Summary
- Jeffrey Dean Morgan found filming The Walking Dead S7E1 particularly exhausting due to the brutal scene of Carl's arm getting bitten.
- Despite challenging moments, Morgan appreciated his time on the show and continues portraying Negan in Dead City.
- Negan's actions in Season 7 still affect fans today, making his role on the spinoff more intriguing, with hopes of a return in Season 3.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan played his powerful villain Negan Smith on six seasons of The Walking Dead, but one scene was so violent that it was tough for him to film.
Although Morgan has said he might be almost finished playing Negan, fans have enjoyed watching him on the riveting spinoff The Walking Dead: Dead City. Hopefully the show will be renewed for a third season and the talented actor will continue to play the compelling character for at least a little while longer. Morgan's TV roster has always included gripping characters, from the mysterious John Winchester on Supernatural to the kind-hearted Denny Duquette on Grey's Anatomy. He's no stranger to horror movies, either, having starred in The Possession and the slasher Bloody Axe Wound, which didn't get much attention when it came out in December 2024. Since Negan is such a huge part of his career, Morgan often reflects on his time holding Lucille the bat and wrecking havoc, and the actor once shared a fascinating story about filming one episode.
'When Negan Is At His Most Negan' Jeffrey Dean Morgan Shares New Tattoo Inspired By His Walking Dead Character's Iconic Prop
Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who played Negan Smith on The Walking Dead from 2016 to 2022, is sharing that he got a tattoo in honor of his memorable villain.
Jeffrey Dean Morgan Revealed That Filming The Walking Dead Season 7 Premiere Was Tough
Jeffrey Dean Morgan shared with Interview Magazine in 2016 that filming The Walking Dead season 7, episode 1, "The Day Will Come When You Won't Be," was exhausting. He said:
"I think maybe it was the Carl’s arm bit to be honest with you. Look, that whole episode was hard, and also because I did go through and smack everybody with Lucille at a certain point. Everybody took a hit. All of that was hard. It got to the point where I didn’t want to do it anymore. … Emotionally I was completely drained."
Morgan continued that the cast filmed for 10 days and it was "heavy." He added:
"It was a hard episode, and having to get there time and time again to do these horrible things… They’re all good people, and I love them—the whole cast..."
Morgan was referring to the scene in The Walking Dead season 7 premiere when Negan tells Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) to cut Carl Grimes's (Chandler Riggs) arm off. Fans consider this an upsetting episode in general since it's so violent, and it's hard to forget this particular scene. As Morgan explained, Negan hurts so many beloved, likable, and kind characters, and it wasn't easy for the actor. It's no wonder that filming the first episode of this particularly sad season took such an emotional toll.
While Morgan has shared how much he appreciates his time on The Walking Dead and, of course, he's still portraying the character now, Morgan has been honest about the rough moments, too. The actor wasn't even sure that he would agree to the spinoff, but he liked the premise so much that he said yes.
Negan's actions in The Walking Dead season 7 still have ripple effects to this day. While Carl survives, there is more violence to come. His decision to kill beloved character Glenn Rhee (Steven Yeun) is on everyone's minds now that Negan and Glenn's wife Maggie Greene (Lauren Cohan) are on a unique journey together on Dead City. Considering this dramatic and devastating backstory, many fans wonder if Glenn could ever return. Even if that never happens, this history makes Negan's presence on the spinoff even more interesting since fans know he's such a complex and flawed character.
Besides hopefully playing Negan again in Dead City season 3, Morgan will play Joe Kessler/Billy Butcher again in The Boys season 5, which will wrap up the show. He also appeared alongside Jack Quaid in the crime thriller Neighborhood Watch, which was released on April 25th, 2025.
- Release Date
- 2010 - 2022
- Network
- AMC
- Showrunner
- Frank Darabont, Angela Kang, Scott M. Gimple, Glen Mazzara
Cast
-
Norman ReedusDaryl Dixon -
Melissa McBrideCarol Peletier
WHERE TO WATCH
- Directors
- David Boyd, Ernest R. Dickerson, Billy Gierhart, Guy Ferland, Laura Belsey, Jeffrey F. January, Michael Cudlitz, Sharat Raju, Alrick Riley, Michael Slovis, Michelle MacLaren, Rosemary Rodriguez, Seith Mann, Tricia Brock, Daisy von Scherler Mayer, Daniel Sackheim, Fred Toye, Gwyneth Horder-Payton, Jon Amiel, Kari Skogland, Kevin Dowling, Tawnia McKiernan, Larry Teng, Julius Ramsay
- Franchise(s)
- The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead Fans Should Check Out Jeffrey Dean Morgan's 2022 Survival Thriller (& It Has A Scream Star, Too)
Jeffrey Dean Morgan, known for Saviors leader and villain Negan Smith on The Walking Dead, has had a great career, including this solid film.
Source: Interviewmagazine.com