The 65th Monte-Carlo Television Festival opened on June 12, 2026, bringing the global television industry together to celebrate the medium's top achievements. But even as new dramas compete for attention, the legacy of The Walking Dead still dominates conversations about career-defining television.
On SmartLess, host Will Arnett looked back at how the zombie drama served as a major turning point for its cast. Speaking directly to guest Jon Bernthal, Arnett praised the show's ability to introduce powerhouse talent to the world, admitting that the series was the first time he noticed the actor.
"I mentioned, um, Walking Dead. That was the first time that, that, that I feel like I rem-s-remember seeing you o-on a regular basis in something, and I was like, I, I remember watching that show and thinking, 'Who the fuck is this dude?'" Arnett told Bernthal, pointing to the series as the moment the actor truly broke through.
As the television landscape continues to fracture across endless streaming platforms, the industry is still searching for the next monoculture hit that can launch a career overnight. While the main series has long since wrapped, The Walking Dead remains the gold standard for how a genre show can achieve both massive ratings and critical respect for its ensemble cast.