The Walking Dead invades New York as zombies roam Manhattan streets, ride subways, and even make it to a Mets game in a massive promotional takeover for Season 2 of “Dead City.”
At a Glance
- “The Walking Dead: Dead City” Season 2 premieres May 4 at 9 p.m. on AMC and AMC+
- Manhattan is being overrun with zombies at iconic locations including Penn Station, Empire State Building, and Radio City Music Hall
- Stars Lauren Cohan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan will throw the first pitch at a Mets game with zombies in attendance
- The promotional campaign features special editions of the New York Post and zombie appearances at multiple city landmarks
- The series is the franchise’s first direct sequel, set in post-apocalyptic New York City
Zombies Take Manhattan By Storm
New York City has faced its share of challenges, but this week brings a new kind of invasion as “The Walking Dead: Dead City” launches a series of promotional events across Manhattan. Starting April 27, zombies (or “walkers” as they’re known in the franchise) will begin appearing throughout the city, starting with the NYCRUNS Brooklyn Experience Half Marathon in Prospect Park. Runners who survive the race will be treated to a special post-run activation featuring giveaways and photo opportunities with the undead.
The takeover intensifies on April 29 when walkers will infiltrate Penn Station during rush hour, visit PopUpBagels on Seventh Avenue, and even make appearances at the AMC Networks office. For fans of the show, these sightings offer a rare opportunity to experience the post-apocalyptic world up close. The walking dead will also be spotted at iconic NYC landmarks including the Empire State Building and Radio City Music Hall, transforming the city into a real-life version of the show’s setting.
Stars and Zombies Take the Field
One of the most anticipated events in this undead takeover will occur at Citi Field, where stars Lauren Cohan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan will throw the first pitch at a Mets game. Adding to the spectacle, Mets players will use replica versions of “Lucille” – Negan’s infamous barbed-wire bat – during batting practice. Fans attending the game can expect merchandise giveaways and the unsettling presence of zombies lurking in the crowd, bringing a whole new meaning to the seventh-inning stretch.
“I’m really excited for fans to see what’s in store! This takeover is one of the biggest and most interactive experiences ‘The Walking Dead’ has ever done, and is the perfect way to kick off the new season.”, said Lauren Cohan.
The New York Post is getting in on the action with special promotional editions featuring “The Walking Dead: Dead City” branding. In a particularly creative stunt, zombies were spotted reading these special editions at Penn Station, combining two quintessential New York experiences – the daily commute and unexpected street performances – into one unsettling promotional event that caught many commuters by surprise.
A Perfect Match: Dead City and The Big Apple
AMC Networks’ marketing team recognizes the perfect synergy between the show’s setting and its real-world promotional activities. “New York City is the ultimate backdrop for the return of these fan-favorite characters, and the perfect place to deliver unique ‘only in NY’ moments for Dead City’s massive fandom.
From walker sightings and events at iconic locations to fan screenings and cast appearances, we’re taking over the Big Apple one bite at a time,” explained Kim Granito, AMC Networks’ chief marketing officer.
For die-hard fans, a special Rooftop Films Advance Screening of the Season 2 premiere will take place on April 28, followed by a Q&A session with the cast and executive producers. This gives the most dedicated viewers a chance to see the new episodes before the official premiere on May 4 and interact with the creative team behind the show. The series, which features Cohan and Morgan reprising their roles as Maggie and Negan, is the fifth television series in “The Walking Dead” franchise and the first direct sequel to the original show.
A Franchise Evolution
As the “Walking Dead” franchise continues to expand, “Dead City” represents an important evolution in the zombie apocalypse storyline. Set in a post-apocalyptic New York City, the series explores the complex relationship between Maggie and Negan, two characters with a deeply troubled history. Joining Cohan and Morgan are cast members Gaius Charles, Dascha Polanco, Kim Coates, with franchise overseer Scott M. Gimple serving as executive producer.
For a franchise that has dominated television for over a decade, these New York City events demonstrate that there’s still plenty of life in the “Walking Dead” universe. As the zombies prepare to reclaim Manhattan on screen, their real-world counterparts are ensuring that New Yorkers – and fans across the country – won’t forget that Season 2 of “The Walking Dead: Dead City” premieres May 4 on AMC and AMC+.
