The Walking Dead series forever changed with the introduction of Negan Smith (Jeffrey Dean Morgan). First introduced in the comics created by Robert Kirkman, Negan was a cocky, foul-mouthed, brutal man who was the leader of a group known as the Saviors.
Negan's name was heard for several episodes before he made his first apperance in the season 6 finale, "Last Day on Earth." Negan ordered his men to round up Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and other from his group to atone for the killing of many of his people. Negan spelled out his plan to use Rick's group members to work for him but in order to hit home the gravity of their crimes, he would have to "beat the holy hell" out of one of them.
When he first appeared, Morgan was cast as a special guest and promoted to the main cast in seasons 7-11. Throughout his time on the series, he appeared in 63 episodes, appearing in 6 episodes of Dead City season 1. Negan's story will continue in the eight-part second season of Dead City. This doesn't come close to Norman Reedus' 146 episodes as Daryl Dixon, but he had the advantage of starring in the series since season 1.
Here's Negan
Negan fans were excited to see his origin story in the season 10 episode "Here's Negan." This episode was even more exciting as his wife, Hilarie Burton Morgan, portrayed his on-screen wife and weapon's namesake, Lucille. The episode was filmed during the COVID pandemic and included in the season 10 bonus episodes.
Morgan is beloved actor as his character Negan who experienced a significant transformation throughout his main series story. He has the greatest redemption arc of the series but will revert to his old ways in the upcoming season of the Dead City spinoff.
Recently, Morgan, along with fellow Walking Dead actor Angel Theory (Kelly), appeared in a new horror film, Bloody Axe Wound. He is also well known for his roles as Denny Duquette in Grey's Anatomy, John Winchester in Supernatural, Comedian in Watchmen, and more recently, Joe Kessler in The Boys.
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