‘The Walking Dead’ Adds Cassady McClincy as Comics Character Lydia for Season 9

The “Love, Simon” alum will play Whisperers leader Alpha’s daughter

Lydia The Walking Dead
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.

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.

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