Warning: Spoilers for The Walking Dead: The Dead City season 1, episode 4

Simon’s surprise cameo in The Walking Dead: Dead City reveals how the franchise will make use of its old Walking Dead characters. Played by Steven Ogg, the second-in-command of the Saviors memorably met his end in The Walking Dead season 8 as the culmination of his arc during the All-Out War. Although his story has been over for years, the franchise was able to find room for him regardless, via an appearance in The Walking Dead: Dead City.

When The Walking Dead ended, there was a great deal of speculation over what would become of the characters who weren’t part of the spinoffs. The franchise still has stories to tell for Rick, Michonne, Maggie, Negan, Dwight, Carol, and possibly Morgan, but everyone else’s future remains in question. But with The Walking Dead universe continuing through at least three spinoffs, there’s certainly been potential for additional appearance for some of the main show’s fan-favorite characters. Exactly how they’d be utilized, though, was unclear.

Walking Dead Spinoffs Are Bringing Dead Characters Back Via Flashbacks

The Walking Dead - Simon

Thanks to The Walking Dead: Dead City episode 4, the franchise has shed light on how old characters will remain relevant. A flashback in the opening of the episode dove into Negan’s past to provide some much-needed answers on his history with the Croat, a former Savior and the main antagonist of the series. In doing so, the episode brought back Simon, who clashed with the Croat over the killing of a child and ultimately usurped his position as Negan’s right-hand man. This was the extent of Simon’s presence in the episode, but it was enough to allow for some insight into the franchise’s approach to bringing back other Walking Dead characters.

What happened in The Walking Dead: Dead City goes to show how many opportunities the franchise has when it comes to flashbacks. Similar to the situation with Negan and Simon, there are a few other character relationships that go back further than what The Walking Dead showed, meaning that they can be explored in the spinoffs. Plus, there have been so many time skips over the years that there’s all sorts of interesting character interactions that likely happened off-screen. Any of these that are tied to the stories of Negan, Maggie, Daryl, Rick, and Michonne could be worked into a Walking Dead spinoff.

Walking Dead Cameos Will Make The Spinoffs More Exciting

Negan leaning on a banister in TWD.

The idea that shows like The Walking Dead: Dead City can feature unexpected character cameos contribute greatly to the appeal of the Walking Dead spinoffs. If Simon can be brought back, the franchise can also feature surprise guest appearances from Merle, Tara, Jesus, or even Glenn. The prospect of the spinoffs pulling from the characters’ pasts and revisiting old favorites – even if it’s only through flashbacks – makes them all the more exciting.

The Walking Dead: Dead City continues on Sunday on AMC.