Tom Payne, Austin Amelio and Xander Berkeley are also upped to series regulars for the upcoming installment of the AMC series.
- July 8, 2016
AceShowbiz -
"The Walking Dead" has upgraded the status of several cast members ahead of season 7. After appearing briefly at the end of season 6, Jeffrey Dean Morgan will be a mainstay in the upcoming installment of the zombie drama series as he has been promoted to series regular.
He's joined by Tom Payne, Austin Amelio and Xander Berkeley who are also upped to series regulars for the seventh season. The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news.
All four actors play key characters on the hit series. Morgan was introduced as the main villain Negan in the sixth season finale, while Payne, Amelio and Berkeley recurred in season 6 as Jesus (a new ally to Rick), Dwight (a member of Negan's Savior group) and Gregory (the shady leader of the Hilltop Colony), respectively.
The addition of these four actors brings the show's series regulars to 20, an all-time high for the drama. However, at least one regular will likely exit the series once the mystery about Negan's victim is answered in the season 7 premiere.
"The Walking Dead" will return with the new season in the fall with the premiere date expected to be announced at the San Diego Comic-Con.
