Reviving Glenn in The Walking Dead: Dead City: Hershel Actor’s Vision to Bring Back Steven Yeun’s Iconic Character

The Walking Dead franchise has never shied away from bold moves, but a recent pitch by Logan Kim, who plays Hershel Rhee in The Walking Dead: Dead City, has sent ripples through the fandom. Kim, the young actor portraying Maggie Rhee’s son, proposed a way to bring back Steven Yeun’s beloved character, Glenn Rhee, in the Maggie-Negan spinoff, despite Glenn’s brutal death in the main series’ Season 7 premiere. With Dead City Season 2 delving deeper into Maggie’s grief and Hershel’s complex journey, Kim’s idea—suggested in a May 2025 interview—offers a creative path to revisit one of the franchise’s most cherished figures. How could Glenn return, and why does this pitch resonate so deeply? Let’s explore Kim’s vision, Glenn’s enduring legacy, and the potential impact on Dead City’s narrative.

Glenn Rhee: The Heart of The Walking Dead

Glenn Rhee, played by Steven Yeun, was a cornerstone of The Walking Dead from its 2010 debut. Introduced as a quick-witted pizza delivery boy from Atlanta (Michigan in the TV series), Glenn saved Rick Grimes from a walker-infested city, becoming the group’s primary supply runner. His resourcefulness, optimism, and moral compass made him a fan favorite, evolving from a plucky survivor to a leader. Glenn’s romance with Maggie Greene, played by Lauren Cohan, was a beacon of hope in the apocalypse, culminating in their marriage and the birth of their son, Hershel, named after Maggie’s father.

His arc ended tragically in the Season 7 premiere, set around April 2012 (day 630 post-outbreak), when Negan, portrayed by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, bludgeoned Glenn and Abraham Ford with his bat, Lucille. The scene, adapted from Kirkman’s comic issue #100, was a gut-punch, with Glenn’s final words—“Maggie, I’ll find you”—cementing his devotion. The double killing sparked backlash, with viewership dropping from 17 million to 11 million in weeks, as fans mourned Glenn’s gruesome exit. Yeun’s departure marked a turning point, with some, like Joe Rogan, quitting the show, citing the “disrespectful” handling of Glenn’s death.

Despite his 2016 exit, Glenn’s presence lingers, especially in Dead City, set in 2024–2025 (days 4,800–5,000). Maggie’s unresolved grief over Glenn’s murder drives her tension with Negan, who’s now her uneasy ally in a zombie-ravaged Manhattan. Hershel, who never knew his father, grapples with this legacy, his actions in Season 2—betraying Maggie by signaling to the villainous Dama—reflecting a darker path than Glenn’s benevolence. Logan Kim’s pitch to bring Glenn back taps into this emotional core, offering a way to bridge past and present.

Logan Kim’s Pitch: Flashbacks or a Ghostly Return

In an interview published on May 16, 2025, Logan Kim proposed two ways to resurrect Glenn in Dead City: through flashbacks or as a ghostly apparition. He suggested that flashbacks could depict Glenn’s life before his death, perhaps showing unseen moments with Maggie or his early days in the apocalypse, providing context for Hershel’s understanding of his father. Alternatively, Kim floated the idea of Glenn appearing as a ghost, a spectral figure guiding Maggie or even Hershel during a moment of crisis. While Kim expressed uncertainty about the ghost concept, noting Hershel never met Glenn, he believes either approach would be “interesting” and impactful, especially given Glenn’s emotional weight in Maggie’s story.

Kim’s pitch aligns with Dead City’s narrative style. Season 1 used clips from The Walking Dead Season 7 in Maggie’s nightmares, showing Glenn’s death haunting her. These glimpses prove the show can revisit Glenn without Yeun’s physical return, but Kim’s idea goes further, envisioning new scenes that could deepen Maggie’s arc or give Hershel a connection to his father. A flashback could show Glenn’s hopefulness, contrasting Hershel’s Season 2 villainy, while a ghostly appearance might offer Maggie closure or push Hershel toward redemption.

The Challenges of Bringing Glenn Back

Reviving Glenn poses logistical and narrative hurdles. Steven Yeun, now a celebrated actor with an Oscar nomination for Minari (2020) and Emmy and Golden Globe wins for Beef (2023), has moved on from The Walking Dead. He’s expressed reluctance to revisit Glenn, citing feeling “cramped” by the character’s “beige” role, which he felt lacked nuance compared to others like Rick or Carol. In 2022, Yeun told Conan O’Brien he has “zero interest” in returning, calling Glenn’s death a “blessing” for its finality, as it freed him from being typecast. His busy schedule, including voicing Mark Grayson in Invincible and starring in the upcoming Netflix thriller RIP, makes his participation unlikely.

Narratively, Glenn’s return must avoid cheapening his death, a pivotal moment that shaped Maggie’s leadership and the Walking Dead’s trajectory. Fans criticized the Season 7 premiere for its double killing, arguing Abraham’s death diluted Glenn’s, and a poorly executed return could reignite such backlash. Kim’s ghost idea, while intriguing, risks feeling gimmicky, especially since Hershel never knew Glenn, making a spectral interaction less emotionally grounded. Flashbacks, however, are more feasible, as The Walking Dead has used them effectively, like Jon Bernthal’s Shane in Rick’s final episode.

Why Glenn’s Return Could Work

Despite these challenges, Kim’s pitch has merit for several reasons. First, Glenn’s return would bring Dead City’s story full circle, addressing Maggie’s unresolved trauma. Her nightmares in Season 1 and her uneasy alliance with Negan in Season 2 show Glenn’s death still defines her. A flashback could depict a tender moment—like Glenn giving Maggie the photo he took of her, referenced by Lauren Cohan—or a heroic act, reinforcing his legacy. For Maggie, seeing Glenn’s spirit during a moment of doubt, perhaps as she faces the Dama or grapples with Hershel’s betrayal, could symbolize closure, allowing her to forgive Negan or find peace.

Second, a Glenn return could illuminate Hershel’s arc. In Season 2, episode 2, Hershel’s betrayal—starting a fire to signal New Babylon’s forces—shows he’s diverging from Glenn’s moral compass, leaning toward a villainous role. A flashback of Glenn’s kindness, perhaps seen through Maggie’s stories or a discovered memento, could challenge Hershel’s path, prompting reflection. While Kim doubts a ghost interaction due to their lack of connection, a dream sequence where Hershel imagines Glenn—based on Maggie’s descriptions—could be a powerful narrative device, especially if tied to his redemption.

Third, the Walking Dead franchise has precedent for revisiting deceased characters. Tales of the Walking Dead featured Alpha’s backstory post-death, and Michael Cudlitz appeared as Abraham in a dream sequence. Dead City’s anthology potential, as pitched by showrunner Eli Jorné, supports Kim’s idea, as the show’s focus on Maggie and Negan’s dynamic leaves room for emotional detours. Fans have long clamored for Glenn’s return, with many calling him the “heart” of the series, and Kim’s pitch taps into this nostalgia.

The Emotional Stakes: Maggie, Hershel, and Negan

Glenn’s return would amplify Dead City’s emotional stakes. For Maggie, it could resolve her internal conflict with Negan, who’s seeking redemption in Season 2. A flashback or vision of Glenn urging forgiveness could mirror Hershel Greene’s role as her moral guide, pushing her to see Negan’s efforts to save Hershel. For Hershel, learning about his father’s selflessness could counter his darker impulses, especially as he navigates the Dama’s influence.

Negan’s arc also benefits. Jeffrey Dean Morgan has said Negan has a “soft spot” for kids like Hershel, and their potential bond could be deepened by Glenn’s shadow. A flashback showing Glenn’s death from Negan’s perspective might reveal his regret, adding nuance to his redemption. Morgan’s decade-long passion for Negan, describing the role as owning his “soul,” suggests he’d embrace such a storyline, making it a fitting evolution for Dead City.web:previous_article

Why Fans Are Buzzing

Logan Kim’s pitch resonates because Glenn remains a fan-favorite whose death left a void. His optimism, love for Maggie, and heroic acts—like saving Rick or fighting a walker while tied to a chair—made him unforgettable. Fans have called Hershel a “little Glenn” for his rascally charm, amplifying the desire to see Glenn’s legacy honored. Kim’s idea, while speculative, taps into the Walking Dead’s strength: using its past to enrich its present. With Dead City Season 2 airing Sundays on AMC and AMC+, and the franchise thriving through spinoffs, the timing feels right for a Glenn nod, even if Yeun’s return is improbable.

Ultimately, Kim’s pitch is a love letter to fans, offering a way to heal Maggie’s wounds, guide Hershel’s path, and deepen Negan’s redemption. Whether through a poignant flashback or a symbolic vision, Glenn’s return could remind viewers why The Walking Dead endures: its ability to find hope amid heartbreak. As the franchise marches on, Glenn’s spirit lives in Maggie, Hershel, and the fans who still hear his voice in the apocalypse.