Jeffrey Dean Morgan hints at his possible exit from ‘The Walking Dead’ universe as the iconic villain Negan ahead of Dead City Season 2, leaving fans wondering about the future of one of television’s most complex character dynamics.
At a Glance
- Jeffrey Dean Morgan has played the villainous Negan for nearly ten years but suggests he may be “dangerously close” to ending his run
- “The Walking Dead: Dead City” Season 2 premieres May 4, 2025, on AMC and AMC+
- The spin-off explores the complex relationship between Negan and Maggie (Lauren Cohan) in post-apocalyptic Manhattan
- Negan’s infamous weapon Lucille returns in Season 2, adding new dimensions to his character journey
- Morgan recently left his handprints on the Cannes Walk of Fame, celebrating with his family at the Canneseries premiere
A Villain’s Uncertain Future
Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s portrayal of Negan in “The Walking Dead” universe has captivated audiences since the character’s introduction in the sixth season of the original series. As “Dead City” enters its second season, Morgan has indicated that his tenure as the bat-wielding antagonist may be coming to an end. The actor, who originally expected to play the role for only four years, has now been embodying Negan for nearly a decade, but recent comments suggest a conclusion might be on the horizon.
At the Canneseries premiere of “The Walking Dead: Dead City,” Morgan reflected on his extensive time in the role, stating, “This has been part of my life for so long now that I don’t ever picture it ending unless I finally say I’m too old to do this anymore, which I am getting dangerously close to.” This statement has sparked considerable speculation among fans about how the show might handle the potential departure of one of its most iconic characters.
The Unlikely Partnership
“The Walking Dead: Dead City,” the first sequel to the original “Walking Dead” series and the fifth show in the franchise, centers on the unlikely alliance between Negan and Maggie. Their relationship is particularly fraught given their history—Negan brutally murdered Maggie’s husband Glenn in one of the most shocking moments of the original series. This dynamic creates a constant tension that drives the narrative forward as the characters navigate a post-apocalyptic Manhattan.
“It’s interesting, especially doing this spinoff with two characters who want to kill each other 90% of the time, because I had never heard of this being a workable concept before. Yet, here we are, with season two coming out and talking about doing more. We’ll see.”, said Jeffrey Dean Morgan.
Morgan, who serves as an executive producer alongside Cohan, initially expressed uncertainty about the spin-off’s concept but has acknowledged its success in securing a second season. The show delves deeper than just zombie encounters, exploring themes of greed, resource scarcity, and privilege through the lens of human interactions in a devastated world.
The Return of Lucille
One of the most significant developments in the upcoming season is the return of Negan’s infamous barbed-wire-wrapped baseball bat, Lucille, named after his late wife. The weapon, which became synonymous with Negan’s reign of terror, returns in a new iteration that will reportedly have a profound impact on the character’s journey. For Morgan, the connection to this prop transcends acting.
According to Jeffrey Dean Morgan: “I knew she’d be back a year before we started shooting, and I was excited. I’m not a prop actor. I know some actors [whose props] inform their whole character, and I had never had a prop like that until I met Lucille. I completely understand it now. To have her back in my hands was more important to me, Jeff, than it was even to Negan. Negan is a little bit thrown off having Lucille back in his life. Jeff was fucking thrilled. I loved it. I don’t let the prop guys take her from me. She goes to my trailer with me, she goes to craft services with me. I keep her with me all day long and don’t let people play with her.”
A Personal Milestone
Amid the promotion for the new season, Morgan celebrated a personal achievement at Canneseries, where he left his handprints on the Cannes Walk of Fame. The event held special significance as he was joined by his wife, Hilarie Burton, and their two children, marking a family milestone as his daughter experienced her first red carpet and his son showed natural poise during the events.
“The Walk of Fame thing was huge. To have my family there made it even more special. I love my kids and my wife so much. My wife had never been to Cannes; my daughter had never walked a carpet in her life, and, boy, she took to it like a fish to water. Both my kids did. I was convinced after day one that [my son] Gus was going to walk away with a multi-picture deal from Paramount, he was just so cool.”, added Dean Morgan.
As “The Walking Dead: Dead City” Season 2 approaches its May 4 premiere, fans are preparing for what could be the beginning of Morgan’s farewell to a character that has defined a significant chapter of television horror. The series, under showrunner Jorné and with oversight from Scott M. Gimple, continues to expand the Walking Dead universe while potentially preparing for a major transition in its character landscape.
