The Walking Dead helped pave the way for a new generation of shows that embraced diversity in an even deeper way

The Ringer

"In some respects, The Walking Dead has been dealing with racism all along—not in its fictional fractured America, but in our own," says Ben Lindbergh. "The Walking Dead, which went on hiatus after Sunday’s eighth episode of the season and will conclude with 16 more next year, premiered on AMC 11 years ago this month, at a time when diversity in scripted-cable casts was less of a focus than it’s belatedly become industry-wide." He adds: "The Walking Dead, which for more than a decade has been one of the most-watched shows on TV, increasingly incorporated and promoted diverse characters as the series rose to prominence, consciously steered away from racial stereotypes, and helped serve as a springboard to stardom for several actors of color, helping pave the path to a new generation of shows that embraced diversity in an even deeper way."