“The Walking Dead” season 9 is becoming even more highly anticipated after Andrew Lincoln announced that he will be leaving the cast as Rick Grimes after the upcoming season.
Speculation about how Lincoln's Grimes will go out in a blaze of glory have been common during the leadup to season 9's premiere episode. But fans should remember that up until the season truly hits the airwaves, “The Walking Dead” season 9 has some pretty interesting villains outside of the potential in-fighting subplot teased by the San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) trailer.
English actress Samantha Morton of “Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them” fame has already been confirmed for the role of The Whisperers leader, Alpha. The Whisperers are a band of survivors who use roamer skin to disguise themselves against walkers. They are a cultish group that becomes major antagonists for the survivors of Sanctuary during the Whisperer War arc.
As if the group's modus operandi for survival is not creepy enough, The Whisperers get a veteran of viciousness with the confirmation that “Sons of Anarchy' star Ryan Hurst will be playing Alpha's right-hand man, Beta, in “The Walking Dead” season 9. Hurst celebrated his recent casting as Beta with a tweet that teased his upcoming role.
Jeffrey, I think this is the beginning... pic.twitter.com/I8ANPiKrgw
— RYAN HURST (@RamboDonkeyKong) August 28, 2018
Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who played the villainous Negan in “The Walking Dead's” previous season, replied to Hurst's post with excitement. Hurst proceeded to reply to “The Walking Dead” veteran with a hilarious photo which potentially teases Beta and Negan working in some way together for season 9.
Fans will definitely enjoy the additional creep factor that Morton and Hurst's Whisperers will be bringing to the season considering the semi-stable society that Grimes and his crew have been able to create in the Sanctuary after the conflict with Negan.
Fans looking forward to “The Walking Dead” season 9 can tune in on Oct. 7. for the airing of the show's premiere episode.


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