A photo leak from the set of The Walking Dead season 11 has revealed a major spoiler for the upcoming episodes as Michael James Shaw joins the cast.
This summer, the final season of The Walking Dead is set to premiere, bringing the post-apocalyptic TV series to a close after over a decade.
While several familiar faces will be cropping up, some newcomers will also be brought into the fold, including Limitless star Michael.
The 34-year-old is playing Mercer, a fan-favourite character from the comic books who first appeared in Issue 177, which was published in March 2018.
Other than his past in the US Marine Corps, another distinct aspect of Mercer’s persona is the fact that he wears a bold red armoured ensemble, which has been faithfully represented for the live-action adaptation.
In a new picture leaked from set, Michael can be seen smiling while wearing the armour, which is covering his ankles up to his neck.
He appears to be fiddling with his gloves while looking at something in the distance, a grin visible on his face as he casually strolls in a pair of black trainers.
While little is known about Mercer’s life prior to the outbreak in The Walking Dead, he becomes an officer of the Commonwealth and is looked up to as a leader of the Commonwealth Military.
This will have major implications for season 11, as the group of survivors known as The Commonwealth are brought to life in the TV series from the comics.
Several fans of The Walking Dead expressed their excitement over Mercer’s appearance in the show as a Commonwealth leader and the fantastic recreation of his armour.
‘Omg, this casting was insanely good,’ one person tweeted, in response to a picture of Michael alongside an illustration of Mercer in the comics.
‘He looks so bada** in the suit of armor, and just….it’s so comic accurate that it’s insane!’ someone else said.
‘OMG,’ another fan wrote alongside two screaming emojis. ‘I was waiting for him since a long time! Best character of the Commonwealth’s arc!!!’
‘They really never miss with the casting,’ another remarked.
While The Walking Dead is coming to end with season 11, it won’t mark the conclusion of The Walking Dead universe.
The seventh season of spin-off Fear The Walking Dead is set to launch later this year, while The Walking Dead: World Beyond premiered in October 2020.
A Daryl and Carol spin-off starring The Walking Dead stars Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride is in the works, while an anthology series titled Tales of the Walking Dead is in development.
A Rick Grimes film, starring former The Walking Dead lead Andrew Lincoln, is also being made.
The Walking Dead season 11 is set to premiere on August 22 in the US on AMC.
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