Lauren Cohan expressed her reaction to the possibility of a romantic relationship between her character, Maggie, and Negan in an alternate reality episode of *The Walking Dead: Dead City*. The actress spoke openly about the creators’ intention to make fans uncomfortable by playing with the characters’ complex dynamics, especially considering their turbulent pasts in the original plot.
The alternate reality episode explores a new universe
The episode “Genesis”, which aired on August 31, 2026, introduced a “what if” scenario where the zombie apocalypse never occurred. In this version of the story, Maggie travels to New York to meet her sister Beth, played again by Emily Kinney. During her stay in the city, Maggie, who is in an unhappy marriage with a man named Danny, has an unusual encounter with Negan, Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s character, in a diner.
- Stop to eat roasted chestnuts
- Visit to a baseball field
- Shopping in a Christmas village
- Consultation with a psychic who told them: “Fate always brings us the people we are meant to meet”
Despite interactions that could lead to a typical romantic comedy romance, the idea of a romantic involvement between them is promptly rejected by both the seer and Maggie. Negan’s suggestion of a possible “throw” was met with revulsion, avoiding a kiss under the mistletoe and maintaining the integrity of the story. For fans of the franchise, the mere hint of a romance between Maggie and the man who killed her husband, Glenn, has generated a new level of anxiety.
Lauren Cohan addresses the “horrifying idea” of romance
Actress Lauren Cohan revealed that the idea of exploring a possible romance between Maggie and Negan in the alternate episode was an intentional joke by showrunner Seth Hoffman. According to Cohan, the intention was to create a different kind of horror for viewers, making them think, “Will Maggie and Negan… [makes a retching sound].” She stated that the tension is only relieved at the end of the episode, when fans realize that the romantic involvement does not happen. The actress also explained that, once the initial shock is over, the experience becomes a moment of reflection on the characters.
The emotional reunion with Beth on screen
Another highlight of the episode “Genesis” was the return of Emily Kinney as Beth Greene, Maggie’s sister. Lauren Cohan described the behind-the-scenes reunion as “amazing” and “surreal.” She said that the scene in which she turns around and sees Beth in the fountain “electrified” her, given the strong personal connection between the actresses and the impact of Beth’s early death in the original series. The actress commented that Emily Kinney became like a “little sister” to her, which intensified the emotion of the moment on screen.
The surprising outcome and the characters’ choices
Cohan also reflected on the episode’s outcome, where Maggie and Negan, despite influencing each other throughout the day, seem to return to their essences. The actress noted that the episode questions whether the characters are better or worse after finding themselves in this alternative reality. For her, the conclusion suggests that, even in different contexts, some dynamics are inevitable and people meet those they are “destined to meet” for some reason. The episode works as a kind of “Before Sunrise” for the characters, leaving much of the interpretation to the audience.
