Where is The Walking Dead going? Even if you read the comics, it’s hard to be sure, since the show has often charted its own course. But two new pieces of casting news seem to indicate that the comics are going to be having a huge influence on the show soon.
Warning: Some spoilers ahead...
First up, The Wrap reports actor Tom Payne (below) has been cast as Paul “Jesus” Monroe, a key character from the comics, in season six. He’s someone who comes to Alexandria and quickly gets in good with Rick, becoming one of his closest advisors.
Jesus also plays a major role, at least in the comics, in an eventual conflict with a group called The Saviors, who some speculate are being called The Wolves on TV. That group is led by a character named Negan—and the SpoilingDeadFans Facebook has found a casting call for someone named “Orin,” who sure sounds like a pseudonym for Negan (aimed at throwing fans off the scent).
Here’s a snippet:
30s to mid 40s. A physically imposing, charismatic, brutal, smart, ferocious, frightening, hilarious, inappropriate, oddly friendly, fun loving sociopath that is both a leader of men and a killer of men. He has both a practical and emotional intelligence, he’s a brilliant strategist, he’s pure, dangerous, murderous, often gleeful id, that still has both discipline and a code. And he has a temper that can vaporize people. He’s truly one of the strongest personalities ever.
It sounds as though Rick and the Alexandria people are leading toward a war with Negan and his people, just like in the comics.
The Walking Dead season 6 begins on October 11.
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