What happened to Jesus in The Walking Dead?

Actor Tom Payne is well known for his role as Paul Rovia, or as his friends call him, Jesus. Introduced in season 6, Payne did a fantastic job bringing this character from the comic story, created by Robert Kirkman to life.

Jesus first met Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Daryl (Norman Reedus), but he didn't make a good first impression and found himself jailed at Alexandria. He would eventually bring Rick's group to his community, Hilltop, where he introduced them to Gregory, portrayed by Xander Berkeley. This would also be the first time Rick and the other survivors heard of Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan).

Jesus was skilled in martial arts and hand-to-hand combat, making him an asset. He established a good working relationship with Gregory and would seek out other communities to trade with. When Negan and the Saviors arrive demanding half of their supplies with the promise to leave them in peace, Hilltop experiences a period of desperation as they try to scavange enough supplies for both groups.

He becomes an important part of the story and, after the war with Negan, works hard to allow the remaining Saviors to live among the communities, believing they can redeem themselves. Maggie (Lauren Cohan) didn't approve of Rick and Michonne's (Danai Gurira) choice to allow Negan to live, a subject that Daryl and Jesus agreed with, and set out to prove to Rick this was the wrong choice.

The Walking Dead - Jesus

By season 9, Jesus and Maggie were great friends, and when she leaves with her son Hershel, Jesus takes over leadership of Hilltop, a role he doesn't believe he is made for. He instead leaves Hilltop in Tara's (Alanna Masterson) leadership and lives in the wilderness, still keeping in touch with the communities.

In season 9, episode 8, "Evolution," fans would receive a shock when Jesus is killed. This is one death that AMC didn't spoil with announcements of Payne's departure. While Jesus was an amazing character, and it was sad to see him die, his death was one of the best in the series.

The survivors begin noticing some strange behavior in hordes of walkers. Eugene (Josh McDermitt) heard them talking to one another, believing the walkers may have evolved. Jesus and Daryl also see a horde walking in a strange formation. This, of course, is the introduction to the Whisperers.

Aaron, Eugene, and Jesus become trapped in a cemetery with several walkers; Jesus stays behind to continue the fight, allowing the others to escape. As he is about to kill the final walker, it dodges his blow and stabs him from behind, telling him, "You are where you do not belong."

It was a sad and shocking death but one worthy of a character as amazing as Jesus.

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