Update: November 26, 2017
Lennie James to Exit THE WALKING DEAD to Join FEAR THE WALKING DEAD
AMC's
The Walking Dead is set to see one series regular jump to spinoff series
Fear the Walking Dead.
Fan favorite Lennie James is officially moving from the flagship to the prequel where he will continue to play Morgan Jones. The announcement was made Sunday when James was a surprise guest on
Talking Dead.
"Morgan's arc in
The Walking Dead season eight positioned him for the story on
Fear the Walking Dead," Walking Dead showrunner Scott M. Gimple said via a statement read by
Talking Dead host Chris Hardwick. "It was also important to see
Fear's world and characters through new, yet familiar eyes."
For his part, James said he begins filming
Fear on Monday, with his scenes to be streamed live via the show's social media accounts. The actor, who was the first person Rick (Andrew Lincoln) encountered after waking up from his coma in the show's pilot, wrapped production on the Atlanta-set
Walking Dead days ago and appeared on
Talking Dead via satellite from Austin, where the show is moving its production.
"From the very first moment the whole suggestion of Morgan going over to
Fear the Walking dead, the hardest part of that, from beginning to now, has been leaving
The Walking Dead," James said. "Leaving that cast, leaving that crew. I've said my goodbyes to the cast and I've said my goodbyes to the crew. … That show stands or falls on the back of that crew. And I'm going to miss them very much."
James move to
Fear the Walking Dead also confirms news that
THR previously reported
— that the prequel
series is moving its filming location to Texas — a shift that was set up in the finale's narrative as a new villain (Ray McKinnon) set sail for "what's left of Houston" with Alicia (co-star Alycia Debnam-Carey).
James' addition to
Fear comes as the lesser-rated series is amid a major reset for its upcoming fourth season. Showrunner Dave Erickson, who developed the series with
Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman, exited the show after the season three finale. Andrew Chambliss and Ian Goldberg (
Once Upon a Time) will take over as showrunners for season four, with
Walking Dead boss Gimple also joining the spinoff as an executive producer.
Fear has also bolstered its cast with stars Garret Dillahunt and Jenna Elfman boarding as series regulars. Details on their characters are being kept under wraps.
'The Walking Dead' Favorite Lennie James to Exit, Joins Spinoff 'Fear the Walking Dead'