Walking Dead: Chandler Riggs believes there is good in Negan
By Shawn Lealos
When The Walking Dead mid-season premiere aired on Sunday night, fans had to say a tearful goodbye to Carl Grimes.
However, actor Chandler Riggs appeared on the post-show Talking Dead following that episode and had a lot to say about the death of Carl, about how important it is to know that Negan was not responsible for his death, and what Rick Grimes needs to take from the tragedy.
In the interview, Riggs was asked about Carl’s death scene, what it was like to say goodbye, his favorite episode (the pudding episode), what Rick needs to come away from his death believing, what the flash forwards means, and what the future holds for him after eight years spent on The Walking Dead.
More from AMC
- The Walking Dead Universe receives 3 Saturn Awards nominations
- Creepshow season 4, episode 4 recap: “Meet the Belaskos” and “Cheat Code”
- Fear the Walking Dead makes TVLine’s 10 Worst Shows of 2023 List
- The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Danai Gurira stuns at this year’s Academy Museum Gala
- Let’s discuss The Walking Dead: Dead City location change rumor
The most important part for fans of The Walking Dead is that Negan did not kill Carl and had nothing to do with the character’s death. According to Riggs, it is essential that his character told Rick that this had nothing to do with Negan because “there is a good part in Negan that Rick needs to find.”
That plays strongly into the ideas from the comics where Carl did not die, but Rick still found the mercy to allow Negan to live — albeit jailed for his crimes. According to previous reports, Scott Gimple said that Carl dying was important to help Rick make an important decision later this season. A good bet is what he chooses to do with Negan.
According to Riggs, the flash forwards becoming Carl’s fantasy world was something he didn’t know was going to happen when they started in the first season eight episode but shows that Carl was a “wise and intricate character.” Riggs also said that his character sees a world where Rick stops killing and can one day work with the Saviors towards a better world.
Next: Carl's death drastically changing The Walking Dead
Now, Chandler Riggs moves on from a vital cast member to merely a fan of The Walking Dead. According to the actor, he likes to speculate on what will happen, and it is cool that he can join that discussion as a fan without knowing what will happen due to acting on the series.