Could The Walking Dead really last twenty years? Well … in theory

The idea of The Walking Dead being on for twenty seasons is the sort of statement that requires a spit-take. Very few shows last anywhere close to that long. If you look at the ones that have, you’re speaking for the most part about procedurals, and shows that don’t have much of a consistent story from one episode to the next.

However, showrunner Scott M. Gimple wants you to think for a minute that such a thing is possible. Specifically, here is what he said (per the New York Daily News) while at PaleyFest recently:

“We are trying to do 20 years. The [Walking Dead] comic has certainly done it, and I look forward to every issue … The Simpsons has been on 26, 27 years, so that’s a challenge—so O.K., challenge accepted.”

If the ratings stayed consistent, we could see the show managing to stick around for a rather long time … but twenty years seems almost like too lofty a goal. The ratings are already the lowest they’ve been in years, and sooner or later, you do have to think that there would be some people interested in moving on and doing other things. It was easier for The Simpsons to lock in voice actors for that long given that they don’t have to be in front of the camera, and it’s a very different experience in terms of total hours.

We actually think that The Walking Dead would be best suited from setting an end date at this point, that way we knew precisely what the series was building do. We do admit that this is going to be a tough thing for AMC to try and do, given the fact that we’re talking about their biggest moneymaker and a show that’s really exploded their brand outward. Thanks to doing this show, they’re able to take on so many things that they were not able to do previously.

At least for now, we know that The Walking Dead will be airing another new episode on Sunday, and this marked the end of season 7. Meanwhile, the eighth season will premiere in the fall, and it feels all but assured that we’re going to see the show come back for a ninth season given that the ratings are still great and we haven’t gotten any indication otherwise.

How long do you think The Walking Dead could last? Share in the comments, and head over here if interested in getting a preview for the finale. (Photo: AMC.)