The Walking Dead star Josh McDermitt has talked about his character’s surprise turn in a new interview.
Last week’s episode saw McDermitt’s character Eugene go against his band of survivors and join uber-villain Negan’s crew.
Speaking in an interview with NME, McDermitt said: “When I read it in the script, I was initially so excited. I threw my hands in the air like ‘Yes’, it’s such a great turn. But then I got scared. You don’t go against Rick Grimes and have the fans embrace you still. It’s only recently I’ve got over the backlash of not actually having ‘the cure’.”
“Seriously, Chris Hardwick, who hosts The Talking Dead, said a couple of weeks ago: ‘I understand that a lot of the fans feel like this show is a documentary'”.
AMCHe added: “I was so afraid of this backlash but it’s been amazing. I think people understand where this character is and they’re kind of giving him a pass. I get asked a lot if he’s really ‘Team Negan’ or what are his intentions but the truth is I don’t want to know. I’ve told Scott Gimple, our showrunner ‘Let me just play it how you give it to me’ and it also helps with people trying to read my face.’
So, I’m playing it that he’s ‘Team Negan’. If it says I’m ‘Team Negan’ then that’s what I’m doing.”
Josh continued, on the topic of his character’s new-found allegiance: “After watching his friends die and picking up the pieces, Eugene’s thinking ‘I don’t ever want to feel like this again’. He’s trying to figure out how he can live in this world again and he’s got the Apex predator going ‘hey align with me and you don’t ever have to feel scared again.’ I think everyone would take that deal.”
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The seventh season of The Walking Dead is continuing in the US and UK – although two of the main character were recently rumoured to be leaving the show.