‘Taken 3’ Xander Berkeley To Join ‘The Walking Dead’ Season 6

Tags: Xander Berkerley; Taken 3; Terminator; The Mentalist

BY Nikita Aggarwal Sep 17, 2015 11:08 PM EDT

"Taken 3" star Xander Berkeley has joined "The Walking Dead" for season 6. According to Variety.com, AMC has kept "24" star Xander's character under a wrap. Reports said that "Mentalist" star Xander would be portraying a "deeply focused self-preservative" man with a huge ego.

Fans are speculating that Xander could be playing a character based on "Negan," a major antagonist from the "Dead" comic series. The Wrap reported that "Negan" had been the leader of the "Saviors," who extorted supplies and food from Rick's group.

The Screen Crush reported that the "Salem" star Xander Berkeley could be essaying the role of Gregory, the Hilltop leader. They reportedly described his character as a "Narcissistic, egotistical, quick to braggadocio and anger, his own skin is his principal concern."

Reporters added that "Taken 3" Xander Berkeley's character would "feed off the superiority of being in control, but he (Xander Berkeley would) play it off with Senator-like charm. He's vibrant, and has the charisma of a car salesman."

"Taken 3" Xander Berkeley's character's name had not been disclosed. The character had been listed as "Rich" on the casting call list, The Screen Crush reported.

Reporters added that "24" star Xander Berkeley may not be the "Negan" from Robert Kirkman's comic book series that the fans wanted to see. They reportedly said that his character could be extended to a regular in "The Walking Dead: Season 7."

Apart from "Terminator 2: Judgment Day" star Xander Berkeley, "Straight Outta Compton" actor Corey Hawkins had been roped in to play the role of "Alexandria Runner Heath." Actors Merrit Wever and Ethan Embry had also been auditioned for a role in "The Walking Dead: Season 6," The Screen Crush reported.

Reporters said that AMC had released a series of clips and photographs from "The Walking Dead: Season 6" to give the fans a glimpse of how disgusting the walkers would look. The season would also host a "Half-hour special set on an airplane." The installment would bring around a character that would go on to a protagonist in "Fear The Walking Dead: Season 2."

According to IGN, "Taken 3" Xander Berkeley's character would make its debut after the midseason break. "The walking Dead: Season 6" would return to AMC on October 11 at 9/8c.