The Walking Dead: Dead City might have just found its new protagonist in Hershel

The Walking Dead: Dead City has long been Maggie and Negan’s show, but Season 2 trailers hint that young Hershel might just steal the spotlight. Having first appeared in Season 9 of The Walking Dead, Hershel Rhee’s journey from kidnapped boy to potential leading figure has fans buzzing that the spin‑off might have just found its new protagonist in Hershel.

Logan Kim, who takes on the role, has teased that the character will “have a lot more to do now that he’s not kidnapped,” suggesting a deeper arc ahead. With eight episodes unfolding across a war‑torn Manhattan, this season promises to transform Hershel from peripheral focus into emotional core of the story.

Hershel steps into the spotlight in season 2 of Dead City

Hershel Rhee, Maggie and Glenn’s teenage son, first showed up in Season 9 of the original series before making his spinoff debut in Dead City’s inaugural run. In Season 2, Hershel officially gains main character status, moving beyond a plot device into a fully realized figure whose decisions drive the narrative forward. CBR notes that

“Maggie and Hershel are now the beating heart of Dead City,” highlighting the mother‑son bond as this season’s emotional fulcrum.

As AMC’s cameras follow Hershel through abandoned subway tunnels and flooded streets, Logan Kim’s portrayal anchors the show’s exploration of inherited trauma and survival instincts. By sharing screen time with veterans like Lauren Cohan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Hershel’s journey underscores not just his own coming of age, but the shifting dynamics of a world where youth must often lead.

Critics and audiences weigh in on Dead City’s new direction

Early reviews praise Season 2 for breaking new ground. Critics applaud the series for “surprising us” even 350 episodes into the franchise, singling out Hershel’s inherited trauma arc as a welcome fresh angle. Collider, however, finds the pacing “limping along,” cautioning that a sprawling ensemble sometimes dilutes core storylines. On Rotten Tomatoes, critics are engaging with Season 2 at levels comparable to the debut, noting that shifting focus to a younger character offers both risk and reward.

Among audiences, opinions vary: some Redditors lament that Negan and Maggie still dominate, while others celebrate Hershel’s rise as overdue recognition of his character’s potential. Behind the scenes, bleedingcool reports that showrunner Eli Jorné and the cast have been eager to explore the sibling‑like bond between Maggie and Hershel, hinting at high‑stakes moments that could redefine alliances in Manhattan.

With the premiere set for May 4 and eight episodes on the slate, viewers can expect a season that balances political power plays, gruesome set‑pieces, and the formative journey of a once‑missing boy turned protagonist.

The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 2 isn’t just another chapter—it’s a passing of the torch to a new generation. As Hershel emerges from his mother’s shadow, this character‑driven turn may just make him the alpha survivor we didn’t know we needed.

Jasmine is a journalist for Primetimer

She graduated with a B.A. in English Literature from Sophia College in Mumbai, where she had the unique opportunity to publish research in social science and media.

Jasmine holds more than three years of experience including an ex-Founder's role at a digital marketing agency called 'Very Weird'. Additionally, she also had stints as a journalist at GrowMeOrganic and Scatter Content. She also worked in the Social Media Management team for beauty and wellness brands, Green Maven and Yoga House Mumbai.

Jasmine is a strict follower of ethics in journalism and stays updated with industry developments in order to improve her craft. She is committed to presenting diverse perspectives, which enriches her storytelling and enhances the relevance of her articles in today’s dynamic media landscape.