It’s hard to imagine The Walking Dead without its most memorable faces. But the truth is, some of these iconic actors nearly never stepped onto the set. Casting for a show of this magnitude was anything but easy, and behind the camera, near-misses, last-minute decisions, and unexpected setbacks nearly robbed the world of performances that would go down in television history.
In this article, we're looking back at four Walking Dead actors who almost didn’t make it onto the zombie series. Get ready to be surprised as we reveal the shocking behind-the-scenes casting stories of some of the show's most beloved actors!
Andrew Lincoln
Walking Dead fans know Andrew Lincoln best for his portrayal of Rick Grimes, the fearless sheriff turned reluctant leader in the zombie series. But did you know that he wasn’t actually the show’s first choice for the role? Early in development, another actor was reportedly considered to play Rick.
Frank Darabont, the show’s original showrunner, initially wanted his frequent collaborator Thomas Jane, known for The Mist, to take on the part. According to Screen Rant, Jane was attached when Darabont first pitched the series to HBO, but the network ultimately passed on the project. By the time The Walking Dead found a home at AMC, Jane had already committed to another show, leaving the door open for Lincoln.
It’s fascinating to think about how different the character and the show itself might have been if Jane had taken the role instead of Lincoln. While Jane is an incredible actor himself, his interpretation of Rick would have brought a very different energy, tone, and presence to the series. Everything worked out the way it should, in my opinion!
Norman Reedus
Norman Reedus, known for playing crossbow-wielding survivor Daryl Dixon, is another actor who almost didn’t make it onto The Walking Dead. It was pilot season, and Reedus, who was primarily focused on movies at the time, had never really done television before. His agent encouraged him to audition in Los Angeles, even though most of the scripts he received were for typical doctor or cop shows.
When he finally read The Walking Dead script, he immediately knew it was the one he wanted. But his agent doubted a zombie show would ever succeed. He decided to audition anyway and originally auditioned for Merle Dixon. However, that role was already set for Michael Rooker. Fortunately, Darabont loved Reedus’s audition so much that he created a brand-new character just for him. That character ended up being Daryl.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan
Negan is one of the most memorable (former) villains in The Walking Dead history, known for his ruthless charm, dark humor, and of course, his infamous barbed-wire bat, Lucille. But the man we now associate with that sinister grin, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, wasn’t the only actor considered for the role. During early auditions, actors like Matthew Lillard came very close to landing the part, and names such as Garret Dillahunt were also tied to early discussions.
Even Henry Rollins, whose look partly inspired the comic book version of Negan, auditioned for the role but ultimately lost out. Interestingly, the comic book creator, Robert Kirkman, once said his personal favorite pick for Negan would have been Jon Hamm, though the Mad Men star never actually auditioned. In the end, Morgan landed the role and brought Negan to life in a way that became iconic. Although the original series ended a couple years back, fans continue to watch Morgan in The Walking Dead: Dead City.
Sonequa Martin-Green
Sonequa Martin-Green is best known for portraying Sasha Williams on The Walking Dead, a tough, resilient survivor who became a fan favorite. But she almost didn’t join the series at all. Before landing the role of Sasha, Martin-Green originally auditioned for the part of Michonne.
While she didn’t get that role, the casting team was so impressed with her performance that they created Sasha’s character specifically for her. Yes, that means Sasha does not have a comic book counterpart. She exists purely because of Martin-Green’s talent and the impression she made during her audition. Without that first audition, she may never have become part of the show, proving that sometimes a “miss” can lead to an entirely new opportunity.
The Walking Dead can be streamed on Netflix.