The Walking Dead is doing an impressive job of keeping secrets from production of its seventh season. Despite a cliffhanger which is driving fans mad, the series has moved onto production of the third episode of the next season, meaning the conclusion to Negan’s entrance has been filmed, but still no word on who his victim was.
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That said, some aspects of production will inevitably slip through the cracks and one recent casting call seems to reveal a major new addition to cast and characters. The call, under the name “Augustus,” sounds a lot like The Walking Dead is casting for its extravagant Kingdom leader, Ezekiel.
See the full casting call, discovered by Spoil the Dead, below.
THE WALKING DEAD, Episode #703
Episodic
AMC
ONE HOUR
SAGExecutive Producers: Scott M. Gimple, Gale Anne Hurd, Dave Alpert, Robert Kirkman, Greg Nicotero, Tom Luse
From the graphic novel by: Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard
Casting Directors: Sharon Bialy, Sherry Thomas, Gohar Gazazyan
Location: Atlanta Area
Outside Dates: o/a 5/25/16 – late NovemberPLEASE SUBMIT ALL ETHNICITIES UNLESS OTHERWISE SPECIFIED
[AUGUSTUS]African American, 40s. An eccentric, charismatic, and kind leader. He projects a regal air of confidence and wisdom to his people, and he enjoys the respect they give him because of it. To an outsider, his deliberate dress and mannerisms might seem theatrical, and to a degree, they are…RECURRING GUEST STAR SEASON 7 (TOP OF SHOW), MULTIPLE YEAR SERIES OPTION (7/16)
An eccentric, charismatic, kind African American leader in his 40’s pretty much solidifies the casting call as Ezekiel but the further details hone in the former zookeeper even further. “To an outsider, his deliberate dress and mannerisms might seems theatrical, and to a degree, they are,” the casting call says. Ezekiel certainly is a theatrical leader, separating himself from his people by acting as a king and keeping a pet tiger around.
see also: Five Actors Who Could Play Ezekiel On The Walking Dead
Morgan and Carol are more than likely in transit to the Kingdom following the season six finale. When they arrive there in terms of the episodic story telling is anybody’s guess at this point. Arriving at The Kingdom certainly means meeting Ezekiel though, unless the series chooses to split from the comics’ story in those moments.
The Walking Dead returns for its seventh season in October.