The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon writer Laura Snow tells us about shaping Daryl's story (Exclusive)

Ahead of the permiere of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 2 — The Book of Carol, we were able to catch up with Laura Snow, who's served as a writer on both seasons of the show so far, writing the new adventures of our titular survivor as he washes up in zombie-infested France.

Daryl Dixon season 1 offered a fresh and unique take on the zombie apocalypse, taking fans to Europe, while also continuing the story of fan-favorite hero Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus). Season 2, subtitled The Book of Carol, continues Daryl's story in France, where he now lives in a new community inside the iconic commune at Mont Saint-Michel. And of course, Carol is now on her way to France to join him.

We talked with Laura Snow about her experience working on the series. Check out our interview below!

WiC: For our readers, tell us about your involvement in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. Which episodes did you work on?

Laura Snow: I was in the writers’ room for seasons one and two of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, and I co-wrote the season one finale, which gave me more of a hand in shaping that script and telling that particular story. The best part about being in a writers’ room is the collaborative aspect – in most rooms, every writer works on every episode. Together we figure out the stories we want to tell, the arcs for the season, and what each episode will look like. Once this is nailed down, a writer is assigned an episode, and they go off to write that script.

The Walking Dead has one of the most passionate followings on TV. Do you feel any added pressure when writing for a show with such an enormous and vocal following?

Of course! It’s an honor to continue building out this universe. There is added pressure because you want to craft stories and arcs that are not only entertaining but also satisfying for the fans who have followed Daryl from the beginning.

Even with the added pressure, it feels like a gift – after 11 seasons of the flagship show, we’ve come to know Daryl pretty well, and it’s exciting to explore new situations for him while staying true to his character and the world. At the end of the day, it’s about giving Daryl new adventures that feel fresh while still honoring the journey that got him here in the first place.

Daryl Dixon is one of the most beloved characters in the franchise. What challenges did you face when writing a new journey for him, exploring new layers of his personality?

Writing for Daryl was so much fun – he’s one of the most beloved characters in the franchise for a reason. We wanted to take him on a journey we haven’t seen him on before. This was a challenge we were all up for, and added so much to our discussions in the writers' room. We know him, we love him, and that made us that much more invested in the stories we’re telling about him.

Every decision felt significant because we wanted to give him the growth and challenges that feel earned after all these seasons. There’s something special about being able to push a character like Daryl into new territories while keeping everything that made him so iconic intact.

The French setting adds a new and unique atmosphere to the show. How did the unique setting influence your writing, in terms of plot and character development?

First of all, apocalyptic Europe is visually stunning and such an incredible backdrop for this story. Playing with the French setting was a blast because you have these iconic set pieces at locations like the Eiffel Tower, the Paris catacombs, the French countryside, Omaha Beach, and Mont Saint-Michel! It’s amazing to be able to tell these stories in such epic settings. This also means that Daryl, as someone who has never left the U.S. prior to this, can be dropped into a true fish-out-of-water story. I think anyone who’s traveled to a new place, especially a foreign country for the first time, can relate to that.

What’s even more exciting is seeing how Daryl navigates this unfamiliar terrain, not just geographically but culturally too, all while staying true to his survival instincts. The contrast between these beautiful, historical locations and the dangers of the post-apocalyptic world adds a whole new layer of tension and excitement to his journey.

What’s your process when it comes to writing new stories in a universe that’s already told so many? How do you inject fresh ideas?

Even though TWDU has definitely covered a lot of ground, there are still so many stories to explore. The challenges and dangers that Walkers bring, and the unique situations we can put these characters in, are endless, which is the beauty of a show like this. We got to play with different Walker variants, like burners and supercharged Walkers, which adds an exciting twist to the familiar danger.

Personally, I like to focus on the characters' emotional journeys and what they’re going through. Even though Daryl exists in a genre world, at the heart of it, it's always about the characters and their stories – how they deal with survival, crisis, and the choices they make. That’s what makes the show relatable and compelling. It’s always fun to put yourself in their shoes and imagine what you’d do in their situation, facing impossible odds while holding onto your humanity.

Do you have a favorite character to write? If so, who is it and why?

Other than Daryl, I really enjoy writing Laurent. He’s so much fun, he’s sympathetic, and I love the relationship he and Daryl build over the first season. There’s something magical about the way Daryl responds to this kid who is discovering the world for the first time and looking to him for guidance.

Watching Daryl, someone so hardened by years of survival, slowly open up and take on a protective role for Laurent creates a really compelling dynamic. Their bond feels like the heart of the season, which is a nice contrast to the chaos around them. It’s a mix of mentorship and reluctant fatherhood, and it’s been incredibly rewarding to explore that connection as it grows.

When collaborating with the larger team, how do you ensure that your collective ideas align with the overall vision of the series?

We are lucky to have a fantastic showrunner, David Zabel, who is a true pro and a great leader. He has a clear vision for the series and, at the same time, is open to the ideas everyone brings to the room. This creates an environment where creativity can thrive, allowing us to collaborate in the best way possible.

The balance of direction and openness he provides means we’re not just following a blueprint, but really building something together, which is the best part about working in TV. It’s this collaborative energy that keeps the process exciting and the storytelling fresh.

What draws you to the post-apocalyptic genre? What about The Walking Dead inspires you to create stories within its world?

The world-building, for sure. Exploring the stakes while playing within the rules of this world, and immersing characters into this unique world is thrilling. It's so different from the world we live in, but at the same time, there's still a sense of familiarity. I think everyone watching any show in TWDU can’t help imagining what they would do if they found themselves in a place like this.

We thank Laura Snow for her time. The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon season 2 — The Book of Carol premieres September 29 on AMC.

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