counting, meaning any viewers jumping in for the first time may be overwhelmed. While the flagship show is a solid basis for any Walking Dead viewing, there are naturally particular aspects most necessary for a spinoff centered around only two of its main characters. Additionally, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live‘s trailer reveals insight into which other spinoffs would be beneficial to see beforehand because of franchise lore and long-running organizations, like the Civic Republic Military.

Watch The Walking Dead Season 10 & World Beyond Before The Ones Who Live

The Walking Dead and World Beyond‘s two seasons provide insight into Rick & Michonne and the CRM.

Because Rick and Michonne head The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live and originate in the main show, The Walking Dead is essential viewing. However, only The Walking Dead seasons 1 to 10 will be the most valuable. Rick leaves The Walking Dead in season 9, episode 5, and his exit is facilitated by the major antagonistic group from his spinoff – the CRM. Since Michonne’s exit is in season 10, episode 13, only up until her last episode is recommended as nothing of major importance that affects the spinoff occurs after that.

From this point, The Walking Dead: World Beyond‘s two seasons can provide a solid introduction to the CRM in a way that supplements any mention of it in the main show. Moreover, Jadis, first introduced in the main show’s seventh season, appears in The Walking Dead: World Beyond, hinting at her character’s role in the CRM. While the CRM’s present is in spinoffs other than The Walking Dead: World Beyond, this show is the first one in the franchise to show characters and operations from the organization.

Here’s a breakdown of which The Walking Dead shows are essential to watch before The Ones Who Live:

Do You Need To Watch The Walking Dead’s Other Spinoffs?

Fear The Walking Dead has non-essential CRM details, whereas Dead City and Daryl Dixon have no obvious connections.

The franchise’s second major spinoff, Fear The Walking Dead, includes eight seasons, as well as major crossover characters like Morgan Jones and Dwight from the flagship show. However, Fear The Walking Dead is mostly separate from other Walking Dead shows aside from this connection. But with Fear, there are a few non-essential references to the CRM, particularly in season 5, when one of their soldiers, Isabelle, meets a series regular, Althea. Moreover, Morgan’s Fear The Walking Dead exit in season 8, episode 6 potentially links to The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live since he mentions plans to find Rick.

As for the other major spinoffs, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon and Dead City, there are no obvious connections between these shows and Rick and Michonne’s spinoff. While both these spinoffs feature main show characters who were closely related to Rick and Michonne’s stories, their spinoff arcs and timelines do not tie in with The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live. Therefore, The Walking Dead‘s spinoffs, aside from World Beyond, are optional and don’t provide any context vital to understanding Rick and Michonne’s show.

The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live

TV-MA

Action

Drama

Horror

Release Date

February 25, 2024

Cast

Andrew Lincoln , Danai Gurira , Pollyanna McIntosh , Lesley-Ann Brandt , Terry O’Quinn

Seasons

1

Writers

Scott M. Gimple , Danai Gurira

Network

AMC

Streaming Service(s)

AMC+

Franchise(s)

The Walking Dead

Showrunner

Scott M. Gimple