Norman Reedus Reflects on Missing Collaborations with Andrew Lincoln and Jon Bernthal

Norman Reedus Reflects on Bonds with Andrew Lincoln and Jon Bernthal

As the world of The Walking Dead expands, Norman Reedus fondly reminisces about the impactful moments he shared with his former co-stars, Andrew Lincoln and Jon Bernthal. In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly at the recent PaleyFest NY event for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon — The Book of Carol, Reedus opened up about the camaraderie he experienced during his time on the iconic series. He stated, “Working with Jon and Andy back in the day was special because everyone was completely invested. Each actor was not just focused on their own lines, but on the bigger picture.”

Reedus highlighted Lincoln’s commitment, sharing, “Andy would often call me in the morning before work, discussing our scenes and suggesting ideas on how we could approach them differently. And once the workday ended, he would call me before I even left the parking lot, asking if I thought we had nailed the scene. I genuinely miss that kind of team spirit.”

Having debuted as Daryl Dixon in the show’s third episode, Reedus has become one of the longest-standing actors in television history, having been part of The Walking Dead franchise since its inception. Over the course of eleven seasons, the series has seen numerous cast changes, with both shocking departures and some actors choosing to exit the series voluntarily.

When the show first launched in 2010, it depicted a group navigating life in a post-apocalyptic world. Led by Lincoln’s character, Rick Grimes, the storyline intricately wove relationships, particularly between Daryl and Rick, who transitioned from adversaries to allies over time, building a deep bond.

Reedus noted the close friendship he shared with Lincoln and Bernthal off-screen as well. Despite Bernthal’s character being killed off after just two seasons, he has remained a significant figure in Reedus’s life, famously delivering a speech at Reedus’s Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony in 2022.

Reflecting on his experiences, Reedus commented on how cast dynamics shifted as the show progressed. “In the later seasons, it became increasingly challenging to connect with new cast members due to the show’s size. I miss the intimacy we had in the earlier days,” he said.

As fans have followed The Walking Dead’s various spinoffs since its premiere, Reedus continues to explore Daryl’s character in the latest installment, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon — The Book of Carol. The series revisits Daryl’s storyline as he grapples with pivotal decisions in a constantly evolving world.

Daryl’s journey has led to personal growth, especially in how he navigates relationships with new characters. Reedus has expressed a desire to portray Daryl as a more emotionally intelligent character, considering the influence of past allies. “I’m aiming to showcase Daryl’s maturity as he thinks about the choices and moral lessons shared by others he has encountered,” he explained.

New episodes of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon — The Book of Carol air weekly on AMC, maintaining the suspense and intrigue fans have come to love from this groundbreaking series.