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CULTURAL PHENOMENON The Walking Dead expands its scope with a next-generation spin-off World Beyond, a new series exploring the lives of four teenagers raised in a post-apocalyptic world. The Walking Dead: World Beyond arrives on Blu-ray, DVD and digital 11 October 2021, courtesy of Acorn Media International.
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Set in Nebraska, 10 years after the zombie apocalypse, smart high school student Iris Bennett (Aliyah Royale – The Red Line, War Paint), and her rebellious adopted sister Hope (Alexa Mansour – Unfriended: Dark Wed, Loco Love), are forced to set off on a dangerous journey, along with two friends, the intellectual Elton Ortiz (Nicolas Cantu – The Good Place, The Powerpuff Girls) and a shy transfer student with a mysterious, violent past, Silas Plaskett (Hal Cumpston – Bilched, Nine Perfect Strangers).Leaving the safety and comfort of home to brave dangers, known and unknown, living and undead on an important quest, the teens are pursued by both those who wish to protect them and those who wish to harm them including Elizabeth Kublek (Julia Ormond – The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, My Week with Marilyn). A coming-of-age story unfurls across dangerous terrain, challenging everything they know about the world, themselves and each other.
Some will become heroes. Some will become villains. But will they find the truths they seek in the World Beyond?
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Let me begin by saying that you should ignore some of the naysayers out there who say that The Walking Dead: World Beyond is not a patch on it’s illustrious predecessor. Well, let’s just put aside the annoying little fact that The Walking Dead itself is no longer a patch on it’s illustrious early seasons & so perhaps it’s a case of ‘those in glass houses’ and all that. I suppose while we’re at it, we should also ignore the doom mongers and malcontents who grandly proclaim that we are now suffering from a cultural ‘zombie fatigue syndrome’ and that we should move on to other horror genres. Maybe they want us to return to the days of spangly, shimmering Twilight vampires or something? Heaven forbid.
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Nope, I for one have not tired of zombies – and neither it seems have co-creators Scott M. Gimple and showrunner Matt Negrete, both of whom are inextricably linked with The Walking Dead universe, and here have fashioned a series that is determined to broaden the feel of the post apocalyptic zombie world. Personally speaking, the notion of what is happening outside the immediate environment of the survivors is for me one of the great untapped avenues that have been only barely explored so far in the various TV incarnations. I want to know what may be happening out there beyond …… and while we may not get all the answers in season one of The Walking Dead: World Beyond, we certainly get a few tasty morsels to chew over.
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I will be the first to admit that when I first heard that there would be a new Walking Dead series I was hit with two immediate conflicting feelings; one of genuine joy that we were simply getting another zombie outing, the second that it would be primarily from the viewpoints of young children. Now, don’t get me wrong – it’s not that I hate kids or anything (I hear they go very well with roasted potatoes and vegetables). It’s just that invariably in both the original series and in Fear the walking dead they often tend to make the worst and often ridiculous decisions either for themselves or in getting those around them eaten (just don’t get me started on that bloody Henry!).
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In truth I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed series one. Yes of course it could never match up to the incredible gritty horror of S1 of TWD, or the beautiful change of pace of season 2 at Hershel’s farm – but in its own way World Beyond and it’s slightly (only slightly) more optimistic feel and periods of contemplation are a refreshing change to the one-tone cul-de-sac that the original series has fallen into. That’s not to say that there aren’t periods of genuine horror here, because there are some seriously good set-pieces throughout.
But not only that there’s the added element of clues to what has happened beyond the borders…..the inclusion of the Civic Republic, hints about Europe and even a few Easter eggs concerning a certain Mr. R. Grimes appear throughout.
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I’ll readily admit that not everything works in this first series, some of the acting and dialogue delivery at times can be a little uneven and the show is certainly still trying to find its true identity. But give it a try , you may be surprised.
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Oh, and look out for a Blu-ray copy of series one in a very near future 5D goody bag competition.
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Special Features: Three Featurettes: A Look at the Series, Meet the Characters, Making of Season 1
Title: The Walking Dead: World Beyond Blu-ray. Cat.No: AB2029
Cert: 15
Release Date: 11 October 2021 RRP: £39.99
Running Time: 450 mins
Title: The Walking Dead: World Beyond DVD. Cat.No: AV3621
Cert: 15
Also available digitally to download and keep 11 October 2021
Release Date: 11 October 2021 RRP: £29.99
Running Time: 450 mins
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ABOUT ACORN MEDIA INTERNATIONAL:
Acorn Media International is a division of AMC Networks, Inc. For over 30 years, Acorn has successfully managed and distributed best-selling dramas, mysteries and other series, including Line Of Duty, Doc Martin, Agatha Raisin, Midsomer Murders, Chernobyl, A Place To Call Home and many more. From broadcast to streaming, DVD to digital, Acorn effectively exploits content in all formats across all distribution channels, including direct-to-consumer via its proprietary SVOD channel, Acorn TV. Acorn optimizes the value of content by skilfully managing pricing, windowing and promotion. Acorn has offices in the US, UK and Australia and works with strategic partners to distribute to other territories around the globe.
For more information, visit https://www.acornmediainternational.com.
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ABOUT AMC NETWORKS:
Known for its groundbreaking and celebrated original content, AMC Networks is the company behind the award-winning brands AMC, BBC AMERICA, IFC, SundanceTV, WE tv, and IFC Films. Its diverse line-up of popular and critically-acclaimed series and independent films include Killing Eve, Better Call Saul and The Walking Dead, which has been the #1 show on basic cable television for nine consecutive years, as well as Portlandia, Brockmire, Love After Lockup, and the films Boyhood, Death of Stalin, and many more. Its original series Mad Men and Breaking Bad are widely recognized as being among the most influential and acclaimed shows in the history of TV. The Company also operates AMC Studios, its production business; AMC Networks International, its international programming business; the subscription streaming services Shudder, Sundance Now; Acorn TV; and UMC (Urban Movie Channel); and Levity Entertainment Group, the Company’s production services and comedy venues business.
For more information, visit http://www.amcnetworks.com.
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