The Walking Dead ended already, but its legacy is still very much alive, and so is the devotion of its fanbase. Even after the series finale aired, audiences didn’t simply scatter to the next big thing. Instead, they did what passionate fandoms always do.
They followed the people who brought the story to life. The cast may have left the zombie apocalypse behind, but fans have been keeping up with each new casting announcement, every red carpet appearance, and every teaser trailer for upcoming projects. Supporting these actors has become the next chapter of the journey.
In fact, for many viewers, watching these stars evolve beyond The Walking Dead has become just as exciting as the show itself once was. Recently, a beloved cast member from the zombie series has joined a new project. This is pretty big because it marks their official return to television after a two-year break!
Walking Dead actor Michael Cudlitz joins the cast of Marshals on CBS
Walking Dead fans know Michael Cudlitz for playing Abraham Ford, the tough, no-nonsense survivor whose presence on the show was impossible to ignore. Abraham was introduced in the zombie series' fourth season, alongside two other fan-favorite characters, in what would be one of the show's most memorable introductions. However, he would also meet a really brutal and tragic end at the hands of Negan in the season 7 premiere.
Now, the talented actor behind the Abraham character is stepping into a very different world. Cudlitz is trading the zombie apocalypse for the rugged, high-stakes world of Montana ranching and law enforcement. He's joined the cast of CBS's latest drama, Marshals, as a guest star. His casting comes as a surprise because he wasn't a part of the initial rollout or early announcements for the show. However, Entertainment Weekly was the first to report on his casting a few days ago.
For those unaware, Marshals is an upcoming neo-Western series that serves as both a spinoff and a sequel to Yellowstone. It's also the fourth show in the Yellowstone franchise. Created by Spencer Hudnut, Marshals follows Kayce Dutton (played by Luke Grimes) as he transitions from life on the ranch to a career as a U.S. Marshal in Montana.
The series explores Kayce’s efforts to navigate federal law enforcement along with his family and personal responsibilities. Cudlitz steps in as Randall Clegg, the head of a powerful ranching family that rivals the Duttons. CBS dropped a teaser trailer giving fans their first glimpse of Cudlitz in action, and it’s clear that Randall is not someone Kayce will take lightly.
Take a look at the thrilling teaser below!
Unfortunately, we won't see Cudlitz in the first episode of the first season or the second. He's not set to appear until the third episode, "Road to Nowhere," which doesn't air until March 15. That means fans will have to exercise a bit of patience before witnessing his triumphant return to television. However, it's confirmed that he'll appear in multiple episodes. So, that's good news!
Besides Grimes and Cudlitz, the Marshals season 1 cast also includes Arielle Kebbel, Ash Santos, Tatanka Means, Gil Birmingham, Mo Brings Plenty, Brecken Merrill, and many others.
Marshals is set to premiere on CBS and Paramount+ on Sunday, March 1.