You know how this works, gang. Granted, we haven’t even really met all of the characters from the first trade yet, and that’s okay. The news that AMC has picked up The Walking Dead for a second season has me looking down the road a bit. Here are four key roles and four actors that I like for them. Kick in with your opinions and choices, but don’t be limited by my four characters; you know that there are PLENTY to choose from.
Michonne: For the katana-wielding zombie killing machine, I like Sanaa Lathan. She’s played several strong women and has a genre track record. She’s also not opposed to TV, having done a run on “Nip/Tuck”.
The Governor: One of the most reliable go-to villain actors around, Wincott’s got all the essentials for the insane leader of Woodbury. You know him from “The Crow”, “The Three Musketeers”, “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves”, and many, many more. With his unmistakable voice (not to mention familiarity with both long hair and eye-patches), he’s a great choice.
Tyrese: I know that some people think that T-Dog IS Tyrese, but it seems pretty clear from a couple of Kirkman interviews, a Darabont comment, and one recent “Walking Dead” letters page that this IS NOT the case. If we indeed get Tyrese in Season Two, might I suggest Boris Kodjoe, late of “Undercovers”. He looks like he could have played in the NFL. Plus, look at that hat! That’s Tyrese’s hat! Give this man a hammer and let him go to work.
Axel: Sam Elliott IS Axel. You follow me?
How about you, readers? Let ‘em fly.




November 16th, 2010 at 12:04 pm
TYRESE AS TYRESE
MAKE IT HAPPEN
November 16th, 2010 at 12:30 pm
“TYRESE AS TYRESE”
That would be . . . MAYHEM!!!!!
November 16th, 2010 at 2:31 pm
The way the show is going, I’d doubt we’ll see Michonne till the 3rd season and the Governor till the 4th.
November 16th, 2010 at 2:47 pm
Ian Mcshane as the Governor. That is all.
November 16th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
Wikipedia already idicates that Tyrese has been cast for Season 1 (probably for the finale) and will be played by Keith Allen Hayes. His IMDB page: http://www.imdb.com/name/nm3193955/
November 16th, 2010 at 3:01 pm
Yeah, because Wikipedia is SUCH a reliable source!!
November 16th, 2010 at 3:06 pm
I always wanted to see Angela Bassett as Michonne… but now I like the idea of Sanaa Lathan portraying her. And, I like the idea of Boris Kodjoe as Tyrese as well.
November 16th, 2010 at 3:08 pm
“Yeah, because Wikipedia is SUCH a reliable source!!”
Just saying…
November 16th, 2010 at 3:14 pm
Cancel that…Keith Allen Hayes’ IMDB page credits him as a zombie only
November 16th, 2010 at 3:26 pm
definitly wincot for the governor for after all the big bad of walking dead needs some one who has the experiance of playing insane evil guys like Wincot. the governor is rumored to be part of season two.
November 16th, 2010 at 3:27 pm
Danny Trejo as the governor
November 16th, 2010 at 3:29 pm
Considering Darabont said season 2 would most likely end with them finding the prison (which, IIRC happened at the end of the 3rd volume), it’s unlikely the Governor or Axel would appear until season 3.
November 16th, 2010 at 4:00 pm
Seriously? Tyreese? Thats the worst casting I’ve ever heard in my life. He’s awful!
Was that just, “Hey, I need a black guy to play Tyreese…HEY HOW ABOUT TYREESE?! SAME NAME!”
Lazy. Terrible.
Tyreese should be played by Chad Coleman (from The Wire)
Look him up. He’s perfect.
Ian Mcshane is an awesome choice for the Governor, whenever that happens, good pick, Steve!
November 16th, 2010 at 4:04 pm
There’s Chad Colemans IMDB. Makes it easier, but see?
Perfect Tyreese.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0170968/
November 16th, 2010 at 4:19 pm
I like the fact that they are going with relative unknowns. What I like about WD now is that when I look at the characters, I see only the character. I hate watching shows and then say to myself, “Oh that’s whats-his-face from whats-that-show/movie”. Keep the big, household names off my Walking Dead.
November 16th, 2010 at 4:46 pm
Governor is probly season 3. They will find the prison at the end of the first season. Chad Coleman has GOT to play Tyrese like Agentofthebat said. That is some solid thinking bro.
November 16th, 2010 at 5:32 pm
How many episodes are in Season 1?
–J.
November 16th, 2010 at 6:19 pm
6 episodes for s1
November 16th, 2010 at 6:58 pm
way its going now i think that season one will end exactly (or just after) volume 1 with *spoiler* *spoilering* *spoiler* from seeing where there up to now and with only three episodes to go and now that there is thirteen episodes for season two i reakon they do volume two and three for that, so unfortuatly no michonne or governor for a while.
November 16th, 2010 at 6:59 pm
@colt:
Coleman would be great for a lot of roles simply because he is a damn good actor!!!
November 16th, 2010 at 8:42 pm
AgentoftheBat if you actually read the article they didn’t suggest Tyrese to play Tyrese. The picture is of Boris Kodjoe. They say his name in the article. Chill out and read next time
November 16th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
For Michonne, Sanaa Lathan – she look good but I would go with
Angela Basset
For Tyrese
Chad Coleman looks more like Tyrese than Keith Allen Hayes
Sam Elliott IS Axel. I agree.
Wincott for the Governor is interesting. However I’m sorry to bust your bubble, Merle is going to be the Governor. I blogged about it last week. Here!
November 16th, 2010 at 9:32 pm
I too am also digging the generally unknown actor/actress being cast in TWD as having a “known” actor playing a part would kinda draw me out of the story as well.
I do disagree however on Michonne or the Governor not showing up until after Season 3. As we’ve seen and Darabonte has already done they’re not beyond mixing up the sequence of things to tell a good story. I imagine we’ll be seeing both characters pretty quickly into Season 2.
November 17th, 2010 at 6:49 am
What about Gina Torres for Michonne? She has a history of playing badasses and would be a great choice!
November 17th, 2010 at 7:54 am
Like Sanaa Lathan, but no Tyrese for tyrese. I think Tyrese should be played by michael Jai White and wincott is a good choice for the gov. On a podcast about the walking dead i do believe that Charlie Adlard said that they are rushing to put Michonne in there because of her popularity, so she may be in the second season.
November 17th, 2010 at 9:46 am
Just for the record, I suggested Boris Kodjoe for Tyrese, not Tyrese for Tyrese.
November 17th, 2010 at 11:58 am
Sanaa is good. Kerry Washington or Kimberly Elise would be better. Boris Kodjoe is a male model who can’t act his way out of a paper bag. Let’s have an actor please. Maybe one of the amazing guys from The Wire.
November 17th, 2010 at 11:43 pm
Robert Knepper as The Governor: After Carnivale, Prison Break and Stargate Universe, it’s the only logical choice.
Charles Malik Whitfield (Supernatural’s Agent Victor Henriksen) as Tyrese.
Kandyse McClure (Battlestar Galactica’s Lt. Anastasia Dualla) as Michonne.
Sam Anderson (Lost, Angel) as Axel. Or for irony’s sake, Terry Kinney (Oz).
November 19th, 2010 at 10:21 pm
I like Sanaa as Michonne too. By the way season 1 must end just like the sixth comic ended or I’ll be pissed. Discovery of the prison will be midway through next season and the Governor and Woodsbury will be the finale.
November 21st, 2010 at 7:52 pm
Im more interested in who will play Hershal and Maggie. Sam Elliott would make a better Hershal than Axel due to body type, age and pretty much everything else.
November 22nd, 2010 at 9:51 pm
Governor = I thought about McShane as well. Even while reading the comics I was thinking of McShane. He was pure genius in Deadwoods and there’s many similarities between both characters.
Let it be him. The rest, I don’t care
November 22nd, 2010 at 10:01 pm
Actually, Axel could be played by Jeff Fahey even he’s not a large man. I am sure he would do an amazing job.
For Thomas, I would cast Robin Williams.
See here:
http://www2.tbo.com/exposure/full/2009/07/08/6064_robin-williams.jpg
December 12th, 2010 at 8:46 am
For the most part, all of these actors need to be relatively indy, and can’t be recognized by the majority (in order to follow the conventions of the rest of the series). Secondly I don’t think we’ll make it to the prison, Or if we do the season will end with them just walking in to find Axel and the rest.
In my opinion, Michonne will be showing up earlier (I think they’ve announced that). All of the Hershells will also be featured I imagine, as his farm came before the prison.
Also, I have a feeling they may have to hold of on Tyrese for a little while. The beginning of the second season will already mean enough characters, and they already have T-Dawg, who may not be Tyrese but could act as a replacement for now.
Oh and we definitely won’t be getting the governor, though his appearance could also mark one of the “end of season” moments.
IMO, the only important ones here to be revealed will be the Hershells and Michonne.
December 12th, 2010 at 8:49 am
On another note, I’ve never been a fan of Michonne. Lawyer/Fencer turned epic survivalist? I highly doubt it, and if they don’t want season 2 to turn instantly ridiculous when she shows up with a katana and 2 pet zombies, they’ll tone her down quite a bit. I imagine she won’t have either of the zombies, she’ll have a sword but it won’t play as huge a role. Oh and the focus will be on her “insanity” rather than her cold, survivalist nature.
December 31st, 2010 at 1:59 pm
In my opinion, although it may seem nuts, is that tyreese won’t even be in the show at all. and some of his actions and character traits will fall on to shane. maybe t-dog a small bit. its eaiser that way especially when you add derrel dixon to the mix…and merle.
December 31st, 2010 at 2:02 pm
and the side plot with his daughter will be replaced with more interaction with hershel’s crazy ass. and an extended encounter with tomas.
January 17th, 2011 at 3:16 pm
Dang i thought your blog was killer, gave me a car load of information, i never knew, thanks blogger.
January 17th, 2011 at 6:20 pm
Finally a blog that didnt contradict it self, amazing writing.
March 24th, 2011 at 7:32 am
Season two of The Walking Dead is going to be amazing. My vote for actress playing Michonne is Tracie Thoms. I don’t know how you like to watch TV or what your personal preference is, but I enjoy the series on AMC in HD. But just a heads up if you have DirecTV, you can’t watch The Walking Dead on AMC in HD because they don’t carry the AMC channel in HD. Good news though, you can with DISH Network. That means you get zombies in HD with DISH! As a customer and employee of DISH I can’t say how happy I’ve been since I made the switch. Don’t you want to see your zombies in HD?
October 26th, 2011 at 11:20 am
i think michelle rodriguez will be the best actress for michonne..
just saying..