Celebrating a decade of portraying one of TV’s most iconic antiheroes, Jeffrey Dean Morgan recently marked a major career milestone at the Canneseries premiere of The Walking Dead: Dead City. With his wife, Hilarie Burton, and their two children by his side, Morgan described the experience as deeply personal and unforgettable.
Leaving his handprints on the Cannes Walk of Fame, the actor called it an “incredible honor,” made all the more meaningful by sharing it with his loved ones. “Having my family there elevated the entire experience,” Jeffrey Dean Morgan said. “It was my wife’s first time in Cannes, and my daughter had never walked a red carpet before she owned it. Both kids did, honestly. I joked that my son Gus was ready to sign a multi-film deal after day one.”
‘Dead City’ Expands The Walking Dead Universe
As the fifth installment in the growing Walking Dead universe, Dead City takes a fresh approach, sending longtime adversaries Negan and Maggie (played by Lauren Cohan) into a chaotic, post-apocalyptic Manhattan. The island has been cut off from the mainland, and now it’s the battleground for a high-stakes conflict over control of New York City.
In this bold spinoff, Jeffrey Dean Morgan returns as Negan, a character he’s transformed from a brutal villain into a deeply complex figure. The twist? He’s now battling someone who would gladly see him dead.
“Ten Years and Counting”—Morgan on Negan’s Evolution
Jeffrey Dean Morgan didn’t hold back when asked about reaching the 10-year mark playing Negan: “It’s wild. I never thought I’d be doing this for a decade. I figured I’d play Negan for four years tops. But every time I was ready to move on, the writers found a new layer to explore, a different side of him to reveal.”
Morgan joined the original The Walking Dead series during its intense Season 6 finale. At the time, he stepped into a moving story with no plans of steering it. Now, he’s at the helm of his spinoff, guiding the narrative and welcoming fresh faces like Dascha Polanco and Gaius Charles into the fold.
Lucille’s Legacy and What’s Next
A key symbol of Negan’s past—the barbed-wire-wrapped baseball bat named Lucille—makes a powerful return in Dead City. For Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Lucille represents more than just a weapon; it’s a reminder of how far Negan has come and the weight he still carries.
Playing a character as layered as Negan has been both rewarding and challenging. “At this point, I don’t see an end unless my body just gives out,” Jeffrey Dean Morgan joked. “I’m dangerously close to that ‘I’m too old for this’ moment. But doing a spinoff where two characters spend most of their time wanting to kill each other? It’s somehow working. And now we’re gearing up for season two.”
A Veteran Leading a New Era
Today, Jeffrey Dean Morgan isn’t just playing a character—he’s leading an entire chapter of the franchise. From his early days stepping into a well-oiled machine to becoming the driver of new story arcs, Morgan’s journey mirrors that of a seasoned veteran who’s earned his stripes.
“I started as a passenger,” Jeffrey Dean Morgan said. “Now, I’m bringing others on board. That shift has been surreal.”
With The Walking Dead: Dead City gaining momentum and the possibility of more seasons ahead, fans of Jeffrey Dean Morgan can look forward to even more of Negan’s complex saga—and perhaps a few more surprises from Lucille.