Michael James Shaw cast as Mercer on The Walking Dead

After rumors swirling about the fandom for a few weeks, it has finally been confirmed that Michael James Shaw will, in fact, be playing Mercer in the final season of The Walking Dead. Mercer is a character who arrived in the last 20 issues of the comic series, but that did not stop readers from adoring him for his strength and heart.

While largely the Commonwealth arc can not be the same due to key characters no longer being in the show, Mercer’s arc could actually mirror his comic counterparts more closely. Key players in making this arc, so final in the comics are Carl, Rick, Michonne, Dwight, Elodie, and Sophia. While some of these characters are dead in the show, some are missing, which means there is more story to tell. Out of all those characters, Mercer only interacts with Rick, and it’s a limited amount. That means this character can largely stay the same even if the bigger picture changes.

What can certainly stay the same when it comes to Mercer is his interactions with Princess. Without diving too much into comic spoilers, Mercer and Princess strike up a rather lovely relationship as it is clear they greatly admire each other strengths. Mercer also has a significant role in the Commonwealth as he is the leader of the guards. If this stays the same in the tv show, fans will know Mercer has arrived by his stunning red armor.

Many characters, including the guards, look up to Mercer and are willing to follow him and any plans he makes. This character becomes a favorite so quickly based on his willingness to stand up for his people and do what is right. Without Mercer, the final arc could have been a lot messier than it actually was, which is saying a lot.

Michael James Shaw will be playing Mercer in the final season of The Walking Dead, airing in the summer of 2021.

Michael James Shaw is known for his roles in Avengers: Endgame, Avengers: Infinity War, and Constantine. Every time he is on screen, he delivers a powerful performance, and many fans are already calling this a perfect casting. Based on his past performances, Shaw can certainly portray Mercer’s great strength in the face of adversity.

If Mercer is kept similar to his comic book counterpart, much like Princess, this character can move mountains. Mercer in the comics is very much a hero to the Commonwealth, and the world needs more strong black heroes on television. It would be a great disservice to fans and the character to alter his integrity too much.

The news of Mercer being cast also comes after a crazy year; COVID-19 wreaked havoc upon the filming industry and The Walking Dead fandom. Getting such good news with casting is what fans needed. Welcome to The Walking Dead family Michael James Shaw. We can’t wait to see what you do with the beloved character Mercer!

What do you think about Michael James Shaw being cast as Mercer? Are you excited to know Mercer will be in the final season of The Walking Dead? Tweet me your thoughts @Mamadeadhead!