‘The Walking Dead’ Season 7 Reveals First Official Photographs Including Much-Awaited Character Ezekiel; New Theory Suggests Negan Killed 2 People

‘The Walking Dead’ season 7 unveiled its first official photographs including one with the much-awaited character Ezekiel. A new theory suggests that Negan killed off two possible characters during season 6’s finale.

The newest photographs for the incoming season of one of television’s most brutal series have finally been released by AMC. The images posted on Comingsoon.net were released ahead of season 7’s scheduled premiere on the network on October 23 and included the first look at the newest addition to the cast.

Comic book favorite Ezekiel will be adapted on the small screen and will be portrayed by Khary Payton of ‘General Hospital’ fame. Ezekiel is the leader of a community called the Kingdom and insists on being addressed as King. He carries around a scepter and has a pet tiger he calls Shiva.

During an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Payton talked about how he managed to snag the role of Ezekiel. He said, “The process was relatively simple, honestly. It was essentially a four or five-page monologue that they gave me, so I spent a good 72 hours pretty much by myself cloistered in a cave trying to get everything down. I didn’t audition in front of producers or directors or anything. It was all on tape, so it was just myself and the casting director.”

He added, “I feel like I had a connection with this character in a weird way. I always say that when you’re in this acting business, you get a lot of rejection…. I feel like in a way Ezekiel fits that same mold where he’s in the hope business… In a zombie apocalypse one can find themselves getting down about their situation, but Ezekiel’s not one of those people. He fights with all he’s got to make sure he stays positive and stays joyful. That’s what I love about him.”

Payton admitted that he didn’t read Robert Kirkman’s original comic books but was always a fan of the television show. He said that he and his wife binge-watched episodes and have been hooked ever since. He added, “I really adore the connection that people have with the show. I’m not a big zombie apocalypse guy, but I think the acting and the writing of the show is just exceptional.”

Meanwhile, Jeffrey Dean Morgan returns to reprise his role as one of the series’ latest and biggest villains Negan. The preceding season’s finale ended on a cliffhanger, leaving audiences to contemplate who Negan killed off with his bat wrapped in barbed wire.

According to the Independent, a new theory suggested that Negan not only murdered one character but two. Although 11 characters are currently in line as his possible victims, Norman Reedus’ Daryl, Josh McDermitt’s Eugene and Lauren Cohan’s Maggie top the list. The actors in contention were spotted on the show’s Georgia set filming different endings, with producers hoping to throw audiences off.

However, it was speculated that Steven Yeun and Michael Cudlitz may be the actual victims after it was found out that the two actors were only in attendance during filming of the premiere episode. Yeun and Cudlitz play Glenn and Abraham on the show, respectively.

‘The Walking Dead’ is a critically-acclaimed television series that airs on AMC. Season 7 is set to premiere on October 23, 2016.