‘The Walking Dead’ Casts Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Major Villain Negan

Leader of The Saviors to appear in final episode of hit AMC series’ sixth season

(Spoiler alert: Do not read on if you are not caught up on this season of “The Walking Dead”)

Jeffrey Dean Morgan has been cast as the villainous Negan on “The Walking Dead,” TheWrap has learned.

In the comic books, Negan is the leader of a group called The Saviors who extort food and supplies from other survivors of the zombie apocalypse through violence and intimidation. He will appear in the final episode of season six, returning as a series regular in season seven.

In the comics, Negan arrives with a bang when he savagely murders Glenn with a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire that he calls Lucille. This has powered the belief among many fans of the show that Glenn did not die by the dumpster, and that he will survive to meet Negan face to face.

Morgan is a veteran of the big and small screen. He currently appears on CBS’ “The Good Wife” with Julianna Margulies and previously appeared on CBS’ “Extant” with Halle Berry. After a turn as the Comedian in the DC Comics adaptation “Watchmen,” he will factor in the company’s upcoming film “Batman v. Superman: Dawn of Justice” as Bruce Wayne’s father.

Morgan is the latest edition to the cast of the hit AMC show. “Luck” actor Tom Payne was recently cast to play Paul “Jesus” Monroe, a figure who becomes a trusted adviser to Rick in the war that breaks out between The Saviors and Alexandria.

In addition, the show recently promoted four actors to series regulars. Tovah Feldshuh, Alexandra Breckenridge and Austin Nichols all played residents of Alexandria in season five, but will return as regulars for season six.

Likewise, fan favorite Lennie James was also promoted to series regular after a handful of appearances.

Morgan is represented by UTA.

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