'The Walking Dead' Season 5 Cast News, Rumors: Ross Marquand Joining Zombie Series
"The Walking Dead" is adding another regular character when the zombie drama series returns on TV this February.
Ross Marquand, who played Paul Newman in an episode of "Mad Men" Season 6, will be joining the AMC hit series for the last eight episodes of its fifth season.
After being introduced in the second half of the show's fifth season, Marquand will continue to be part of the sixth season of "The Walking Dead," which is based on Robert Kirkman's comics, the Hollywood Reporter said.
While details on what role the newcomer will play are still being kept under wraps, Kirkman earlier said a prominent gay character from his comic book series would be introduced in the second half of Season 5.
"All signs point to the character of Aaron being introduced, as the series could explore the Alexandria storyline next now that the group is reunited and back on the road looking for a new home," the Hollywood Reported said.
In August, Showrunner Scott M. Gimple first revealed that the show had plans to introduce a gay male character in an interview with TVLine.
Aaron is a resident of the Alexandria Safe Zone, the longest-running location that the comics has yet to feature.
The new character, who first crossed paths with Rick Grime's group while they were on the road to Washington, was first introduced in Issue 67 of the comics. He serves as a recruiter with his work partner and boyfriend, Eric.
Marquand's casting comes on the heels of speculation that the character of Daryl, played by Norman Reedus, is gay. Kirkman denied this, saying Daryl is straight.
Representatives from "The Walking Dead" confirmed that Alexandra Breckenridge had also landed a recurring role in the second half of Season 5 with an option to be promoted to a series regular in Season 6.
It has been reported that Breckenridge will be playing Samantha, an attractive, strong, smart, charming and articulate woman with a vulnerable side. She is also a mother with a bohemian spirit, and a talented artist, Deadline reported.
However, producers of the show usually use fake names for the characters to disguise their real identities, so it is possible that Breckenridge's heroine will debut on the show later this season with a different name.