The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 3, premiering September 7, 2025, filmed in Spain with a thrilling train sequence and new cast.
Dive into The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 3, premiering September 7, 2025, filmed in Spain with a thrilling train sequence and new cast. Read now!
Introduction
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 3, premiering September 7, 2025, on AMC and AMC+, takes Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride’s iconic characters to Spain, a fresh backdrop for the zombie saga. After two seasons in France, the show’s third chapter dives into a post-apocalyptic Spain, filmed across 22 municipalities, including a standout train sequence in Aragón.
New cast members like Eduardo Noriega, Óscar Jaenada, and Stephen Merchant join the fray, bringing local flavor. Why does this matter? The shift to Spain, with its rich history and diverse landscapes, adds depth to the Walking Dead universe, while the show’s 95% Spanish crew ensures authenticity. Fans on X are buzzing about the Western vibes and Fede, Jaenada’s tough leader. Let’s unpack the filming locations, cast, and that hyped train scene.
Why Spain for Daryl Dixon Season 3?
Spain’s diverse regions and history make it a perfect setting for the show’s post-apocalyptic narrative. Filming spanned eight autonomous communities, including Galicia, Aragón, and Catalonia, over 10 months.
Why it matters: Spain’s varied landscapes, from Galicia’s lush coasts to Belchite’s war-torn ruins, reflect the apocalypse’s global impact. Executive producer Steve Squillante told Variety Spain’s cultural diversity mirrors California’s, adding a fresh lens.
How it’s done: The production used 38 locations, with 95% Spanish crew, ensuring local authenticity. Dialogues feature Spanish, Catalan, and Galician, per El Output.
Common mistakes: Overusing iconic landmarks like Barcelona’s Sagrada Família risks cliché visuals. If the show leans too American, it loses Spain’s unique vibe.
Consequences: Ignoring local culture could alienate Spanish viewers, who make up a key AMC+ audience after Season 1’s record-breaking premiere.
X posts from July 2025 show fans excited for Spain’s “new canvas” but wary of inauthentic portrayals.
The Stunning Filming Locations
Season 3’s 38 locations include Belchite’s ruins, Galicia’s coasts, and Seville’s historic streets, showcasing Spain’s diversity.
Why it matters: Locations like Belchite, devastated in the 1936-39 Spanish Civil War, add emotional weight. Squillante noted their “haunting” impact for storytelling.
How it’s done: Filming began in Madrid in August 2024, hitting Galicia, Aragón, Catalonia, and Valencia. The crew used real festivals, blending walkers into crowd scenes, per El Output.
Common mistakes: Over-relying on ruins risks a repetitive aesthetic. If locations feel like backdrops, not lived-in spaces, the story loses depth.
Consequences: Generic settings could weaken the show’s cinematic edge, which drew 1.2 million viewers to Season 1’s premiere, per AMC.
Fans on X praise the “dusty, Western” vibe of Aragón’s deserts, seen in teasers from June 2025.
The Thrilling Train Sequence
A much-hyped train sequence filmed on a fallow Aragón railway is set to be a highlight, with Squillante promising it’ll “blow people away.”
Why it matters: Action set pieces keep The Walking Dead exciting. This sequence, teased at SDCC 2025, blends high stakes with Spain’s rugged terrain.
How it’s done: The crew secured a disused train line, choreographing intense walker battles. Norman Reedus hinted at Daryl’s motorcycle stunts in the scene.
Common mistakes: Overloading CGI risks cheapening the action. If the sequence feels detached from the plot, it’s just spectacle.
Consequences: A weak set piece could disappoint fans expecting Season 1’s gritty realism, which made it AMC+’s top show.
X posts from August 2025 call the teaser’s train shots “insane,” but some fear it’s overhyped.
New Cast Members and Their Roles
The season introduces Spanish stars Eduardo Noriega, Óscar Jaenada, and Alexandra Masangkay as regulars, with Candela Saitta, Hugo Arbués, and Stephen Merchant in recurring roles.
Why it matters: Local talent adds authenticity. Jaenada’s Fede, a tough leader, is rumored to be an antagonist, per El Output.
How it’s done: Noriega (The Devil’s Backbone), Jaenada (Pirates of the Caribbean), and Masangkay (The Platform) were cast for their range. Merchant’s role remains mysterious, teased as “enigmatic.”
Common mistakes: Underusing stars like Noriega risks wasting talent. If new characters overshadow Daryl and Carol, fans might push back.
Consequences: Poor casting balance could disrupt the “Caryl” focus, which drew 1 million streams per episode in Season 2, per AMC.
X fans in July 2025 speculated Jaenada’s Fede could rival Negan’s intensity, raising expectations.
The Plot and Western Vibes
Season 3 follows Daryl and Carol navigating Spain to return home, facing new threats and alliances. Teasers suggest a Western-inspired tone.
Why it matters: The itinerant plot keeps the show fresh, per showrunner David Zabel. Spain’s deserts evoke a cowboy feel, distinct from France’s castles.
How it’s done: After Season 2’s Chunnel journey, the duo hits Spain, encountering Fede’s community. Scenes mix action with local festivals, per El Output.
Common mistakes: Overdoing Western tropes risks parody. If the plot strays too far from The Walking Dead’s core, it alienates fans.
Consequences: A disjointed story could hurt viewership, especially after Season 2’s cliffhanger, which trended on X in October 2024.
The teaser’s guitar-heavy soundtrack, released June 2025, fuels Western hype on X.
Production and Spanish Crew Impact
Filming began August 2024 in Madrid, with a 90% Spanish crew, including producers Silvia Aráez and Jesús de la Vega.
Why it matters: Local expertise ensures cultural accuracy. Spain’s 2024 tax breaks, per Variety, made it a cost-effective hub.
How it’s done: The crew filmed in 22 municipalities, using local dialects and crew knowledge. Peregrinos SP24 handled logistics.
Common mistakes: Ignoring local input risks inauthentic scenes. Rushing production could lead to sloppy visuals, unlike Season 1’s polished look.
Consequences: Inauthenticity could turn off Spanish fans, a key demographic after Season 1’s AMC+ success in Spain.
X posts from August 2025 praise the crew’s work but note some festival scenes feel “staged.”
Challenges of Filming Abroad
Shooting in Spain, after France, brings logistical hurdles but enriches the Walking Dead universe with global perspectives.
Why it matters: International settings show the apocalypse’s worldwide impact. Spain’s 38 locations add visual variety, per SciFi Spiral.
How it’s done: The crew navigated eight regions, coordinating with local authorities. Tax incentives eased the $10 million-per-episode budget, per Variety.
Common mistakes: Language barriers or cultural missteps could jar viewers. If locations feel generic, the global scope weakens.
Consequences: Poor execution risks losing the 1.2 million premiere viewers from Season 1, a top AMC+ driver.
Fans on X in July 2025 worried about “Americanized” Spanish settings but loved the Belchite ruins.
FAQs
What is The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 3 about?
Premiering September 7, 2025, it follows Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Carol (Melissa McBride) navigating Spain to return home. They face new threats in a Western-inspired story. Filmed in 22 municipalities, it blends Spanish culture with walker battles. Overdoing tropes could alienate fans.
Why was Spain chosen for Season 3?
Spain’s diverse landscapes, from Galicia’s coasts to Belchite’s ruins, suit the apocalypse. Tax breaks and a 95% Spanish crew add authenticity, per Variety. Misusing locations risks cliché visuals, but the setting elevates the show’s global appeal.
Who are the new cast members?
Eduardo Noriega, Óscar Jaenada (Fede), and Alexandra Masangkay join as regulars, with Candela Saitta, Hugo Arbués, and Stephen Merchant recurring. Jaenada’s Fede is a tough leader, possibly an antagonist. Underusing talent could weaken the story.
What’s the big train sequence?
Filmed on a fallow Aragón railway, it’s a high-stakes walker battle teased to “blow people away,” per Squillante. Overreliance on CGI could cheapen it. Fans on X in August 2025 hyped its intense teaser shots.
Where was Season 3 filmed?
It spans 38 locations in Galicia, Aragón, Catalonia, Valencia, and more, including Belchite’s war ruins. Filming began August 2024, using local festivals for scenes. Generic use of locations could lessen impact, per X feedback.
Where can I watch Daryl Dixon Season 3?
It premieres September 7, 2025, on AMC and AMC+ in the U.S., September 8 on AMC+ and Paramount+ in Spain. Check BritBox for past seasons. Missing the premiere risks spoilers flooding X.
Summary
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 3, hitting AMC on September 7, 2025, takes Daryl and Carol to Spain’s post-apocalyptic landscapes, from Belchite’s ruins to a thrilling Aragón train sequence. With a 95% Spanish crew and new cast like Óscar Jaenada as Fede, the season blends local culture with Western vibes. Filmed across 22 municipalities, it promises stunning visuals but risks inauthenticity if it leans too American. Fans on X are hyped for the action but wary of clichés. Will Spain’s setting elevate the Walking Dead universe? Share your thoughts below!
