Speculation is growing about a possible Steven Yeun Glenn Walking Dead return after Scott Gimple, the franchise’s chief creative officer, shared candid thoughts about revisiting Glenn’s character. The topic continues to intrigue devoted fans, who remain captivated by how Glenn Rhee’s fate in The Walking Dead universe might evolve in future episodes or spinoffs.
Scott Gimple Reflects on Bringing Glenn Back
Scott Gimple recently addressed long-standing fan curiosity in an interview, revealing that he often considers how to bring Steven Yeun’s Glenn back into The Walking Dead storyline, especially in the spinoff series Dead City. He acknowledged Yeun’s hectic acting schedule but did not dismiss the possibilities entirely, stating:
“I think it comes to mind all the time. In some ways, it’s a pretty obvious way to go. But it would obviously be enjoyable for all of us. Steven is a remarkably busy dude, though – not to say that these folks aren’t. You never know, I guess I’d say, but we never went that far with it.”
—Scott Gimple, The Walking Dead Chief Content Officer
Glenn has remained a beloved figure in the zombie franchise, introduced at the show‘s beginning and closely tied to key characters like Maggie Greene, portrayed by Lauren Cohan, and Negan Smith, played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Glenn’s powerful connection with Maggie became central to the show, making his brutal death at the hands of Negan in season 7 especially devastating.
Glenn’s Impact on the Series and Its Audience
The loss of Glenn left many fans shaken and remains one of the most memorable moments in The Walking Dead history. Negan’s dramatic violence, including the notorious episode
“The Day Will Come When You Won’t Be,”
deeply affected viewers and even led some to stop watching, according to Ross Marquand. The close bonds between Glenn, Maggie, and Negan continued to influence plotlines even after Glenn’s exit.
“we lost a lot of fans”
—Ross Marquand, Actor (Aaron on The Walking Dead)
Since his departure from The Walking Dead, Steven Yeun has built an impressive body of work, with starring roles in television and film. Yeun played a memorable part in an episode of Jordan Peele’s reboot of The Twilight Zone and portrayed Danny Cho on Netflix’s acclaimed series Beef, which he also executive produced. His big-screen credits include leading roles in Jordan Peele’s 2022 horror movie Nope and the anticipated sci-fi film Mickey 17 by Bong Joon Ho. Yeun has further demonstrated his versatility through animated voice work, bringing characters like Steve Palchuk in Trollhunters and Keith in Voltron: Legendary Defender to life. Upcoming appearances include a part in The Legend of Aang: The Last Airbender.
Fan Theories and Steven Yeun’s Perspective
For many fans, the desire to see Glenn return has never waned, prompting regular speculation about Yeun’s willingness to reprise his iconic role. Yet, Yeun himself regards Glenn’s story as having reached a definite conclusion, as he commented in a 2018 IndieWire interview:
“Everyone felt it. I wasn’t pining to be off the show. It was just the story, and you service the story. Also, there’s something very beautiful about the end, turning the page and closing the book.”
—Steven Yeun, Actor (Glenn Rhee)
Despite Yeun’s thoughtful acceptance of Glenn’s fate, the character‘s importance continues to echo throughout the franchise, affecting how viewers relate to Maggie, Negan, and the franchises’ subsequent storylines.
The Role of The Walking Dead: Dead City and Other Cast Members
Dead City, a spinoff featuring Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s Negan Smith and Lauren Cohan’s Maggie Greene, premiered in June 2023 and quickly generated buzz for its intense character dynamics. The show, which includes cast members such as Logan Kim, Lisa Emery, Željko Ivanek, Gaius Charles, Keir Gilchrist, and Dascha Polanco, wrapped its second season finale on June 22, 2025. Although AMC has not yet confirmed a third season, demand and popularity could drive further episodes.
One particularly memorable detail for fans is Negan’s ongoing attachment to his infamous bat, Lucille, a symbol deeply associated with pivotal moments in the franchise and Glenn’s death. The continued interplay between old and new characters in Dead City keeps the spirit of the original series alive as the franchise explores fresh narrative possibilities and character arcs.
What Glenn’s Possible Return Would Mean
Bringing Glenn back, even briefly, would carry significant emotional weight for The Walking Dead universe and its devoted fanbase. Whether through flashbacks, alternative timelines, or other narrative devices, the presence of Steven Yeun and the lasting legacy of Glenn Rhee would reinvigorate storylines and could deepen the character arcs of Maggie Greene, Negan Smith, and new figures like Timo and Danny Cho. While nothing is confirmed, discussions by Scott Gimple and ongoing excitement from viewers make clear that the idea of a Steven Yeun Glenn Walking Dead return is as compelling as ever, keeping hopes alive as the franchise looks ahead to possible new chapters.
