In the walker-ridden world of AMC’s The Walking Dead, where survival often trumps any humor, Cooper Andrews’ Jerry stands out for his unwavering optimism and seemingly effortless comedic flair. As King Ezekiel’s devoted, loyal bodyguard, Jerry brings a refreshing lightness that has made him a serious fan favorite and a prime candidate for his own series. At the rate AMC is pumping out new TWD titles, a Jerry-centric comedy spinoff could help usher the franchise into a new era with a refreshing tonal shift.
The Walking Dead franchise already has multiple spin-offs, including Fear the Walking Dead, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, Tales of the Walking Dead, Dead City, and Daryl Dixon. So many corners of the world have already been explored, yet the tone hasn’t changed all that much, remaining dark, intense, and survival-focused. While fans continue to tune in, there’s a growing risk of fatigue if the creators don’t start to take some risks or experiment with new genres. Jerry’s own action-comedy or horror-comedy could be a breath of fresh air for both the audience and the post-apocalyptic universe.
Jerry’s Legendary Run in The Walking Dead![walking dead Jerry spinoff (2)]()
The intro of Andrews’ character in Season 7 immediately set him apart. Amidst the death, despair, and controversial violence of the season, Jerry’s totally contagious joy and funny quips provided a welcome respite.
Jerry wasn’t just comedic relief. He was also a warrior, a leader, and a beacon of light in an increasingly dark world. His journey from cheerful bodyguard to devoted husband and father also brought a lot of depth to what might have otherwise been a flat or two-dimensional character. Here are just a few of his best moments:
- "Wrath" (Season 8, Episode 16): When Ezekiel remarks, "To justify everything we've lost, we must risk losing everything," Jerry responds with a resounding, "We're not losing sh*t."
- "Family" (Season 11, Episode 23): Jerry uses the phrase "piece of cobbler" to downplay the peril of venturing into a mass of zombies to find his friends; a callback to his intro in Season 7, where his love of cobbler is established.
- "Some Guy" (Season 8, Episode 4): Following a devastating ambush, King Ezekiel tells Jerry he doesn't need to address him formally. Jerry insists, "Dude... yes, I do." Not to mention every other time he says "dude" throughout the series.
- "The Calm Before" (Season 9, Episode 15): Jerry displays a joyful reaction to the fair at the Kingdom, exclaiming, "This is the best day ever!" It's great moment showing his enduring optimism and ability to find happiness amidst chaos.
Possible Spin-Off Concepts for Jerry
A novel approach could reinvigorate the franchise, attracting both longtime fans and perhaps even new viewers. By leaning into humor while keeping the stakes high, a Jerryified series could strike a balance between levity and survival, much like Shaun of the Dead did for the zombie genre.
"Jerry’s Kingdom" (Action Comedy, Survival Drama)
Taking place after the fall of the original Kingdom, this series would follow Jerry as he attempts to establish a new safe haven and fill the large shoes of his once-master, Ezekiel. Jerry would be forced to navigate complex community-building in a post-apocalyptic world, which would put his lighthearted nature to the test. With threats lurking around every corner, he would have to balance diplomacy, defense, and day-to-day survival, all while somehow maintaining his optimism.
"Jerry and the Road Warriors" (Action Comedy, Post-Apocalyptic Adventure)
In this hypothetical series, Jerry could lead a roving group of survivors on wild supply runs, encountering new, strange survivor groups and walker-infested settings. Imagine a Mad Max meets Zombieland, with Jerry’s charm leading the charge. It could be highly episodic, with each episode featuring a new location, a new challenge, and a mix of action, adventure, and comedy.
"Family Matters: Apocalypse Edition" (Sitcom, Horror Comedy)
Maybe more of a joke than a serious pitch, this show would follow Jerry, his wife Nabila, and their kids as they deal with the absurd realities of raising a family in a zombie-ridden land. From teaching the kids how to fight walkers to teaching basic table manners, it would be a survivalist family comedy with heart. Imagine a world where PTA meetings involve discussions on how to reinforce the school against zombies. Pure comedic gold?
"The Ones Who Live – Jerry’s Story" (Dark Comedy, Survival Thriller)
As superfans have pointed out, Jerry’s name was mentioned in the Rick and Michonne miniseries, The Ones Who Live, sparking speculation about his fate. Perhaps this spinoff of a spinoff could follow Jerry as he crosses paths with the mysterious CRM, offering dark humor and suspense as he uncovers their secrets. While dark humor has been used throughout many TWD projects, this series would take it to the next level with a deeply absurd and ironic tone. The combo of his humor and the darker themes of CRM’s experiments might make for a fascinating contrast and a unique addition to The Walking Dead mythos.
"Jerry & Ezekiel’s Excellent Adventure" (Buddy Comedy, Road Trip Drama)
A prequel idea has been floating around in online discourse for a while now. It’s centered on Jerry and Ezekiel’s bromance as they travel the wasteland together, helping survivors and rebuilding civilization and the Kingdom — the ultimate buddy comedy with heart. Their relationship was one of the most beloved in The Walking Dead, and many fans have said they’d love to see more of the dynamic duo.
Cooper Andrews’ Own Idea: A Post-Apocalyptic… Cooking Show?
Andrews himself has pitched a spin-off idea that adds an entirely new layer of absurdity to the Walking Dead universe: a cooking competition with high stakes. Inspired by shows like The Great British Bake Off, his concept would feature survivors competing in food challenges — except the loser would face dire consequences. He also suggested titles like Baking with the Kingdom or Kingdom Cobblers, where losing contestants would be forced to fight off a horde of walkers on their own. In an interview with Business Insider, Andrews joked:
"I really think they can utilize some cooking shows on there. How to survive in different areas. 'Hunting with Norman.'"
A horror-comedy-mockumentary hybrid spin-off would certainly blend survivalist skills with a reality show format, but it would likely be too ironic to be a serious addition to The Walking Dead franchise. Watching contestants struggle to make gourmet meals from scavenged supplies while Jerry cheers them on (or grimaces at their failures) sounds more like a Saturday Night Live skit than a realistic TWD concept. Still, it’s possible AMC was taking notes, and is keeping this bizarre idea in their back pocket.
Fans are Keeping Fingers Crossed for a Jerry Series
Following in the footsteps of comedic spinoffs like Star Trek: Lower Decks, and zombie parodies like Shawn of the Dead and Zombieland, a Jerry-centric show would not only celebrate a beloved character, but could also introduce a new blend of action and comedy to The Walking Dead franchise. With so many potential storylines, Jerry’s infectious positivity and warrior spirit deserve another go at survival in the post-apocalyptic world.
