Throughout The Walking Dead's 12-year run, many characters featured in the source material, the comic books created by Robert Kirkman, appeared in the series. Several of these characters looked as if they walked directly from the comic page onto the screen. That is the case with Paul Rovia, aka Jesus, a member of the Hilltop Colony.
In episode 610, "The Next World," Jesus encountered Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Rick (Andrew Lincoln) while on a supply run. This initial meeting goes south, as Jesus steals the supply truck they recently acquired, which was eventually lost in a pond. Daryl and Rick take the unconscious man back to Alexandria.
Jesus, who was portrayed by Tom Payne, may have had a rocky introduction to our survivors but he eventually came alongside them, joining their survival efforts. He was the person who first told Rick and Co. about Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), leader of the Saviors, a group which demanded half of their supplies in exchange for protection.
The death of Jesus shocked viewers. During season 9, when the survivors really knew nothing of the Whisperers, Jesus was set upon by a Whisperer camouflaged in a herd of walkers. Set in a foggy grave yard, the scene looked like it could be featured in an 80s slasher film.
Jesus offers to hold off the horde as the rest of the group assisted Eugene (Josh McDermitt), who was injured. Much to his shock, when he attempted to take down a walker, it ducked and then stabbed him, saying, "You are where you do not belong." Viewers took a minute to register what they saw: a walker defending itself and speaking, but no, this was the introduction to the Whisperers.
Tom Payne - recent and upcoming roles
Actor Tom Payne portrayed Jesus in The Walking Dead from season 6 until his death in season 9. Payne is well known for his roles as Brett Aspinall in BBC's Waterloo Road and as Malcom Bright in Prodigal Son.
In 2024, Payne appeared in the supernatural horror film Imaginary. In the movie, a woman and her family return to her childhood home. Here she discovers that her daughter's imaginary friend isn't so imaginary. The film also stars DeWanda Wise, Taegen Burns, Pyper Braun, and Verónica Falcón.
Payne also stars in Kevin Costner's latest epic western, Horizon: An American Sage - Chapter 1, that was released in 2024. The story takes place during the American Civil War and chronicles the stories of settlers during the westward expansion of the United States. Payne will also appear in Chapter 2, which according to IMDB, will be released on April 3, 2025.
You can also see Payne as a recurring character, Julian Emery, in season 4 of Law & Order: Organized Crime. He will reprise his role as Rob Cole in The Physician II, which is scheduled to release in Dec. 2025.
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