Walking Dead creators had quite the task in casting the role of Beta, second in command of the Whisperers. Comic fans expected much from this casting as Beta, from the comics stood 7' tall. The role was brilliantly given to Ryan Hurst of Sons of Anarchy fame, who stands 6' 6", and he did an incredible job in his portrayal of the silent giant.
Beta took orders from Alpha (Samantha Morton) who led the hostile skin wearing group known as the Whisperers. This group used the skin of the undead as camouflage allowing them to walk among them without being detected.
The Whisperers were first introduced in the final scene of episode 906, "Who Are You Now." Eugene (Josh McDermitt) and Rosita (Christian Serratos) hide from a herd of walkers in the woods and are terrified when they hear the group whisper to one another, "Where are they...?" "They must be close..." "Don't let them get away..." Many viewers wondered if the walkers had evolved, but comic fans knew the truth, the Whisperers' arch had begun.
Ryan Hurst as Beta
Beta, a brutal sociopath, was devoted to the Whisperers way of life and quietly went about his work, serving as second in command. When Alpha was killed by Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), Beta then become the de-factor leader until his death at the hands of Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus).
His size and strength combined with his fighting skills, made him a formidable opponent you'd never want to cross. Although he obeyed Alpha
Beta shed his former self to become a Whisperer but is sometimes recognized for the man he used to be. Before the outbreak, Beta was known as Half Moon, a famous country musician. This is why he was never seen without his mask, he wanted to rid himself of his former persona.
Fun bits of TWDU trivia concerning Half Moon:
- In "Here's Negan," Lucille (Hilarie Burton Morgan) is seen wearing a Half Moon concert tee.
- In Fear the Walking Dead, Half Moon is seen on one of Daniel's (Ruben Blades) album covers.
- In World Beyond, Half Moon is seen on an album cover in Dennis' (Maximilian Osinski) room.
In the end, Beta, bleeding from the knife wounds inflicted by Daryl, smiled as a horde of walkers took him down believing that he didn't waver from the Whisperers way of life, even in death.
Hurst is well know for his roles in Sons of Anarchy, Remember the Titans, We Were Soldiers, Saving Private Ryan, and more.
It was recently announced that Hurst, Jon Bernthal, Corey Hawkins, and Samantha Morton have been cast in Christopher Nolan's latest project, The Odyssey.
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