After years of speculation, will-they-won’t-they tension, and countless fan theories, The Walking Dead universe finally has someone willing to put into words what Daryl Dixon and Carol Peletier’s relationship truly means. Alexandra Masangkay, who plays the badass survivor Paz in Season 3 of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, shared exclusive insights about the iconic duo’s bond—and her answer might surprise you.
What Makes Daryl and Carol’s Bond Unique?
In an exclusive interview, Masangkay observed the two characters’ dynamic firsthand on set and offered a refreshingly honest perspective. “What I saw on set was a special relationship between them,” she explained. “Of course, it’s friendship, but it’s beyond friendship.”
The actress believes their connection transcends typical romantic relationships because of its profound depth. “It’s a bonding that you have to make it grow for years with experience, with life,” Masangkay said. “For now, I see nothing romantic or something like that. But because it goes beyond that. For me, it’s more than that.”
Beyond Special Daryl & Carol: A Relationship That Defies Labels
| Aspect | Description |
|---|---|
| Relationship Type | “Beyond friendship” – deeper than romance |
| Foundation | Years of shared experiences and survival |
| On-Screen Chemistry | Built over multiple seasons since 2010 |
| Fan Speculation | Constant romance theories despite platonic bond |
| Season 3 Context | Teases of romance with other characters (Isabelle, Antonio) |
Why Modern Audiences Struggle to Understand
Masangkay touched on something profound about contemporary relationships. “We don’t have time right now to build this kind of relationship in this kind of world,” she observed. “In The Walking Dead, with Daryl and Carol, we all grew up with them. And we know that the relationship between them is something beyond special.”
This insight cuts to the heart of why Daryl and Carol’s bond feels so unique. In an era of instant connections and disposable relationships, their friendship represents something increasingly rare: a connection forged through shared trauma, unwavering loyalty, and years of genuine trust. They’ve literally survived the apocalypse together.
For fans following character dynamics in post-apocalyptic series, Daryl and Carol represent the gold standard of platonic soulmates who don’t need romantic validation to matter deeply to each other.
The Romance Question: Isabelle and Antonio
Season 3 of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon has teased romantic connections for both characters—Isabelle for Daryl and Antonio for Carol. These potential relationships have sparked debates among fans about whether the central duo should remain platonic or finally cross that romantic line.
Masangkay’s perspective suggests the show is intentionally keeping their bond in that ambiguous “more than friends, but not romance” territory. It’s a relationship category our society rarely celebrates, but one that resonates powerfully with audiences who’ve watched these characters evolve since the original Walking Dead series.
Stepping Into Paz’s World
Beyond analyzing Daryl and Carol, Masangkay opened up about joining such an iconic franchise. Despite not being fully caught up on The Walking Dead when she landed the role, she quickly binge-watched and became a genuine fan. “It’s amazing. I love watching him work,” she said about Norman Reedus. “He’s so specific with how he uses his weapons, knives or whatever he has.”
The actress admitted feeling nervous about working alongside a veteran like Reedus: “This was my first time doing something like this. But when you get into character and you’re thinking you’re in a scene with Daryl Dixon, you just kind of like grab this energy and become Paz.”
Her character teams up with Daryl in Season 3 Episode 6, taking on both the dead and the living in post-apocalyptic Barcelona. According to AMC’s official description, Paz represents the kind of survivor who matches Daryl’s intensity—a perfect addition to the show’s roster of compelling characters.
Fan Favorites Beyond Daryl and Carol
When asked about her favorite characters, Masangkay revealed: “I loved Michonne too. Michonne was one of my favorites because I love the Katana. I love Rick too. But I think the other besides Daryl and Carol is Michonne.”
Her appreciation for these characters reflects what makes The Walking Dead universe so enduring—strong, complex individuals who evolve through impossible circumstances. For those exploring best zombie apocalypse shows, these character studies remain unmatched in the genre.
What This Means for the Series
With just one episode remaining in the season, Masangkay’s insights about Daryl and Carol’s relationship suggest the show won’t force them into a conventional romantic narrative. Instead, it honors the unique bond they’ve built—one that’s arguably more powerful because it exists outside traditional relationship categories.
Their connection represents something beautiful and rare: two people who are each other’s chosen family, who would die for each other without question, and whose love transcends the need for romantic or sexual expression.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Are Daryl Dixon and Carol Peletier in a romantic relationship?
According to Alexandra Masangkay, who worked alongside them in Season 3, Daryl and Carol’s relationship is “beyond friendship” but not romantic in the traditional sense. She describes their bond as something deeper than romance—a connection forged over years of shared experiences and survival that goes beyond conventional relationship labels. While Season 3 has teased romantic interests for both characters (Isabelle for Daryl, Antonio for Carol), their core relationship remains that rare type of profound platonic love that modern audiences aren’t accustomed to seeing portrayed on screen.
Q: Who does Alexandra Masangkay play in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon?
Alexandra Masangkay plays Paz, a badass survivor who teams up with Daryl Dixon in Season 3 Episode 6. Her character helps Daryl take on both the dead and the living in post-apocalyptic Barcelona, Spain. Masangkay admitted to being nervous about working with Norman Reedus initially but said his energy helped her embody Paz. Despite not being fully caught up on The Walking Dead when she got the role, she binge-watched the series and became a genuine fan, citing Daryl, Carol, and Michonne as her favorite characters.
