You’d be forgiven for forgetting details from earlier seasons, and even for having not watched them at all. But joining the story at this point there’s a lot to catch up on. In this article we detail the history of The Walking Dead, offer a quick recap of each season (without too many spoilers), and explain how you can watch older episodes of The Walking Dead. Also see how to watch the current season free online, on TV or on your phone or tablet, and if you dare check out our season 9 rumour round-up.
How to watch old episodes of The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead returned to NowTV‘s boxsets on 1 October 2018, and this is among the cheapest ways to catch up on older episodes. It’s also what you’ll need to broadcast current episodes via Fox UK if you’re not a Sky or Virgin Media customer, and all for just £7.99 per month using its Entertainment package. There’s also a two-week free trial if you’re prepared to binge-watch a season or two. Netflix, which costs from £5.99/US$7.99 per month but has a month’s free trial, is now streaming the entire back catalogue of The Walking Dead – but ONLY in the US. That means to view The Walking Dead on Netflix in the UK you’ll need to use a VPN such as NordVPN to access the US service. Find full details in our guide to streaming American Netflix in the UK. Some other options include:
Google Play: single episode from £1.99 (SD); season from £24.99 (SD) YouTube: single episode from £1.99 (SD); season from £24.99 (SD) iTunes: single episode from £1.89 (SD); season from £24.99 (SD)
Fox is also available in the UK via Sky, Virgin Media and TalkTalk, while in the US The Walking Dead is broadcast via AMC.
The Walking Dead: Season 9
Release date
US: 7 October 2018 UK: 8 October 2018, 9pm, Fox UK
Episodes
More than a year on from the war with the Saviors, Rick and his group begin to build a better life for themselves, setting ground rules for how all the various communities can play nicely together – but can everyone forgive and forget, and where does Negan fit into this brave new world? With Negan seemingly posing little threat, there’s room for a new baddie: enter the Whisperers. We’ll see at least two major cast exits in season 9 under new showrunner Angela Kang, and it’s no secret that Rick is one of them.
The Walking Dead: Season 8
Release date
US: 22 October 2017 UK: 23 October 2017
Episodes
Following a huge amount of bloodshed on all sides, Carl’s on a mission to make peace between Rick’s group and the Saviors – but it’s a decision that might bite him on the bum (literally). There is a sense of making some good out of all this evil, as brainbox Eugene surprises everyone and the group take it upon themselves to spare their enemies.
The Walking Dead: Season 7
Release date
US: 23 October 2016 UK: 24 October 2016
Episodes
Negan’s not a guy to be messed with, as we discover in the opening scenes of season 7 – some of the most shocking scenes in the entire series. Following a huge attack on Alexandria by the Scavengers and the Saviors, what’s left of the community joins forces with the Hilltop and the Kingdom for what will be the start of an almighty war.
The Walking Dead: Season 6
Release date
US: 11 October 2015 UK: 12 October 2015
Episodes
Alexandria offers Rick and his group a place to call home, and in return he offers them protection. But Rick is quickly learning that the real dangers in this new world of the walking dead are not the zombies. In Season 6 we also meet the Hilltop group, and discover their fear of some guy called Negan, leader of the Saviors.
The Walking Dead: Season 5
Release date
US: 12 October 2014 UK: 13 October 2014
Episodes
Things are not quite as they seem at Terminus when Rick’s group discover the residents need them a lot more than they need them. Having destroyed Terminus they are again back on the road, this time to a safe haven in Alexandria, but not before they have to endure the hospital from hell.
The Walking Dead: Season 4
Release date
US: 13 October 2013 UK: 14 October 2013
Episodes
The Governor is after revenge, and he has terrible timing as a deadly flu virus breaks out at the prison. It all goes horribly wrong, and Rick’s gang find themselves back on the road en route to Terminus.
The Walking Dead: Season 3
Release date
US: 14 October 2012 UK: 15 October 2012
Episodes
Having fled Hershel’s farm Rick finds an abandoned prison for the group to call home. The series takes a sinister turn as Carl is forced to do the unthinkable when his mother goes into labour, and Rick struggles to cope with recent events. Michonne and Andrea discover Woodbury, a town led by the Governor, but it all ends in tears and, on the plus side, some new additions to the cast.
The Walking Dead: Season 2
Release date
US: 16 October 2011 UK: 17 October 2011
Episodes
Back on the road Rick’s party find themselves at the farm of Hershel Greene and his daughters, and it’s here we meet show stalwart Maggie. The long search for Carol’s daughter Sophia ends in drama when they find a grim secret in Hershel’s barn, while the ongoing conflict between Rick and Shane following Lori’s ‘Who’s The Daddy’ saga ends in tragedy.
The Walking Dead: Season 1
Release date
US: 31 October 2010 UK: 1 November 2010
Episodes
When policeman Rick Grimes wakes up in a hospital bed, he takes his first steps into a world now overrun with the walking dead. Season one sees Rick finding fellow survivors, Morgan and Duane, and on the road to Atlanta confronting new enemies who are more dangerous even than the walkers. Eventually he finds his wife Lori, son Carl, and partner Shane, who are traveling with a larger group of survivors. To the audience it is immediately clear that Lori, fearing the worst, has found new comfort in Shane. Marie is Editor in Chief of Tech Advisor and Macworld. A Journalism graduate from the London College of Printing, she’s worked in tech media for more than 17 years, managing our English language, French and Spanish consumer editorial teams and leading on content strategy through Foundry’s transition from print, to digital, to online - and beyond.
