The Walking Dead: Is Negan’s Death on the Horizon in Dead City, and Will AMC Dare to Pull the Trigger?

Negan, the leather-jacketed, bat-swinging anti-hero played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, has been a cornerstone of The Walking Dead universe since his explosive debut in 2016. From a despised villain to a fan-favorite redeemed survivor, his journey has captivated audiences across the main series and the spinoff The Walking Dead: Dead City. Now, as Dead City Season 2 unfolds in 2025, subtle hints in the narrative are teasing the possibility of Negan’s death—a move that would be one of AMC’s most audacious decisions yet. With Morgan’s soul-deep connection to the character and fans’ fierce loyalty, could the network risk killing off such an iconic figure? Let’s dive into the clues suggesting Negan’s demise, explore his timeline, and unpack why this potential twist has the Walking Dead fandom buzzing with anticipation and dread.

Negan’s Legacy: From Villain to Redemption

Negan’s arc began in The Walking Dead’s Season 6 finale, “Last Day on Earth” (April 3, 2016), set around April 2012 (day 630 post-outbreak). As the Savior’s leader, he introduced himself with a chilling monologue and his barbed-wire bat, Lucille, setting the stage for the Season 7 premiere’s brutal killings of Abraham Ford and Glenn Rhee. This moment, one of the show’s most controversial, drew 17 million viewers but sparked a backlash, with viewership dropping to 11 million in weeks due to its graphic violence. Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s charismatic performance, blending menace with dark humor, made Negan an instant icon, despite the hate for his actions.

Seasons 7–8 (2012–2013, days 630–800) saw Negan dominate communities like Alexandria, his tyranny fueling the Savior War. Defeated by Rick Grimes in Season 8’s finale, he was imprisoned rather than killed, marking the start of his redemption. Seasons 9–10 (2013–2019, days 800–3,650) showed a humbled Negan, bonding with Judith Grimes and proving his worth by killing Whisperer leader Alpha. By Season 11 (2020–2022, days 3,800–4,500), he allied with Maggie Rhee against the Commonwealth, expressing remorse for Glenn’s death. His exit in the 2022 finale, leaving Alexandria to forge a new path, set the stage for Dead City.

Dead City, set in 2024–2025 (days 4,800–5,000), pairs Negan with Maggie in a zombie-infested Manhattan, searching for her son, Hershel. Season 1 explored their fraught dynamic—Glenn’s death looms large—while Season 2, airing Sundays on AMC and AMC+, deepens Negan’s redemption as he protects Hershel from the villainous Dama. Morgan’s nuanced performance, balancing Negan’s wit with guilt, has earned praise, with Dead City renewed for a third season. Yet, recent episodes have dropped hints that Negan’s story might be nearing a tragic end, sparking fervent debate.

The Tease: Clues Pointing to Negan’s Death

Season 2 of Dead City has woven subtle foreshadowing that suggests Negan could face his demise. In episode 2, Negan’s risky decision to confront New Babylon’s forces to save Hershel puts him in the crosshairs of Dama, a cunning leader who controls Manhattan’s factions. Her chilling warning—“You’re useful now, but cross me, and you’re done”—echoes Negan’s own past threats, hinting at poetic justice. Maggie’s lingering distrust, coupled with Hershel’s betrayal (signaling Dama’s forces), sets up a volatile triangle where Negan’s loyalty could cost him his life.

Narrative parallels to the comics fuel speculation. In Kirkman’s comics, Negan lives beyond the Savior arc, but The Walking Dead TV series has diverged before, killing Carl despite his comic survival. A death mirroring Glenn’s—perhaps at Dama’s hands or sacrificing himself for Maggie—would be a full-circle moment, addressing Maggie’s unresolved grief. Showrunner Eli Jorné has teased “high stakes” for Season 2, with Negan’s arc testing his redemption. Morgan’s comments about Negan having a “soft spot” for Hershel suggest a sacrificial act, like dying to save the boy, could be in play.

Fan discussions online amplify these clues. Some point to Negan’s reflective moments in Season 2, like his admission to Maggie that he’s “not that guy anymore,” as a sign he’s at peace, a common trope before a character’s exit. Others note the franchise’s history of killing major players—Glenn, Carl, Rick (presumed)—arguing AMC might dare to shock fans again. However, Morgan’s star power and Dead City’s focus on his chemistry with Lauren Cohan make his death a risky gamble.

The Case for Negan’s Death

Killing Negan could serve powerful narrative purposes. First, it would resolve Maggie’s arc, offering closure for Glenn’s death. A sacrificial death—saving Maggie or Hershel—could redeem Negan fully, transforming him from villain to hero in her eyes. This aligns with Dead City’s themes of forgiveness and legacy, as Maggie grapples with trusting Negan. Second, it would raise the stakes, proving no character is safe, a hallmark of The Walking Dead’s early seasons. With viewership for the main series dipping to 3 million by 2022, a bold move could rekindle buzz, especially as spinoffs like Daryl Dixon (81% on Rotten Tomatoes) thrive.

Third, Negan’s death could mirror the franchise’s evolution. The Walking Dead has shifted from relentless violence to character-driven stories, with Dead City exploring redemption and trauma. A poignant end for Negan—perhaps echoing Glenn’s selflessness—would fit this tone, contrasting the shock of his Season 7 killings. Morgan’s decade-long passion for Negan, describing the role as “owning his soul,” suggests he’d embrace a meaningful exit, provided it honors the character’s complexity.

The Case Against Killing Negan

Yet, AMC faces significant hurdles in killing Negan. Morgan’s star power is a major draw, with Dead City’s success tied to his dynamic with Cohan. Fans adore Negan’s humor and redemption, with online posts calling him “the best anti-hero since Breaking Bad’s Walter White.” Killing him risks alienating this base, especially after the backlash to Glenn’s death, which cost the show millions of viewers. Dead City’s renewal for Season 3 and potential crossovers with Daryl Dixon suggest Negan’s story has more to offer, perhaps exploring his leadership in Manhattan or a reunion with other survivors.

Narratively, Negan’s death could feel redundant. His redemption is nearly complete, with Maggie softening toward him in Season 2. Killing him might undermine this progress, leaving Maggie’s arc unresolved. The franchise’s spinoffs, like The Ones Who Live and Daryl Dixon, have leaned on fan service, reuniting Rick and Michonne or spotlighting Daryl and Carol. Ending Negan’s arc prematurely could clash with this trend, especially as More Tales from The Walking Dead Universe looms, offering anthology-style stories where Negan could appear.

AMC’s Courage: Will They Do It?

AMC’s history of bold choices—killing Glenn, sparing Negan in Season 8—suggests they might consider Negan’s death if it serves the story. The main series took risks that paid off long-term, like Negan’s redemption, which turned him into a fan-favorite. Dead City’s smaller scale allows for high-stakes drama, and Jorné’s tease of “game-changing” twists in Season 2 fuels speculation. However, the network’s reliance on spinoffs to sustain the franchise, with Daryl Dixon Season 3 and Dead City Season 3 in production, indicates caution. Losing Morgan, a vocal advocate for the Walking Dead universe, could dent the brand’s momentum.

Fan reactions are mixed. Some argue Negan’s death would be a “brave” move, echoing the shock of early seasons, while others insist he’s “too iconic” to kill, advocating for a bittersweet survival arc. The franchise’s streaming success on Netflix (main series) and AMC+ (Dead City, Daryl Dixon) gives AMC flexibility to experiment, but Negan’s popularity—bolstered by Morgan’s charisma—makes his demise a high-risk proposition.

Why the Tease Resonates

The tease of Negan’s death grips fans because it taps into The Walking Dead’s core: the unpredictability of survival. Negan’s journey—from Lucille’s bloody debut to Dead City’s redemption—mirrors the franchise’s evolution, making his fate a litmus test for its boldness. Morgan’s soulful commitment to Negan, paired with Maggie’s unresolved grief, creates emotional stakes that resonate deeply. Whether AMC dares to kill him or keeps him alive, the debate underscores Negan’s status as a cultural icon, one whose every move sparks passionate discourse.

As Dead City unfolds, fans can stream the series on AMC+ or revisit Negan’s arc on Netflix, bracing for what’s next. Will Negan meet his end in Manhattan, or will he defy the odds once more? The Walking Dead thrives on such questions, proving its universe—zombies, heroes, and all—still owns fans’ hearts, just as Negan owns Morgan’s.