The Walking Dead ’s Lennie James (aka Morgan) talks to heat about the new series
Fox, Monday 23 October, 9pm
Gird your loins, people, because the biggest show on TV is back – and it is NOT messing around. As season eight begins, it’s all kicking off in Alexandria, as Rick, Daryl, Michonne and co wage full-on war with nasty Negan and his band of Saviors (in-between dodging the chomping gnashers of those pesky walkers, obvs). If you’ve watched the trailer, you’ll know that the show is coming out all guns a blazin’ – and crossbows a firing and baseball bats a pounding – and we couldn’t be more excited. ★★★★★ Lisa Howells
So, what can you tell us about what’s coming up?
Almost nothing, except that we are at war. When we join season eight, there’s no preamble – people have got their orders, teams have been set up, targets have been pointed out and people are on their missions and getting it done. We are right in it and we stay right in it for three or four episodes before we take a break, and let you know how we got to where we are.
How happy are you with this season?
Very. The writers have tackled this huge event from the graphic novels in an almost movie-like way, and it’s an exciting roller-coaster season. The audience is left genuinely unsure about who’s going to survive, what friendships are going to be destroyed, what bonds are going to be made and – ultimately – who’s going to win or lose.
Morgan’s relationship with Rick is key – how are things between them?
For large chunks of this season, Morgan isn’t fighting side-by-side with Rick. They’re on the same side, but Rick entrusts Morgan to be a loyal deputy and sends him in a particular direction on a particular mission. But what I will say is the relationship between them is never done until it’s done…
What about Morgan’s relationship with Carol – will they ever get it on?
Daryl would probably have something to say about that! But for me, one of the things I love about their relationship is that it’s not necessarily about them getting it on. What we are witnessing is a long friendship that’s been formed in an intense environment. These two people are into each other in a way that goes far beyond a physical thing. Neither understands why or how, but they know each other’s recognition and approval is so important. What Carol and Morgan have got will stand the test of time, and it’s much braver storytelling than the usual. It’s something I cherish – a TV storyline between a man and a woman that’s about friendship and not sex.
The season opener is your 100th episode. How does that feel?
Incredible. It’s a testament to the way we’ve been telling this story, to Robert Kirkman’s source material, to the way [showrunner] Scott Gimple has guided the programme, and to our cast and our crew. In fact, if you ask who’s been on most of those 100 episodes, it’s not going to be cast, it’s going to be the crew.
Do you think we’ve got another 100 episodes to go?
Ha, I’m not sure my or Andy’s [Lincoln] knees will stand up to that! But we’ll see. Just how incredible would that be, to last that long? Hey, anything is possible.