- Seth Hoffman is returning as showrunner for The Walking Dead spinoff Dead City season 3.
- Dead City season 3 has finished filming, pointing to a 2026 release window.
- Hoffman previously ran seasons 4–6 of the original The Walking Dead and wrote several fan-favorite episodes.
- Valhalla Entertainment teased big plans for Dead City and Daryl Dixon on social media.
Seth Hoffman returns to Dead City
Longtime Walking Dead veteran Seth Hoffman is coming back to the franchise as showrunner for Dead City season 3. Hoffman replaces Eli Jorné, who stepped down after guiding the series through its first two seasons.
Hoffman is no stranger to the TWD universe. He led the original series through seasons four, five, and six — seasons many fans consider part of the show’s prime — and wrote standout episodes including the season 4 finale “Too Far Gone” and season 6’s “JSS,” “No Way Out,” and “Not Tomorrow Yet.” His appointment signals a return to a creative voice closely associated with some of the franchise’s most impactful moments.
Dead City season 3 wrapped production
Producers have confirmed that Dead City season 3 has wrapped filming, which strongly suggests a 2026 release. AMC has not announced an exact premiere date, but the production wrap and promotional activity from Valhalla Entertainment point toward a launch this year.
The series continues to star Lauren Cohan as Maggie Rhee and Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan, and Hoffman’s return has fans optimistic about the show’s storytelling and tone as it navigates the post-original-series landscape.
What this means for the TWD universe
Dead City was the first of the recent spinoffs to debut after the original series ended. With The Ones Who Live completed as a six-episode miniseries and Daryl Dixon scheduled to conclude with its fourth and final season later this year, Dead City could become the last continuing entry in the current wave of TWD shows.
AMC executives, including Scott M. Gimple and Dan McDermott, have indicated they see long-term potential for the franchise — even suggesting the saga could continue for another 15 years. Bringing Hoffman back may provide stability and a familiar creative hand as the franchise charts its next phase.
Fans react and studio teases
Fans responded positively to the news, noting Hoffman’s track record on the original show. Valhalla Entertainment also shared a social post hinting at a big year for both Dead City and Daryl Dixon, adding fuel to expectations that both will return in 2026.
Embedded post (Valhalla Entertainment on X): https://x.com/valhallapics/status/2006727162242445674
Looking ahead
While exact release details remain pending, Dead City season 3’s completed production and Hoffman’s appointment are clear signs the franchise remains active. Viewers can expect the series to lean into character conflict and gritty set pieces — hallmarks of Hoffman’s earlier work — when Dead City returns.
Stay tuned for official premiere dates from AMC and additional casting or plot announcements as networks roll out their 2026 schedules.
Image Referance: https://undeadwalking.com/the-walking-dead-legend-returns-amc-franchise-twd-2026
