The Walking Dead viewers have seen a lot of gruesome sights so far in the show’s nine seasons.
And last week was no different, as the Whisperers – led by Alpha (played by Samantha Morton) – took over the much anticipated Fair by kidnapping a number of the community members.
This brutal event saw the deaths of fan-favourites Henry (Macsen Lintz) and Tara (Alanna Masterson), among others.
And the repercussions of these deaths will impact the remaining members of Hilltop and Alexandria, according to executive producer Denise Huth.
The showrunner recently spoke about the horrific event to Metro, and hinted the upcoming season nine finale could see even more danger for the suvivors.
She explained: “This is a huge, huge event simply for volume, if nothing else.
“To have that many people taken so instantaneously when they thought they were safe – that hasn’t happened to them in a very long, long time. Certainly not on this scale.”
Denise went on to add the event would have helped shape the characters in the episodes to come.
And indeed many of the actions that certain characters will carry out will be drastically different from one another.
Denise added: “It’s an attack. But it also shakes the foundation of safety they thought they really had.”
With members of the team now worrying about whether they truly are safe in their group, could viewers see a split on the way?
Going forward, Denise revealed, this event may be laying the groundwork for the conclusion of season nine’s narrative arcs, whilst simultaneously setting up where season ten is going to go.
She said: “It’s kind of both in a lot of ways.
“We’re still dealing with the ramifications of the events of episode 15, and they’re definitely not over it. It is still heavy on their hearts.
“I think it gives a nice closure to a lot of the storylines this year, but also keeps things open we know are not resolved.”
She went on to conclude: “There’s not going to be a resolution of the Whisperers.”
Denise recently spoke to Digital Spy regarding the brutal character cull, and called the entire killing spree a huge challenge for Carol (Melissa McBride).
She said: “It’s a huge decision for [showrunner Angela Kang] and the writers, for any staff on the show.
“Henry was tough. It was a hard one. Obviously for Carol and Ezekiel (Khary Payton), that’s going to be a huge thing for them to have to deal and grapple with.”
The Walking Dead season 9 concludes Monday at 9pm on Fox UK.