6 things we learned about Season 2 of 'Fear the Walking Dead'

It's not going to be a beach vacation when Season 2 of AMC's Fear The Walking Dead returns on April 10. But thanks to PaleyFest and the cast and creative team that showed up Saturday at the Dolby Theater in Hollywood, it looks like the new episodes of The Walking Dead spinoff are going to be worth the wait.

Present for the panel, which kicked off after an early peek at some key scenes from the season premiere, were stars Kim Dickens, Cliff Curtis, Frank Dillane, Alycia Debnam-Carey, Lorenzo James Henrie, Ruben Blades, Mercedes Mason and Colman Domingo, as well as showrunner, Dave Erickson, and executive producer, Gale Ann Hurd.

Here are six things we discovered about the new 15-episode season.

1. It's a voyage to anywhere

While the group's intention is to find a safe place to drop anchor, what are the chances that will actually happen? "We don't know when we first hit the water which direction we're going to go," Erickson teased in regards to Strand's (Henrie) yacht, The Abigail. Since they're leaving Los Angeles, it could be San Diego, or, as Erickson teased, "there is Hawaii, there is Vancouver."

2. Zombies can float 

One of the exclusive clips shown before the panel featured Nick (Dillane) coming face to face with a walker while underwater. Does that mean zombies can swim? "Zombies cannot swim," Erickson confirmed. That said, that doesn't mean they're harmless in the water. "They don't drown. They keep floating back up." The showrunner did say that viewers can expect threats on land and sea in Season 2.

3. We will learn (a bit) about Victor Strand?

One of the season's biggest mysteries will be figuring out who exactly Strand is and whether anyone should trust him. "He's going to be challenged for that veneer to be deconstructed a bit," explained Domingo. "I think that's actually such a strength of the show. Everyone starts off in places and ends up somewhere completely different … some people will survive, some people won't." The actor also thinks that Strand's power comes from being able to size people up and break them down, though, Erickson added, Strand sees value in drug addict and survivor, Nick.

4. Characters are seeking relationships

While many of the characters are looking for answers, others are seeking out something more personal. "I think she's really longing for connection," said Debnam-Carey, whose character was recently killed off on The CW show, The 100. "[Alicia is] struggling to find connection in this very confined space on a boat and she starts looking elsewhere for it." As for Mason's Ophelia, the actress said that her character is "floating [and] she's reaching for relationships and I think ultimately that's where strength comes in."

5. More reaction in Season 2

"Remember, the first season was about discovery," Blades said. "The second season is a lot about reaction." Madison, for example, who was jarred by the changing world in the first season, just may reveal more of a warrior side in her quest to protect her family, according to Dickens. "I think she has good instincts to not trust these new characters so much … she'll make a few uncomfortable alliances if she has to. It's a means to an end."

6. No crossover with The Walking Dead

Given the somewhat different timeline and West Coast location on this edition of The Walking Dead world, don't hold your breath for Rick, Carol, Daryl or anyone else from the mothership series to show up. "That's the one straight answer I can give you, no," said Erickson. "Finding ways to intersect would be difficult." That said, cast members agreed that Rick and Carol would be great to fight alongside.

Fear The Walking Dead returns on Sunday, April 10 at 9 p.m. ET on AMC.

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