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Walking Dead Season 2: Let’s Cast It!

November 16th, 2010
Author Troy Brownfield

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.

40 Responses to “Walking Dead Season 2: Let’s Cast It!”
  1. Nappyheadjenkins Says:

    TYRESE AS TYRESE

    MAKE IT HAPPEN

  2. Fred Says:

    “TYRESE AS TYRESE”

    That would be . . . MAYHEM!!!!!

  3. Brion Says:

    The way the show is going, I’d doubt we’ll see Michonne till the 3rd season and the Governor till the 4th.

  4. Steve Davich Says:

    Ian Mcshane as the Governor. That is all.

  5. Anthony Says:

    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/

  6. Acrid_Gunsmoke Says:

    Yeah, because Wikipedia is SUCH a reliable source!!

  7. Steve Says:

    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.

  8. Anthony Says:

    “Yeah, because Wikipedia is SUCH a reliable source!!”

    Just saying…

  9. Anthony Says:

    Cancel that…Keith Allen Hayes’ IMDB page credits him as a zombie only

  10. demoncat Says:

    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.

  11. david Says:

    Danny Trejo as the governor

  12. Scott Says:

    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.

  13. AgentoftheBat Says:

    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!

  14. AgentoftheBat Says:

    There’s Chad Colemans IMDB. Makes it easier, but see?
    Perfect Tyreese.

    http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0170968/

  15. Anthony Says:

    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.

  16. colt Says:

    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.

  17. Joe_KACH Says:

    How many episodes are in Season 1?

    –J.

  18. NeoSamurai Says:

    6 episodes for s1

  19. Dominic Says:

    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.

  20. comic_dude Says:

    @colt:

    Coleman would be great for a lot of roles simply because he is a damn good actor!!! ;-)

  21. XFactorKR Says:

    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

  22. Alistair Says:

    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!

  23. DarkDouglas Says:

    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.

  24. TerLJack Says:

    What about Gina Torres for Michonne? She has a history of playing badasses and would be a great choice!

  25. mzel Says:

    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.

  26. Troy Says:

    Just for the record, I suggested Boris Kodjoe for Tyrese, not Tyrese for Tyrese.

  27. jason Says:

    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.

  28. Kevin Says:

    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).

  29. Matt Says:

    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.

  30. JJKP Says:

    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.

  31. DanMTL Says:

    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 :)

  32. DanMTL Says:

    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

  33. Jack Says:

    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.

  34. Jack Says:

    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.

  35. John L. Says:

    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.

  36. John L. Says:

    and the side plot with his daughter will be replaced with more interaction with hershel’s crazy ass. and an extended encounter with tomas.

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  39. Bob Says:

    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?

  40. jes Says:

    i think michelle rodriguez will be the best actress for michonne.. :) just saying..

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