Walking Dead universe: Lennie James ‘end of the road for Morgan’

Actor Lennie James has played Morgan Jones since the pilot episode of The Walking Dead in 2010. Morgan would prove instrumental in the life of Walking Dead hero Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), and the two would cross paths several times during the 11-season run of that series. In the season 8 midseason finale of Fear the Walking Dead, Morgan makes a walkie call out to his old friend, and he, along with his daughter Mo (Zoey Merchant), goes off searching for Rick. Is this the end of Morgan’s story or the beginning of a new chapter?

Fans of The Walking Dead universe know that in season 4 of Fear the Walking Dead, James would become the first actor to crossover to a spinoff series. For his mental health, his character Morgan needed to be on his own. He would soon cross paths with John Dorie (Garett Dillahunt) and become vital to the Fear the Walking Dead storyline.

In Jan. 2023, AMC announced that the eighth season of Fear the Walking Dead would be the last. This disappointed the die-hard fans of the series, but with how things went in season 7, it is time to put this story to bed.

Fear the Walking Dead –  Lennie James as Morgan Jones

In the midseason finale of season 8, “All I See Is Red,” Morgan experienced a lot of emotions and reverted to the “seeing red” phase he first experienced in season 3 of The Walking Dead. Fresh of the loss of his love Grace (Karen David), and a return trip to King County, Georgia, where he finally put his family to rest, it is no surprise that Morgan went into “clear” mode.

By the end of the episode, he regained control and decided that he and Mo needed to go off on their own. They buried Grace in Eastman’s cemetery and made one last surprise call on the walkie to Rick Grimes.

In an interview with Comicbook.com, James confirmed that “All I See Is Red” is Morgan’s last episode on Fear TWD.

James had this to say when asked if his final scene leaves the door open for Morgan to return to TWDU and reunite with Rick.

"In all honesty, every and anything is possible. And I know it’s something that a certain percentage of our fans would like. I would show up to work with Andy again any time. But anybody who knows me knows I’m fiercely protective of Morgan’s story. And as far as I’m concerned, at this particular moment in time, this is the end of the road for Morgan. You’ll only see him again if a story comes up within the universe that is just too good to say no to."

While it appears this is the end of Morgan’s story, James would be open if a story too good to refuse comes alone. So, for fans of Morgan Jones, there is hope for a return.

Fear the Walking Dead season 8, part 2, will premiere in the fall of 2023.

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