With Season 11 of The Walking Dead still looming over the horizon--and also a series spin-off--it's a bit of a surprise that AMC has announced the first-ever The Walking Dead Holiday Special, slated to debut December 13 on the network's streaming platform AMC+.

　　According to Deadline, the hour-long event will feature cast members gathering virtually to reminisce over the series' history to date, and also offer a peek into the future with a table read from an upcoming Season 10 episode. It may be more expedient to say who will not be participating, but among those expected to make an appearance are: Lauren Cohan, Melissa McBride, Josh McDermitt, Khary Payton, Eleanor Matsuura, Cooper Andrews, Cassady McClincy, Lauren Ridloff, Cailey Fleming, Emily Kinney, and IronE Singleton.

　　Walking Dead Universe COO Scott M. Gimple and showrunner/executive producer Angela Kang will also be present. The Walking Dead Holiday Special will be hosted by Chris Hardwick, perennial after-show host for the network.

　　Noticeably absent from the line-up is Norman Reedus, though he also is emerging during the holiday season with an unexpected gift: Portraits from the Woods, a newly announced hardcover book "captur[ing] moments behind the scenes of TWD as only Norman could deliver." The book includes Reedus' memories, musings, and insights into production of the series--and also portraits and tributes from TWD fans Hideo Kojima, Lena Dunham, Diane Kruger, and Dave Chappelle. As Reedus cryptically promises, the book "is like stepping in my own shoes, seen through my own eyes with my sense of humor." Profits from the $75 book will be donated to the COVID-19 Response Fund.

　　You can read more about Season 10 and 11's current status in a recent news post here.

　　David Wolinsky on Google+