Another big development in the pre-production process for the second spinoff inThe Walking Deadextended universe: the forthcoming series has found one of its leads and confirmed who will direct the pilot episode. The still-untitled spinoff joinsFear the Walking Deadas offshoots to the primaryWalking Deadarc. WhereFear the Walking Deadadded some crucial backstory, this next spinoff is looking to the future.
According toDeadline,YoungerstarNico Tortorellahas been cast as one of the series leads. They’ll (Tortorella identifies as non-binary and uses they/them pronouns) play Felix, described by Deadline as “an honorable man of his word who isn’t afraid to fight for others’ safety and acceptance.” Tortorella joins actors Annet Mahendru (Huck), Aliyah Royale (Iris), Alexa Mansour (Hope), Nicolas Cantu (Elton), and Hal Cumpston (Silas) for the cast. We’ve also learned thatKong: Skull IslanddirectorJordan Vogt-Robertshas signed on to direct the pilot episode. The wording of Deadline’s report implies Vogt-Roberts may direct more than one episode but we’ll have to wait and see.
Tortorella currently stars as Josh on TV Land’s hit seriesYounger, which also starsSutton FosterandHilary Duff. Tortorella’s casting in thisWalking Deadspinoff will not affect their commitments toYounger. This new role marks a rare occasion in Tortorella’s career which sees them tackling roles in more genre-specific films. Previous notable examples of this include roles inScream 4in 2011 andOdd Thomasin 2013. As for Vogt-Roberts, this will be the second TV series he’s directed on. Previous TV directing stints include the pilot and multiple episodes of FX’sYou’re the Worst.
The forthcomingWalking Deadseries' synopsis will “focus on the first generation to come of age in the apocalypse as we know it. Some will become heroes. Some will become villains. In the end, all of them will be changed forever.” Despite the synopsis clue of a big time jump into the future, exact story details have yet to be released. Production on the spinoff has already begun in Richmond, Virginia.
