Morgan’s search for Carol has led him to The Kingdom in The Walking Dead Season 7. There he’ll encounter a community that drastically differs from Alexandria, one where he might actually fit in.
Lennie James, who plays Morgan on The Walking Dead , recently spoke to Entertainment Weekly about his character’s first impressions of Ezekiel’s community. Unlike Alexandria, The Kingdom is a lot more peaceful. There isn’t as much turmoil in The Kingdom and Ezekiel isn’t one to start a war. In fact, Ezekiel’s beliefs are very much in line with Morgan’s “We need people to survive” mantra.
“Well, you know one of the things about Morgan that you need to remember about the fella is that he spent a long time out in the world on his own,” James told EW . “So when he arrived at Alexandria, it was beyond his wildest beliefs. It was the idea that this place existed, and that something like this place could exist in this world in the way that it was, was beyond his imagination and it grew up a lot of complicated issues within himself. Could he live amongst a group? Could he care about other people in the way that he’s only had to care and take care of himself?”
James continued, “And I think the Kingdom, although it’s very different to Alexandria — very, very different to Alexandria, a lot bigger than Alexandria, it’s possibly the biggest world we will have come across so far — is equally as alien to Morgan as Alexandria was. Not least because it’s led by — for want of a better phrase, although I’m in no way keen to use it — a very kind of theatrical leader. So Morgan coming into this world, he’s a bit Zen about it. I think he’s kind of whatever you need to survive. And these people have quite obviously survived and if the way that they’ve done it is to have a king, then that’s fine by Morgan.”
Here’s a little backstory about Ezekiel. Before the apocalypse, Ezekiel worked as a zookeeper where he tended to the animals. Once the zombie outbreak spread, Ezekiel’s first concern was the animals he carede for, so he went back to the zoo. When he got there, he tried to set Shiva the Tiger free before the zombies ate her alive. Shiva attacked him, but he refused to give up on her. Ezekiel protected Shiva desperate her violent behavior. Shiva took notice and instantly bonded with Ezekiel. She’s been at his side ever since the apocalypse began.
As loyal as Ezekiel is to Shiva, he’s even more loyal to his people. He’s more concerned in giving them a peaceful life in the Kingdom than he is in being a “king.” He’s wise, calm and calculating. He won’t show his cards right away and it takes a lot of Ezekiel to trust someone. In fact, it’s not Rick in the comics who earns Ezekiel’s respect first, it’s Jesus. We’ll see if Morgan takes on Jesus’ role in bringing Alexandria and The Kingdom together.
What are you looking forward to in The Walking Dead Season 7? Let us know in the comments below. The Walking Dead Season 7 premieres Oct. 23 on AMC.
