‘The Walking Dead’ Season 8 Casts Doubts of Involvement for Carl Grimes Actor Chandler Riggs; Norman Reedus Returns as Daryl Dixon?

‘The Walking Dead’ season 8 has been renewed on AMC but Carl Grimes actor Chandler Riggs cast doubts on his character’s involvement in the future. Meanwhile, it was revealed that Norman Reedus may return to play fan-favorite Daryl Dixon in the incoming season.

During an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Riggs talked about his character Carl Grimes’ future on AMC’s popular horror-drama television series. He admitted that the prospect of attending college while continuing to work on the series may pose some challenges.

The 17-year old actor said, “You never know how it will go. I really do hope it works out because that would be really cool. I like to be in The Walking Dead and I like to play video games and just hang out with my friends and try to be as normal as possible so going to college would be another really cool, normal experience in my life. I want for it to work out.”

When asked if there was a workaround to being a full-time student while staying as a series regular, Riggs replied, “Yes. Theoretically, I could take one or two classes on campus and maybe an online class. My professors would have to be willing to cooperate. It wouldn't be easy but I think that could be possible.”

He admitted that he was willing to try a challenging yet possible work-school balance for the next seasons. However, Riggs declined to answer if he’d signed a season 8 contract.

Meanwhile, it was speculated that fan-favorite character Daryl Dixon will come out of season 7 alive and continue to appear as one of the key characters in season 8. According to Moviepilot, actor Norman Reedus recently re-negotiated his contract for the incoming season together with co-actor Andrew Lincoln, who plays the lead protagonist Rick Grimes.

Daryl is currently working as Negan’s servant at the Sanctuary. He has become a broken husk of his former self due to Negan’s emotional and physical torture. It was previously speculated that Daryl would meet his demise sometime in season 7.

‘The Walking Dead’ season 8 has been renewed to air sometime in late 2017. Season 7’s finale, entitled "Hearts Still Beating," is scheduled to air on AMC on December 11, 2016.