The Walking Dead finale brings dead characters to life for commercials produced by Ryan Reynolds’ Maximum Effort and AMC Networks’ Content Room, with help from Kimmelot

Take advantage of the expected massive viewership for tonight’s finale The living deadA handful of commercials featuring characters who died during the show’s 11 seasons gave fans reason not to look away during commercial breaks.

The initiative to revive four characters for Autodesk, Deloitte, DoorDash, MNTN and Ring ads (see a compilation ABOVE) was coordinated by Ryan Reynolds’ Maximum Effort and AMC Networks’ Content Room. Kimmelot’s Dan Sanborn was also involved in compiling the stories about the brand. Recurring characters included Milton Mamet (played by Dallas Roberts), Andrea Harrison (Laurie Holden), Rodney (Joe Ando-Hirsh) and Gareth (Andrew West).

Founded in 2020, the Content Room has created a number of branded properties associated with AMC shows, including Emmy nominees Cooper’s bara digital short form series co-created and starring You better call Saulsays Rhea Seehorn. Another of his ventures was Non-stop brunch at Colman’swith Colman Domingo Van Fear the walking death.

“Ads should be fun,” Reynolds said. “The living dead has sparked more cultural conversations over the past decade than any other property, and we wanted to honor that by bringing some characters back from the dead in some fun contextual ads. Commercials, he added, “can be part of the cultural conversation, as they so often have been. They just need a little more love, attention and mischief.”

Kim Granito, EVP of content room and integrated marketing at AMC Networks, said efforts to delve into The Walking Dead storyline is “one of the many ways we can contextually bring a brand to life.”

The special production partners say all five commercials were shot in two days in two key locations, with Maximum Effort handling production in consultation with Content Room.

Founded in 2018, Kimmelot is Jimmy Kimmel’s vehicle for the development and production of television, digital programs, films, mobile applications and products. The company is partnering with Brent Montgomery, CEO of Wheelhouse Entertainment. Scott Lonker, formerly of CAA, is Kimmelot’s president.