The Walking Dead: Dead City's second season has introduced several new characters, including one who is giving Negan a run for his money in the villainy and comedy arenas.
Fans of The Walking Dead's Negan Smith, portrayed by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, were delighted to learn that Negan's story would continue in the spinoff The Walking Dead: Dead City. After his long-fought-for redemption in the main series, viewers were eager to see where Negan's new path would take him.
The first season of Dead City revealed that Negan sent his wife Annie (Medina Senghore) and their son Joshua to Missouri in order to keep them safe. This was after he killed several men from New Babylon for attacking his wife and became a wanted man. When Maggie (Lauren Cohan) located Negan, he was carrying for a young girl, Ginny (Mahina Napoleon), the daughter of one of the men he killed, reinforcing the fact that his attempts at redemption for his past sins was real.
The second season of the series finds Negan back to his old ways, complete with a new and improved Lucille. So what gives? He is being blackmailed by the Dama (Lisa Emery), a brutal and powerful woman in Manhattan. He has come alongside her and the Croat (Željko Ivanek), a former member of his Saviors, to join the rival gangs on the island to come against New Babylon.
Enter in...Bruegel, a member of the fiercest gang in Manhattan who is quite unhinged, perhaps more so than Negan at his height, and the man is hilarious.
Dead City - Bruegel
Portrayed by Kim Coates, who recently portrayed Brigham Young in the Netflix series American Primeval, Bruegel was introduced in episode 1, "Power Equals Power," where his eccentric appearance quickly made him a fan favorite without uttering a word. In episode 4, "Feisty Friendly," Coates truly outdid himself with his over-the-top performance.
Coates shared details about Bruegel in a recent interview. He was a multi, multi-millionaire hedge fund CEO who, after the outbreak, took refuge in his own bunker. After a year or so, believing it was safe to come out, forms the biggest, baddest gang in NYC, who now reside at The Met. "He's conniving, he's funny, he's a dink, he's smart, he's a coward."
Coward he may be, but he doesn't appear to fear Negan. The fourth episode really shines a light on Bruegel, whose deep appreciation for art is revealed in his fine collection. He welcomes Negan, the Dama, and the Croat into his museum and gives them a tour. The purpose of this visit is to convince Bruegel to join forces to defeat New Babylon's army in the battle for methane production.
Just like Morgan, Coates knows how to play a villain in such a way that viewers can help but love them. His quick wit and sarcasm make him almost lovable until you see the sadistic side of him. This is partially revealed when he transforms his former bodyguard into a walker-type pet to fight in the gladiator ring, and Bruegel doesn't bat an eye when he kills the former bodyguard to keep the secret quiet.
A battle between Bruegel and Negan is almost assured as the second season of The Walking Dead: Dead City continues. New episodes release weekly on Sundays on AMC and AMC+, with the season finale airing on June 22.