With so many big-name stars set to depart (see: Andrew Lincoln, Lauren Cohan), one can’t help but wonder how The Walking Dead will continue beyond 2019.
AMC has wholly committed to its undead flagship, that much we know, with Norman Reedus expected to assume leading man duties during the second half of season 9. He’ll be joined by some new faces, too, as ComicBook.com is reporting today that Dan Fogler of Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald has been added to the ensemble cast.
Details of his role are practically non-existent at this point, and given season 9’s significant time jump, it’s really anyone’s guess as to who he’ll show up as. We know The Walking Dead plans to visit a bombed-out Washington D.C. at some point during its 16-episode stint, though, so perhaps Fogler will be introduced as a lone survivor wandering the roads? Who knows.
What we can tell you with absolute certainty, however, is that news of his casting arrives on the heels of Eleanor Matsuura joining The Walking Dead season 9. The actress, known for playing Baron Chau in fellow AMC drama Into the Badlands, has been tipped to portray crossbow-wielding badass Yumiko, though much like Dan Fogler, the Powers That Be haven’t released so much as a scrap of intel for her newcomer.
That being said, it won’t be long before AMC breaks its radio silence, what with The Walking Dead panel set to light up San Diego Comic-Con on Friday, July 20th. A concrete release date for season 9 is practically a given, while viewers are eagerly anticipating their first peek at Rick Grimes and Maggie Rhee’s last hurrah as well. As always, stay tuned for more.