In The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 3 we’re reunited with the iconic Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus) and Carol Peletier (Melissa McBride) as they make their way through Europe in hopes of returning home to America. We spoke to Melissa McBride about the start of this new season, shooting on location in Spain, and what’s to come for our favorite duo as they find themselves in uncharted territory yet again. 

Q: We pick back up almost right where we left off in Season 2 — thankfully Carol and Daryl have made it through the Chunnel relatively unscathed — and the duo is making their way to London. The hallucinations both Carol and Daryl had in the tunnel have stayed with them, and we start the season off with Carol feeling almost excited for what the future holds. How would you describe Carol’s headspace at the top of the season? 

Melissa McBride: I think whatever happened in the tunnel, that experience that she had created a whole new feeling in her. A feeling that maybe right now, at this point in the first episode she can't really identify. It's a sense, it's an essence. It's something unidentifiable. We don't know what's around the corner. She's kind of weirdly excited. But how can you be excited in a world that gives you nothing but bad news and awful challenges? So, it's a strange kind of hopeful feeling. She can't quite grasp it because it's very weird to feel that way in a world like that. 

Q: Let’s talk about some themes. If S1 was about Daryl getting back to his community, and S2 was about the reunion between the power duo that is Daryl and Carol, it feels like S3 is really all about their friendship and how it grounds them in the chaos of their world.How has it been working so closely with your real-life buddy Norman Reedus again? 

MM: Well, we’re shooting Season 4 now and that's the final season, but honestly, it's just exciting to be here with Norman in a whole new place with these two characters. In Season 3, we’ll see them separated for a little bit, going on their own missions, and learning more about themselves separate from one another. Hmmm what’s the saying? 

Absence makes the heart grow fonder? 

MM: Yes, absence makes the heart grow fonder! We don’t appreciate the things we have until they're at a distance or until they're gone. I like exploring their growth, their own individual growth, and found it to be an interesting and bold step for the writers to take after bringing them together in France. 

Q: In Episode 1 we meet Julian, played by the brilliant Stephen Merchant. It was really fun to see the three of you on screen together playing out some of the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. What was it like adding him to the crew this season? 

MM: I just really liked that character. I liked Stephen. Just being around him on the set was really nice. It was great to have him there and to be able to play with him. Julian is a sweet, isolated character, and I credit the writers too, along with Stephen for embodying this character. When they introduce a new character, it's always a well-formed character. It's less about getting to know him, and more about creating a feeling that we already know him. You know what I mean? And it's not an easy thing to do! 

For Stephen and some of the other actors playing new characters coming in during Seasons 3 and 4, I’m sure it’s hard for them to join a show that's already established. We come from a legacy and that can be a little daunting, but these actors are coming in and bringing to life these incredible characters. We care about what happens to Julian even though he’s only in one episode! 

Q: What's been your favorite thing about shooting on location in Spain? You’re now in production for Season 4 so I’m sure you have experienced quite a bit of the country by now! 

MM: I have! My favorite thing about shooting in Spain is being with this cast and crew every day. We’re working every day and the people that I have spent my time with are really wonderful people, so I think that's been my favorite thing. If you're going to get stuck with somebody on location, make sure they're awesome — and these really are awesome people. Plus, it's just so beautiful here.

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon airs on Sundays at 9/8c on AMC. Episodes are available to stream on amc.com (with a cable provider login), and the AMC apps for mobile and devices. You can also watch episodes via AMC+ at amcplus.com or through the new AMC+ app available on iPhone, iPad, Android, Fire TV, Apple TV, and Roku plus Samsung and Vizio smart TVs. AMC+ can also be streamed through a variety of providers, including AppleTV, Prime Video Channels, DirectTV, Dish, Roku Channel, Sling, and Xfinity. Sign up for AMC+ now.