The Walking Dead Cast share emotional goodbyes at their last San Diego Comic-Con

The last San Diego Comic-Con for The Walking Dead was a memorable one to say the least. The emotions poured out of Melissa McBride, and long-time cast mate and friend Norman Reedus was there to comfort the seasoned, and one of the most talented actresses, of our generation.

It was hard for everyone in Hall H during the panel of The Walking Dead’s final episodes. Even host Chris Hardwick got choked up talking about how far he had come with this show. Those of us who have been fans from day one really felt the tidal waves of emotions from everyone on the stage. Here are some words and feelings from all of the cast as they had to say goodbye to Georgia, the set, the crew, and the rest of the cast of The Walking Dead.

Chris Hardwick asked Norman Reedus how he was able to process the ending of the show. Daryl Dixon was not in the comics, but Norman brought him to life and has now become one of the most popular and beloved characters of our time.

"”Process all this. I don’t know I might cry actually. I’ve made some of my best friends on the show.” He says as he motions to Melissa McBride. “It’s started off as such this pure little thing, and did it in the woods. Everybody had each other’s backs. It’s like such a pure thing. There was no agents, management, there was no Hollywood around us. Every actor would show up. There was so much respect. It just grew into this huge show. We held onto that core belief system. Of doing it for real and a sense of family. I’ve said it a million times, but it’s not just our show it’s OUR show.” Reedus says as he motions to the crowd. “It’s literally been like that since day one. We got fuel from you guys. So to be here and process it’s rough but feels great, don’t get me wrong. But I kind of just want to cry and also make out with everyone at the same time.”"

Chris then went on to Melissa McBride and uttered these words to the long-time fan favorite. “Carol is such an amazing, epic, and wonderful character I’ve been so grateful to get to know you over these years. And I appreciate you and appreciate your work and I love how much the fans love Carol.” He asked her to describe how she feels or can talk about any surprising moments, experiences or anything she felt like sharing.

The phenomal actress was emotional from the start wanting to say so much but the heart strings got the best of her. When she spoke the crowd was cheering her on as she received comfort from both Norman Reedus and cast mate Josh McDermitt. “Oh gosh..” She says as fans scream they love her, to which she replied she loves them too. “This whole experience has been amazing, out of this world. Never thought it would become what it became. For myself, for everybody else up here, there’s so much I want to say but I swear to God it get’s stuck.” Melissa explains as emotions betray her again.

”I’m a little nervous but I can’t hide it like Norman does.” She wipes more tears and admits this happens every time for her. The nerves, anxiety, and emotions of saying goodbye was extremely hard for her. You could tell just how much the character of Carol means to Melissa McBride, and what the impact she has on so many people means. She touches her heart to the cheering fans on her impact and lets them all know she’s just so grateful.

Up next, for Chris Hardwick to question was Josh McDermitt. The actor of famously funny Eugene Porter. ”So much of Eugene is what you brought to him. You really created this wonderful character beyond the comics and added to him. Is there anything special about Eugene that you feel connected to,  or sort of the Eugenest moment over the years?”

”I mean I just like how he adapts to every situation. To survive when we meet him he has a lot of selfish motivation there. He obviously wants to stay alive for himself but as he grows as a person he starts to include his friends. In trying to keep them alive. He’s just always adapting and I think that’s just great. I wouldn’t survive myself in the apocalypse if that happened. If we went to that I would try and take Eugenes knowledge then I would get shot right away.”

Ross Marquand plays the very lovable Aaron whom we’ve gotten to know well over these years. Chris asks him what he is most proud of what he is taking away from this whole experience.

Ross immediately began his words with he’s going to start crying. “I think the weirdest thing is for me I was a fan of the show many years. That I got to the set and I remember meeting Andy first, he gave me a great big hug. He stayed in character the whole time and said welcome to the family, and I was like holy shit that’s Rick Grimes.” That was Ross’s most surreal moment of the show and he said it has stayed that surreal ever since. Admitting it’s going to be weird when it’s over he’s spent 8 years on this show and a lot of people have spent even more.

Then it was Seth Gilliam’s turn, the actor who portrays the newly evolved Gabriel Stokes. From being a guy seasons ago who did not want to come out of the church. The fear that he had to a man who has developed so much in Gabriel. Chris asks what has this experience has been like for him.

“It’s to borrow Ross’s word it’s been surreal. To go from my very first moment was standing on top of the rock screaming and screaming and screaming and then I look down and there were all these people. I’d just been power watching for the last 8 hours of the last four seasons from my home and Netflix. Standing there performing and talking to me it was surreal. Being here with thousands of people in this audience who has been following this show for as long as they have, and the commitment they have to it and the love they have for it. It’s been pretty magical. My character arc was a great deal of fun to play. I don’t think I could have imagined it going where it’s gone. That’s the beauty of story telling I guess.”

Lauren Ridloff is one of the new faces to the show but has been an impactful for representation of the deaf community. Chris Hardwick had to take the chance to ask her what her journey has been like.

”Oh wild. I can’t even believe the fact that I’m here with everybody up on stage. I’m such a huge fan of this show way back from the day I was a Kindergarten teacher. I followed The Walking Dead and now here I am. Right now I haven’t really felt like I’ve let that classroom. The classroom just got a lot bigger.” Ridloff says as she explains a lot of people now ask her how to survive and apocalypse. So she in turn still feels like a teacher.

Cailey Fleming who plays Judith Grimes said she loves how Judith is a fierce fighter who will do whatever it takes to protect her family, which she respects a lot. She has had a blast playing Judith and can’t wait for everyone to see what they’ve come up with the final episodes. We hope to see her and Judith again soon and reunite with her father Rick Grimes in the upcoming Rick and Michonne spinoff in 2023.

Michael James Shaw was thrown in just the last two seasons but he has brought Mercer to life. An unforgettable character in the comics and now the show. Hardwick asked what was the experience like for him coming on and thrust into the mix.

”First of all I want to thank everyone for coming out today. There is some beautiful energy in here.” Michael says to the crowd. “What a beautiful journey this has all been. Diving into the deep end of The Walking Dead and getting to play a character that I never imagined myself fitting in his shoes. He’s stronger, wiser, and more tactical than I could ever be. But it’s been a joy. I had to pinch myself every morning.”

Christian Serratos and Khary Payton could not be there but sent all their love to the fans. We give our own gratitude to everyone who has been a part of this show, and look forward to what’s left to come in The Walking Dead Universe. As it is ever changing and continues to expand. The Walking Dead will be back on October 2nd on AMC and AMC Plus to conclude the final 8 episodes. Tune in to see if your favorite heroes survive.