MARTIAL ARTIST

Lennie James on the journey of Morgan Jones...

As a man who despises taking human life, how does Morgan feel about the Saviors?

In season eight we are continuing Morgan’s journey, but the backdrop has changed dramatically. The backdrop now is war. Whether you like it or not, not just Morgan, but a lot of the characters are forced to pick a side and to pick a battle. That’s what we’re going to see with Morgan in season eight. We’re going to see his trials and tribulations in trying to stay true to his philosophy, trying to argue his corner, but also being forced to pick a side and choosing to do certain things that he may not want to do in order to protect the people that he has come to know and love.

Has the fact that he recently broke his rule against killing prepared him for what lies ahead?

The change, if we can call it that, is possibly a change in action. It’s not necessarily a change in thought. In a world in which our protagonists are at war, Morgan might have to fight his way through to the other side in order to gain any peace. All of the characters are fighting for their version of peace. It’s just that Morgan’s version may mean he might have to kill in order to not kill.

Does it surprise you that Morgan has lived as long as he has, being a voice of reason?

In virtually every situation that Morgan offers an opinion that might affect the group, it’s not one that he volunteers – it’s one that he’s being asked to voice. What he’s saying is, “I’m trying to walk this road.” Unlike Eastman, who set him on this road, he’s not doing it in a hut locked up with a goat. He’s out in the world. That has its consequences, and he’s aware of those consequences. But he’s desperately trying to make choices for himself.

How do you view Morgan’s relationship with Carol right now?

I love Morgan’s relationship with Carol. It’s a non-romantic love story. It is about two souls that have made a link between the two of them. I believe Carol and Morgan are two of the few characters in The Walking Dead who may have met regardless of the apocalypse. Their souls recognise each other. They care about each other despite themselves. In season eight, that relationship continues to grow and continues to be challenged and continues to get deeper.