The Walking Dead's Shocking Twist: Maggie's Surprising Departure & Unexpected Return in Season 10

Summary

Maggie left The Walking Dead in season 9 due to a pay dispute and because she had another show, but she returned in the season 10 finale because her other show got canceled.

After coming back, Maggie reluctantly teamed up with Negan, joining forces to overcome the Reapers and stay alive.

Maggie's journey will persist in The Walking Dead spin-off series, Walking Dead: Dead City, in which she and Negan maintain their connection and collaborate to safeguard her son, Herschel, against those who seek to exploit Negan's abilities.

In season 9 of The Walking Dead, beloved character Maggie (played by Lauren Cohan) departed the series. However, in the season 10 finale, she made a surprise return. This raised the question of why the actor left the show only to come back a season later. Maggie's departure coincided with another major exit, that of Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), although Rick's absence was only temporary and he appeared in a spinoff show with Michonne (Danai Gurira). The last scene featuring Rick in the original series was simply to set up his new show.

One consequence of Rick leaving at the same time was that Maggie's exit did not receive the attention it deserved. Although her character survived, she was rarely mentioned during her absence. However, the other survivors were occupied with the threat posed by The Whisperers. By season 11 of The Walking Dead, Maggie had become an important part of the series once again. So, why was Maggie written out of the show for an entire season in the first place? Her departure in season 9 was due to circumstances unrelated to the show itself, leading to her return in the season 10 finale.

Why Maggie Left The Walking Dead In Season 9

During season 9 of The Walking Dead, Maggie appeared to move past her desire to kill Negan. However, after Rick's presumed death and a time jump, Maggie was gone. It was later revealed that she had accompanied Georgie in building a new community. In the season 10 finale, Maggie returned after reading a letter from Carol detailing the unfortunate events and deaths that had occurred. While this is what was shown onscreen, there are more factors at play behind the scenes that explain Maggie's absence and return.

Before season 9, Lauren Cohan faced a disagreement with producers regarding her pay. She requested to be paid equally to her male co-stars who had similar seniority. Additionally, Cohan was working on an ABC spy comedy pilot called Whiskey Cavalier, which was picked up for a full first season. Due to these circumstances, Cohan negotiated a deal for a limited return as Maggie in The Walking Dead. She only appeared in the first half of the season before leaving the story (and presumably receiving the desired raise).

Why Maggie Returned To The Walking Dead In Season 10

Angela Kang, showrunner of The Walking Dead, stated that there was an opportunity for Maggie to return in the future. However, Maggie's return came sooner than expected due to the cancellation of Whiskey Cavalier after its first season. Initially, it was announced that Maggie would return for season 11, but the decision was made for her to also appear in the season 10 finale and subsequent "bonus episodes". Maggie returned to the show because of actress Cohan's availability.

Since her return, Maggie has fully integrated herself back into the group, notably forming an alliance with her former enemy, Negan. Understandably, Maggie was hesitant to work with the man who killed her husband, Glenn, even if Negan appeared to have changed. As The Walking Dead approaches its final season, Maggie is here to stay for the remainder of the series.

What Maggie Did Until The End of TWD

Maggie made her return in the final season of The Walking Dead, remaining until the very end. Initially in Alexandria, she reluctantly partnered with Negan. Demonstrating her hardened character, she allowed two thieves to be devoured by Walkers. However, things took a dark turn for her and her group when they were ambushed by the Reapers. With their group scattered, Maggie found herself forming an unlikely alliance with Negan in order to survive. She let go of her plans to kill him, recognizing that they needed each other to overcome the Reapers. Negan even taught her how to control a horde in the Whisperer-style.

This dynamic between Maggie and Negan continued throughout the finale of The Walking Dead. Upon reaching the Commonwealth, Maggie discovered a formidable adversary in the distrustful and ruthless Pamela Milton. When Pamela kidnapped Maggie's son Hershel, Rick's daughter Judith, and other children, Maggie felt pushed into a corner. In a shocking twist, it was Negan who prevented her from murdering Pamela, stating that it would strip away the last remnants of her goodness. Finally, Negan revealed his vulnerable side to Maggie. Ultimately, Maggie did not need to kill Pamela, as the governor's own allies turned against her, leading to her eventual surrender.

Maggie's TWD Future

Despite Lauren Cohan's departure from The Walking Dead, Maggie's connection to Negan persists even as the main show concludes. While Carol and Daryl's spin-off changed due to Melissa McBride's departure, the spin-off featuring Negan and Maggie continues. Titled "Walking Dead: Dead City," the series relocates Maggie and Negan to New York after the events of the original show.

In the first season of this spin-off, a group of survivors abducts Herschel, the son of Maggie and Glenn. Maggie initially seeks Negan's assistance to travel to Manhattan and rescue her son. Although Maggie pretends to bury the hatchet with Negan, she secretly leads him into a trap and trades him for Herschel. Herschel accuses Maggie of being so fixated on Negan that he feels she prioritizes the man who killed his father over him. Herschel's accusations might hold some truth, as Maggie and Negan maintain a connection even after the season concludes.

This is because Maggie is aware that the individuals who possess Negan's abilities and have a desire to utilize them are also prepared to target her son once more. Despite their opposing views, both Maggie and Negan share a concern for Herschel's welfare, which might eventually lead them to a mutual understanding in the upcoming development of the franchise. The Walking Dead: Dead City has been officially renewed for a second season, ensuring the continuation of their journey in the times to come.