What To Expect From The Walking Dead’s Three New Regular Cast Members

The Walking Dead‘s off-season is coming to an end for its cast members, with production set to begin next week, although fans will have to wait another six months to see what they have in store.

Closing out Season 7, the war began in Alexandria as all of Negan’s army marched on the Safe-Zone with their junkyard gang allies ready to betray Rick’s group.

Heading into the new batch of episodes which will arrive on Sunday nights in October, three cast members have officially gotten a promotion with the AMC series. Pollyanna McIntosh, Steven Ogg, and Katelyn Nacon have been dubbed series regulars for the new episodes.

One thing each of these actors has in common despite belonging to different factions on the show: their characters don’t exist in the comics.

So, what can expect from this trio of promotions in The Walking Dead Season 8?

Pollyanna McIntosh – Jadis

McIntosh’s Jadis has quickly climbed the rankings among most despised characters on The Walking Dead.

Being introduced early in Season 7’s second half, it appeared Rick had found his army with Jadis. After surrendering a massive supply of guns and ammunition to Jadis and her gang, Rick was ready to fight Negan with the Garbage Pail Kids at his side. Instead, the Scavengers betrayed Rick in favor of Negan’s Saviors and a battle ensued.

In Season 8, the Scavengers will likely serve as some of the most common deaths of All Out War storyline. The Battle of Alexandria in the Season 7 finale didn’t see any characters fans are invested in being killed off besides Sasha (who, technically, died before the battle began). The bodies scattered in Alexandria were nameless extras. Bodies will inevitably drop during the war and several of them will be heartbreaking for fans but the majority will likely be extras acting as bullet shields for the more important characters. 

At this point, fans won’t be mad seeing the Scavengers falling one by one in battle.

Steven Ogg – Simon

Steven Ogg’s Simon being upgrade to a series regular is an interesting move.

First of all, it doesn’t sound promising for his role on HBO’s Westworld, but that’s a story for another time.

Serving as Negan’s right hand man, Simon is a menace who frequently pays visits to Alexandria and the Hilltop to collect supplies or people. With a war ahead, Simon’s loyal devotion to the Saviors will see him acting as a lieutenant in the war against Rick. With Dwight having betrayed the Saviors and Fat Joey now dead, it’s going to fall on characters like Arat and Simon to pick up their slack.

If anyone can be a crazy supporter of Negan and his diabolical ways during times of war, it’s the man who played Trevor Phillips in GTA V.

Katelyn Nacon – Enid

At this point, it seems like we might just be renaming Enid by calling her “Sophia.”

In The Walking Dead comics, Enid never existed but Sophia outlived Carol and became a good friend to Carl. She is quite a tough character, one who is quick to act and defend those she cares about, both of which are traits reflected in Katelyn Nacon’s Enid. Furthermore, she elects to block the memory of her mother from her mind in favor of emotionless survival.

In Season 8, Enid will likely continue to develop her relationship with Maggie as the last remaining member of the Rhee/Greene family begins to take on a mother-figure type of role. 

During the war, however, Sophia’s role is minimal. This is where the major differences will likely come into play. Enid will likely continue to serve as a reliable tool for Maggie whether she likes accepting the help of a young adult or not!