A key character from The Walking Dead comics will be joining the Season 6 cast and should help Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) try to keep order in the community of Alexandria.
The Wrap is reporting that British actor Tom Payne has been cast by AMC to portray Paul ‘Jesus’ Monroe in Season 6 with an option to appear in Season 7 as well. With the first half of Season 6 already in the books and at least several back half episodes in the can, Jesus isn’t expected to appear until the last few Season 6 episodes, if not the finale.
In Robert Kirkman’s TWD comics, Jesus is a highly intelligent character who befriends Rick to fend off the Saviors, a group led by Negan that threatens the sanctity of Alexandria. We still need to deal with the Wolves in Season 6 so don’t expect the Saviors to show up in the season premiere.
Payne, who turns 33 this December, worked in the TV series Luck and Wuthering Heights as well as several film roles including My Funny Valentine and Inheritance. His portrayal of Jesus could be the performance that puts him on the map and potentially rivals Norman Reedus for the lady fans currently infatuated with Daryl Dixon.
The Walking Dead Season 6 premieres October 11 at 9/8c on AMC.
