The Walking Dead: Tom Payne Reveals Why The Hilltop Follows Gregory, For Now

03/26/2017 07:18 pm EDT

It seems like a no-brainer that the Hilltop should overthrow Gregory on The Walking Dead. Maggie is a smarter, better equipped character for the job and everyone knows it.

However, there are valid reasons why the people of the Hilltop have elected to continue following Gregory, despite his constant cowardice. Paul "Jesus" Rovia actor Tom Payne explained as much in an exclusive interview with ComicBook.com at an event for his upcoming Mindgamers movie.

"[Jesus] is supporting Gregory as the leader but at the same time recognizes there are weaknesses there and where they are now in the storyline, Gregory has actually become quite dangerous," Payne said. "He's ready to move his allegiance over to Maggie."

However, for the time being, allowing Gregory to hold the reigns is a necessary sacrifice for the people of the Hilltop. It's something Jesus is willing to put up with despite the unnecessary threats from Gregory in last week's hour. "Where they are now, Gregory is a placeholder really," Payne said. "He still needs to be there when the Saviors come back. The Saviors think Maggie's dead. If anything happens to Gregory, it's makes things a lot harder. As it stands, he's more useful in the position that he's in but at the same time, he's very dangerous in the position that he's in."

Payne's character tends to be more level-headed than most, though he seems to constantly realize what the appropriate next steps are. "Jesus likes to hang back a little bit but also he won't stop people from doing what they're going to do," Payne said, referencing Jesus allowing Sasha to go after Negan on a suicide mission. "He is someone who gives you the information and then you make your own choice. He didn't tell Rick's group to go and kill all the Saviors at that outpost. They decided to do that on their own. He doesn't push anyone in any direction and he doesn't pull anyone in any direction."

"He's the support for the leader," Payne concluded.

MORE WALKING DEAD: What Sasha Photos Mean For Next Episodes / Who Did Rosita See? / Tom Payne On Jesus' Sexuality Reveal / Austin Amelio Teases Rosita/Dwight Reunion / Andrew Lincoln's Amazing Series Ending Idea / Who Dies In Something They Need?

The Walking Dead TV series airs Sundays at 9 pm ET on AMC. For complete coverage and insider info all season long, follow @BrandonDavisBD on Twitter.

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