As a result of Melissa McBride’s departure from a Walking Dead spinoff previously announced, which was planned to revolve on her role as Carol Peletier and Reedus’ role as Daryl Dixon, the Walking Dead actor, 56, came to the rescue of his co-star Norman Reedus on social media.
“Some of you have gone WAY too far. TOXIC. Attacking norm for crap he has NOTHING to do with? Melissa made a call that was hers alone,” Jeffrey Dean Morgan shared his thoughts on Twitter on Friday. “She wants/needs a break. Respect that. Factors involved that are nobody’s business. Norm, who’s given more than anyone to you all. Just S—–.”
McBride’s decision to withdraw from the series, according to an AMC statement issued on its Twitter page on Friday, was made “because relocating to Europe became logistically untenable for her.”
“Norman Reedus is being unfairly targeted and attacked in social media for a decision he had no part in,” the statement read. “It is inappropriate to direct negativity and anger at another cast member for a disappointing outcome he had nothing to do with.”
They added, “Carol is a beloved & vital character and we are working to find a way for fans to again follow her story, as only Melissa could give life to, in the expanding universe around The Walking Dead. The fans have always been the driving force behind #TWDFamily and always will be.”
Earlier this week, an AMC spokeswoman told Entertainment Weekly that McBride “is no longer able to participate in the previously announced spin-off focused on the Daryl Dixon and Carol Peletier characters, which will be set and filmed in Europe this summer and premiere next year.”
Premiered in 2010, The Walking Dead is a hit television show that also stars Khalil Payton, Ross Marquand, Seth Gilliam, Josh McDermitt, Christian Serratos and Danai Gurira.
