'Walking Dead' briefs: Walker Stalker Con Atlanta guest list, 'Ride With Norman Reedus' renewed, Lauren Cohan

Norman Reedus, California, February 2-4, 2016 - The Ride with Norman Reedus _ Season 1, Episode 1 - Photo Credit: Mark Schafer/AMC

Credit: Rodney Ho

Credit: Rodney Ho

Norman Reedus, California, February 2-4, 2016 - The Ride with Norman Reedus _ Season 1, Episode 1 - Photo Credit: Mark Schafer/AMC

By RODNEY HO/ rho@ajc.com, originally filed Friday, September 23, 2016

Norman Reedus' AMC motorcycle travelogue series "Ride" will get a second season.

The "Walking Dead" actor, arguably the most popular in the series, loves riding and it showed in his debut season over the summer. While ratings were only a fraction of what "The Walking Dead" pulls in, that's the case with pretty much any other TV show out there so that's not a fair comparison. "Ride" averaged 800,000 viewers over seven days plus DVR usage.

"We're so excited to continue this journey with Norman Reedus," said Joel Stillerman, president of original programming and development for AMC and SundanceTV, in a press release. "Norman's love of motorcycles and adventure, and his ability to connect with people are the drivers of this series, and we look forward to more great Rides next season."

“I feel like we are just getting started and there are so many amazing places we have yet to go," Reedus added, "The opportunities for the show are endless.”

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Andrew Lincoln and the crew of "The Walking Dead" spends more than six months a year in metro Atlanta shooting the popular drama. CREDIT: Rodney Ho/rho@ajc.com

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

The Atlanta Walker Stalker convention at the Georgia World Congress Center is just five weeks away. Organizers are expecting upwards of 60,000 people over three days. Most of the guests have been locked down and almost all the big shot names from the current cast are coming. Those particular cast members, though, may not make it on Friday but should be there on Saturday and Sunday. Andrew Lincoln is the only one who can only make it Sunday. Here are the notable "Walking Dead" convention guests as of today:

  • Andrew Lincoln (Rick Grimes - Sunday only)
  • Jeffrey Dean Morgan (Negan)
  • Melissa McBride (Carol)
  • Norman Reedus (Daryl Dixon)
  • Lauren Cohan (Maggie)
  • Steven Yeun (Glenn)
  • Danai Gurira (Michonne)
  • Tom Payne (Jesus)
  • Chandler Riggs (Carl)
  • Lennie James (Morgan)
  • Scott Wilson (Hershel)
  • Emily Kinney (Beth)
  • Michael Rooker (Merle)
  • Michael Cudlitz (Abraham)
  • Josh McDermitt (Eugene)
  • Christian Serratos (Rosita)
  • Sonequa Martin-Green (Sasha)
  • Alanna Masterson (Tara)
  • Chad Coleman (Tyreese)
  • Ross Marquand (Aaron)
  • IronE Singleton (T-Dog)
  • Tyler James Williams (Noah)
  • Laurence Gilliard Jr. (Bob)
  • Alexandra Breckenridge (Jessie)
  • Austen Amelio (Dwight)
  • Seth Gilliam (Gabriel)
  • Austin Nichols (Spencer)
  • Jordan Woods-Robinson (Eric)
  • Lorenzo Henrie (Chris, Fear the Walking Dead)
  • Colman Domingo (Victor, Fear the Walking Dead)
  • Mercedes Mason (Ofelia, Fear the Walking Dead)
  • Dahlia Legault (Francine)
  • Madison Lintz (Sophia)
  • Michael Traynor (Nicholas)
  • Kyla Kenedy (Mika)
  • Kenric Green (Scott)
  • Katelyn Nacon (Enid)
  • Jason Douglas (Tobin)
  • Alicia Witt (Paula)

Most VIP tickets are long gone but you can still attend. Go here for details.

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Khary Payton as Ezekiel - The Walking Dead _ Season 7, Episode 3 - Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

AMC Networks President and CEO Josh Sapan is confident "The Walking Dead" franchise will live on for many years.

At Wednesday’s Goldman Sachs Communacopia Conference, he didn't say this in particular but the implication is even if the original "Walking Dead" eventually dies, spinoffs and reboots will amble on. He believes it could have the staying power of various iterations of "Star Trek," still viable as a film series 50 years after its debut on TV.

"['Star Trek'] came and went three times," Sapan said, according to the Wrap. "We do think that we have a franchise [in 'The Walking Dead' and 'Fear the Walking Dead'] that is one of the rare franchises that you occasionally come across in what we do for a living."

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Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

I recently met Lauren Cohan for a moment at Ponce City Market's The Frye Company. She wasn't there for interviews and besides, even if she did, her ability to talk about "The Walking Dead" is probably severely limited.

But it's nice to see the actor in clean clothing!

Jovita Moore of Channel 2 Action News and Atlanta City Councilman Kwanza Hall also got photos with her.

ajc.com

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

Just the fact she is in town doesn't necessarily mean she is still on the show. I'm certain AMC has required the actor or actors who found themselves on the losing end of Lucille, Negan's bat, to lay low and stay in Atlanta until October rolls around. (You would hope they get compensated, too, for the aggravation.)

But it's fair to say of the people Negan may have killed, the pregnant girl Maggie is unlikely. He probably opted for one (or more) of the guys. Right now, betting markets believe it's Abraham and/or Glenn.

"The Walking Dead' returns October 23.

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Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier; Walker - The Walking Dead _ Season 6, Episode 16 - Photo Credit: Gene Page/AMC

Credit: Rodney Ho

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Credit: Rodney Ho

Showrunner Scott Gimple talks to Entertainment Weekly about what Carol and Morgan may face when they meet Ezekiel.

He notes that Ezekiel has managed to make the post-apocalyptic world work for him in a theatrical way. And yes, there will be a tiger on screen, as we've seen in the trailer.