Skybound Entertainment/Image Comics

Warning: Spoilers ahead for “The Walking Dead” comics and Season 8 of the AMC series.

“Love, Simon” actress Cassady McClincy has been cast in the recurring role of Lydia in Season 9 of “The Walking Dead.”

McClincy joins the previously announced Samantha Morton, who will play her character’s mother Alpha, the leader of The Whisperers. In the comic books, she also serves as Carl Grimes’ love interest.

Also Read: 'Fear the Walking Dead': Alicia 'Becomes More Her Mother's Daughter' in Water-Logged Episode

The Whisperers are a group of survivors that encounter the likes of Carl, Rick and company in the comics after the All Out War storyline. Lydia eventually defects from her mother’s group and strikes up a relationship with Carl, who in died last season in the TV show.

Season 9 will see several more new characters join the cast as leading man Andrew Lincoln plans his exit, including “The 100” actress Nadia Hilker as Magna, the leader of another new group, and as Lauren Ridloff — the series’ first deaf actress — as Connie, who is part of Magna’s group. The comic book character Yumiko will played by “Wonder Woman” actress Eleanor Matsuura.

More new faces coming to the longstanding zombie drama include: Angel Theory will play Connie’s alert and protective sister Kelly, Zach McGowen will play Justin, “a hostile Savior not interested in working together with the other communities,” Rhys Coiro will play Jed, “A rebellious Savior who refuses to fall in line,” Brett Butler will play Tammy Rose, “A salt-of-the-earth resident at Hilltop,” and John Finn will play Earl, “Hilltop’s blacksmith and Tammy Rose’s devoted husband.” “Fantastic Beasts” actor Dan Fogler will play Luke, “A fatigued survivor who understands there is safety in numbers. He values what is beautiful and hopeful and makes us uniquely human.”

In addition to playing Jackie on “Love, Simon,” McClincy has also recently appeared in the Hulu series “Castle Rock.”

“The Walking Dead” Season 9 premieres on AMC on Oct. 7.

'The Walking Dead': Let's Obsess Over These New Season 9 Images (Photos)

"The Walking Dead" Season 9 is still close to two months away, but we have some new photos from the first episode and we're obviously trying to glean as much information from them as possible. In this first photo, we see Rick (Andrew Lincoln), Carol (Melissa McBride), Ezekiel (Khary Peyton) and Eugene (Josh McDermitt).
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Michonne, looking fierce as always. In Season 9, Michonne has added a small plaid wrap from one of Carl (Chandler Riggs)'s shirts to keep his memory close, according to showrunner Angela Kang.
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Maggie (Lauren Cohan) has taken over as the leader of the Hilltop in the upcoming season, and it looks from this photo like she is indeed leading the pack.
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This photo looks like Maggie's Hilltop residents have encountered someone or something that's caught them by surprise. In the back, you can see former Savior Alden (Callan McAuliffe), who was once Maggie's prisoner.
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What are Daryl, Michonne and Rick looking at?
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Carol and Ezekiel are in a happy relationship at the beginning of Season 9. In one clip released from the Season 9 premiere, Carol tells Daryl that after having an abusive husband like Ed in the past, dating Ezekiel is nice -- even though he can be corny.
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We saw a bit of this scene in the Season 9 trailer released at Comic Con. It seems as though the crew has made it to Washington, D.C., and are trying to get this wagon out of a museum.
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Good ol' Jerry (Cooper Andrews) is here to hopefully provide some more of his sweet comic relief.
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Rosita (Christian Serratos) is writing something on this road sign. Remember the "A"s that will occasionally pop up? Showrunner Angela Kang recently said that "there is a meaning" to it, which we'll find out this season.
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Father Gabriel (Seth Gilliam) debuts a new glass eye after that strange condition that showed up last season.
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Daryl has his crossbow at the ready in this picture -- but we can expect the apocalypse's heartthrob to have some new weapons this season as well. Reedus helped design some "saw-backed Bowie knives with finger rings that allow you to quickly twirl the knives into different positions (you can grip them in either direction)," Kang said on AMC's blog this week.
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In this last shot, it seems like the crew were successful in getting that wagon and are headed... somewhere. Back to the Hilltop? To the communal camp from the trailer?

Season 9 hits AMC on Sunday, Oct. 7.
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New photos hint at the post-All Out War world

"The Walking Dead" Season 9 is still close to two months away, but we have some new photos from the first episode and we're obviously trying to glean as much information from them as possible. In this first photo, we see Rick (Andrew Lincoln), Carol (Melissa McBride), Ezekiel (Khary Peyton) and Eugene (Josh McDermitt).

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