It’s time to celebrate. The Walking Dead has effectively dashed any chance of romance between Maggie and Negan. In both the original The Walking Dead comic books and its live-action counterpart on AMC, the uneasy dynamic between Maggie and Negan develops into a key plot point toward the story’s end. Whereas most characters learn to accept Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s reformed Negan as a semi-valued member of society, Lauren Cohan’s Maggie keenly remembers how he bludgeoned her husband to death with Lucille and refuses to let the former Savior off her hook.
The aftermath of the Whisperer War, a growing food crisis, and the emergence of Reapers force Maggie and Negan to work together in The Walking Dead season 11, but after a few episodes of tense cooperation, sometimes devolving into outright aggression, audiences began sensing something very different between the pair…was it a hint of romance? One-on-one conversations between Maggie and Negan felt designed to amplify their chemistry and were palpably laced with flirtatious energy. Longing looks and pensive pauses added fuel to the fire, and when AMC announced the pair were getting a spin-off, Isle of the Dead, a romantic liaison began looking even more likely.
Mercifully, The Walking Dead season 11’s “The Rotten Core” all but rules out any prospect of Maggie and Negan becoming romantic partners, enemies with benefits, or anything beyond a basic level of camaraderie. Previously, Negan reappeared alongside a mystery woman named Annie, who had some connection to the folks living under Ian inside the Riverbend apartment complex. “The Rotten Core” reveals Negan and Annie have been living with these people. And they got married. And there’s now a baby Negan on the way too. Annie confirms her full knowledge of Negan’s past deeds and has accepted he’s a changed man, highlighting their bond is solid. Putting aside how quickly the relationship has blossomed, The Walking Dead’s introduction of Annie as Negan’s pregnant wife surely rules out future romances between him and Maggie.
There Was Never Any Romance Between Negan and Maggie
Negan appears genuinely loved-up and will soon be a father for the very first time, having previously shown his paternal side toward the likes of Carl Grimes, Judith, and Lydia. Given his immense regret over how badly he treated Lucille – his first wife, not the bat – it’s highly improbable Negan will forsake Annie for Maggie anytime soon. Negan’s love for Annie also confirms he was never making eyes at Maggie, meaning those hints of sexual chemistry earlier in The Walking Dead season 11 must’ve been misread. Perhaps the tension was more about learning to tolerate each other than denying their innermost desires. Even if Annie dies before the end of The Walking Dead season 11 – always a distinct possibility in the zombie apocalypse – the grief of losing a second wife would prove a stumbling block to Negan finding love elsewhere.
The Walking Dead ruling out a Maggie and Negan romance storyline is good news. Since The Walking Dead season 9’s time skip, Negan has made earnest attempts to atone for past sins, which are recognized by everyone except Maggie, who has constantly resisted the urge to shoot him on the spot. Maggie overcoming her hatred for learning to forgive Negan would be one thing but jumping into a romance with him would be shocking. And, of course, it would be a huge insult to Glenn, who remains a firm fan favorite. Fortunately, it seems The Walking Dead is in accord with its audience on this matter. We just need to wait and see what this Negan and Maggie spin-off, Isle of the Dead, will be all about.
