'Dead City' to open Monte-Carlo TV Festival

The 65th Monte-Carlo Television Festival will open with the international premiere of the first two episodes of Season 3 of 'The Walking Dead: Dead City', organisers have confirmed, underscoring the event's continued focus on high-profile global productions.

The screening, scheduled for June 12, will take place in the presence of cast members Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan, alongside showrunner Seth Hoffman. The new season, produced by AMC Studios, is set to air later this summer on AMC and AMC+.

Season 3 continues the story of Maggie and Negan, two long-time adversaries who attempt to set aside their past to build a functioning community in post-apocalyptic Manhattan. However, as instability resurfaces, the narrative turns on whether their violent histories will undermine any hope of survival.

Beyond its opening showcase, the festival will honour several emerging and established figures in the television industry. Spanish actor Ester Exposito and British performer Matthew Broome will receive the International Golden Nymph Award for most promising talent, reflecting their rising global profiles.

Veteran French presenter Michel Drucker is set to be awarded the Honorary Nymph for his longstanding contribution to television. Meanwhile, Kristin Scott Thomas and Kurt Russell will be recognised with the Crystal Nymph Award, celebrating distinguished careers spanning decades.

The festival will also feature juries across fiction, digital content and news, bringing together an international panel of industry professionals. Alongside screenings and awards, the Business Forum is expected to host prominent creators and executives, reflecting broader shifts within the global television landscape.

Festival organisers said the 2026 edition aims to balance tradition with innovation. Executive director Cecile Menoni described it as a platform for "encounters, discoveries and recognition", while Monaco Mediax general manager Laurent Puons emphasised its role in supporting the industry's transformation while celebrating creative excellence worldwide.