A Family Affair at Cannes

The premiere of The Walking Dead: Dead City at Cannes was particularly memorable for Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Accompanied by his wife, Hilarie Burton, and their two children, Morgan described the event as “an incredible honor,” especially as he left his handprints on the Cannes Walk of Fame.

Reflecting on the experience, he shared, “The Walk of Fame thing was huge. To have my family there made it even more special. I love my kids and my wife so much.” He noted that it was their first time at Cannes, and his daughter embraced the red carpet experience with enthusiasm, while his son, Gus, seemed to impress with his confidence, joking that he might land a deal with Paramount.

Exploring ‘Dead City’

The Walking Dead: Dead City serves as the first sequel in the franchise, focusing on the characters Negan, portrayed by Morgan, and Maggie (Laura Cohan), navigating a post-apocalyptic Manhattan. This season intensifies the ongoing war for control over New York, with the lead characters positioned on opposing sides.

As Morgan approaches his tenth year as Negan, he reflects on the longevity of the role, stating, “This has been part of my life for so long now… It’s interesting, especially doing this spinoff with two characters who want to kill each other 90% of the time.” He remains enthusiastic about the potential for further seasons, hinting, “We’ll see.”

A Journey Together

When Morgan joined the original series in the Season 6 finale, he believed his tenure would last four years. However, captivating storylines have continued to draw him back. “I don’t know if I’m a conductor,” he said of his role guiding new actors, “But it feels like I am one of the veterans now.”

He acknowledged the physical and mental challenges that come with the role, expressing amazement at his ability to continue performing. Morgan takes pride in his journey with the cast and crew, remarking, “We don’t want any as assholes on the show.”

Thematic Depth and Social Commentary

Dead City’s themes delve into concepts of greed, resource struggles, and the impacts of privilege—issues that resonate with contemporary social discussions. Morgan emphasized, “The show has never been about zombies… It’s always been about people.”

He recounted how Scott M. Gimple, writer and producer, informed him that original series creator Robert Kirkman intended the walkers to be slow to symbolize humans’ inability to work collectively, which remains a core theme throughout the franchise.

Lucille’s Return

An exciting aspect for long-time fans is the comeback of Negan’s signature weapon, Lucille. Morgan, thrilled by her return, said, “To have her back in my hands was more important to me… I don’t let the prop guys take her from me. She goes to my trailer with me.”

He reflected on the complex relationship Negan has with Lucille, describing it as one of “love and hate.” The weapon symbolizes a significant part of Negan’s character evolution and will play a pivotal role in Season 2.

What’s Next for ‘Dead City’

The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 2 is set to premiere on May 4, 2025, exclusively on AMC and AMC+. The series continues to be overseen by Gimple, with both Morgan and Cohan serving as executive producers alongside others.