The Walking Dead Rings In 100 Episodes With Celebratory Portraits

In exactly one month’s time, The Walking Dead will make history.

After 99 episodes of thrills, spills and apocalyptic chills, series stalwart Greg Nicotero will usher in season 8’s premiere and, by effect, The Walking Dead‘s 100th episode. Suddenly that scene in Atlanta of Rick trapped in a tank crawling with Walkers feels like a lifetime ago.

But in order to commemorate this wonderful occasion, Entertainment Weekly has gone ahead and posted a fresh batch of candid, beautifully stylish portraits in which the show’s mainstays – namely Andrew Lincoln (Rick), Norman Reedus (Daryl), Danai Gurira (Michonne), Lauren Cohan (Maggie) and Melissa McBride (Carol) – get the celebrations underway. As this is more of a spotlight on the actors, rather than their on-screen counterparts, don’t expect much in the way of story, but the gallery below does serve as a nice little time capsule ahead of The Walking Dead raising a glass to celebrate episode number 100.

Because let’s face it, with so much drama in store, EW’s The Walking Dead coverage offers some welcome respite before the inevitable chaos. As teased in season 8’s extensive synopsis, much of this year’s instalment will revolve around Negan and his climactic battle against three primary factions: the Hilltop (Maggie), the Kingdom (King Ezekiel) and Alexandria (Rick).

Here’s a brief extract:

Up until now, survival has been the focus of Rick and our group, but it’s not enough. They have to fight to take back their freedom so that they can live. So that they can rebuild. As with any battle, there will be losses. Casualties. But with Rick leading the Alexandrian forces, Maggie leading the Hilltop, and King Ezekiel leading the Kingdom — Negan and the Saviors’ grip on this world may finally be coming to an end.

Season 8 of The Walking Dead will get going in earnest on October 22nd, and we’ve heard time and time again that this year’s instalment will yield a massive body count. But the question remains: just who will bite the bullet late next month? You can, as always, leave your thoughts, comments, concerns and predictions in the usual place.