But just who is this Gareth?
And who is the man who plays him?
We caught up with actor Andrew J.
Gene Page/AMC
(Click though both pages to read the entire interview.)
ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY: So lets talk about the bigWalking Deadprogram.
Its sort of a whirlwind, really.
The whole casting process is interesting because I went in and I read with Sharon Bialy and Sherry Thomas.
So when I found out I got the job, I didnt even know what character I was playing.
I didnt even know my characters name, in fact.
That was one of the coolest things about the show.
So immediately you just feel like youre with a bunch of creative friends.
And youre getting together and trying to make something really good.
It was kind of all that I hoped it would be, really.
It was a special experience.
Yeah, a little bit.
Youre so familiar with those faces and that world that yeah, its a strange feeling.
I dont know how to describe it exactly.
And then it feels like youre making your own little film with friends or something like that.
But yeah, its weird it was definitely weird at first.
Ive been onThe Walking Deadset a fair amount, and I love watching Andrews process.
He kind of freaks out a little bit before takes.
He might start just moaning or hitting things violently or whatever.
I did, absolutely.
I love the lack of self-consciousness that he has.
And thats kind of what you need.
You know, whatever helps you get there.
And he has got to do a lot of heavy lifting on that show, obviously.
And it helps you get fired up about the scenes that youre about to go into, too.
But I love that.
I love that stuff.
And it challenges you to really jump in the scene and have that tension with him.
What did showrunner Scott Gimple tell you before you were filming that finale last season?
What did he tell you about Terminus?
Really the bare minimum.
He kind of only gave me the information that I needed to get to play the scenes.
And honestly, it wasnt much about Terminus or what these people are doing here.
And also we talked a lot about the complex nature of the character, too.
Which I think will come out very soon.
When the new season starts, we really start to meet this person who is very complicated and multidimensional.
Its going to be fun.
Its definitely going to be fun to watch.
Or is he a practical guy in bad circumstances of this zombie apocalypse?
What is he to you?
I think hes definitely a practical guy.
And I think hes a guy who is concerned with surviving.
Hes very much concerned with figuring out a way to live in the new world.
Whats interesting about the character, too, is that Gareth isnt really the Governor.
Really hes more like Rick or even Glenn in a lot of ways.
Society is different now.
The world is different now.
And the old rules just need to be reexamined.
And hes willing to do that.
And I think thats where the leader qualities come in.
And hes hes sort of a strong-willed guy, too.
So, to answer your question, I dont think of him as a bad guy.
And really, when youre playing a character, you cant really think of them as a bad guy.
And Im not talking about as an actor, Im talking about as the character.
The character has something that they need to accomplish.
And thats what I love about Gareth.
Hes got things that hes after.
Hes got things that hes trying to accomplish and things that hes trying to do.
Thats the main thing.
How does Gareth see Rick?
How does that character view this guy?
I think he probably sees Rick in a lot of ways as a kindred spirit.
Obviously, right off the bat he identifies him as the ringleader.
Its kind of the nickname that he gives Rick in the finale.
And that he is a really strong-willed guy.
And I believe that Gareth respects that kind of person.
So yeah, I think thats generally how Gareth views Rick when he meets him in the finale.
Even after the brief encounters that they have.
Were you reading that stuff?
Yeah, I was.
Because I didnt know.
Even when we finished up the season, I didnt know where it was going.
I was looking at all of that stuff.
And a lot of the theories are so fascinating.
And exciting frankly, too.
And Im still not privy to a lot of the material that doesnt directly involve my character.
So no, I do look at that, and Im endlessly fascinated by it.
Have you had any fan encounters yet?
There definitely are a lot of diehard fans in Atlanta.
They camp out at the side of the street.
Theyve got their signs that theyre holding up as youre driving off of set or onto set.
I mean, personally, I havent had real personal encounters with a lot of the fans.
And its definitely a testament to the writing.
Just dont hurt Daryl Dixon.
You gotta call Scott Gimple and tell him that.
Tell him to keep that guy safe.
That would be a rough day.
I wouldnt want to be on the end of that.
For more Walking Dead intel, follow Dalton on Twitter@DaltonRoss.
