Fear the Walking Dead is reportedly moving to Georgia, leaving a lot to unpack

Fear the Walking Dead is reportedly on the move again. The show will film the as-yet unannounced season 8 in Georgia according to the Austin Chronicle. The uncertainty surrounding Texas film incentives is cited as a major reason why the production is leaving when AMC had previously suggested that Texas would be the permanent home for the series. The move is an interesting one, both from a production and story standpoint.

Austin has been the home base of the show for almost five years and Austin Film Commission director Brian Gannon notes that losing the show “is a significant loss” for the region after it “created consistent, well-paying jobs for close to five years.”

Given that the show largely films on location rather than relying on sound stages, the number of people needed to bring the show to life is well north of a hundred. The loss of filming incentives, likely coupled with the anger aimed at Texas abortion laws, factored into the decision that will no doubt impact countless people and businesses who worked on the show. 

As The Walking Dead wraps up production, there are lots of reasons that a move to Georgia (Savannah, specifically) is a good idea. With The Walking Dead rooted in Georgia, there are already production locations and teams of people familiar with the universe in place so the transition is nearly seamless. 

The biggest benefit is also the more interesting one: If Fear TWD moves to Georgia in season 8, it signals a possible change in the landscape for the characters. 

This isn’t the first time Fear TWD has moved locations. The story began in Los Angeles in season 1 (filmed between Los Angeles and Vancouver) before moving to Baja California for seasons 2 and 3. 

Season 4 was a big shift as the show relocated to Texas, where it has remained through season 7. However, after nuclear missiles detonated at the end of season 6, it’s possible that the move in season 8 signals a big shift in the story.

Now that Texas has been reduced to a nuclear wasteland, it makes sense for the survivors to leave the area. It’s entirely possible that Morgan (Lennie James) leads his friends toward Alexandria hoping to reunite with his old friends in the crossover that everyone has been waiting for.

Fans know that Alexandria is in pretty rough shape after the Whisperers laid waste to the community in season 10. Season 11 has seen a group of survivors welcomed to the Commonwealth, a thriving city of over fifty thousand people. According to the comic books, the survivors ultimately end up at the Commonwealth, leaving Alexandria entirely.

With the Alexandria set (located in Senoia, GA) available, perhaps a crossover is in Fear the Walking Dead’s future.