The Walking Dead is arguably one of the most popular dramas on TV at the moment. The horror/drama series tells the story of deputy sheriff Rick Grimes who wakes up from a coma to find that the world has been taken over by zombies (or walkers as they are known in the show). Since it first aired in 2010 the show has received critical acclaim and has even been nominated for a Golden Globe.
But just how similar are the actors to the characters they play in the show?…
Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln)
Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln)
Played by Brit actor Andrew Lincoln, Rick Grimes is the primary protagonist of the show and after finding the world overrun with zombies he sets out to find and protect his wife and son as well as becoming a de-facto leader of a group of survivors trying to cope in this new world. But just how similar is Andrew Lincoln to the character Grimes?
The first thing to note is the fact that Lincoln is not American (Grimes is supposed to be from Georgia) and some critics complained that he overplayed the southern accent, although as the series developed the critics have been far more receptive to his portrayal. Prior to starting the series Lincoln even travelled to Atlanta to work with a dialect coach and to perfect his performance of an American. Lincoln has also stated that he referenced High Noon and Gary Cooper’s performance in the film as he felt it represented Grimes’ divided loyalties between his marriage and responsibilities to the other survivors. Like Grimes, Lincoln is married with children having wed Gael Anderson in 2006.
Shane Walsh (Jon Bernthal)
Shane Walsh (Jon Bernthal)
Shane Walsh, played by American actor Jon Bernthal, is Rick Grimes’ best friend and fellow deputy sheriff. After the zombie apocalypse occurs Walsh rescues Grimes’ family and leads them to safety, eventually starting an affair with Rick’s wife Lori before Rick is found to be alive.
But, just how similar is Jon Bernthal to his character? Well like Walsh, Bernthal is American, although he was born in Washington DC rather than Georgia. However, that’s probably where the similarities end as Shane Walsh grows darker as the series progresses in order to cope with the reality of the post-apocalyptic world.
Lori Grimes (Sarah Wayne Callies)
Lori Grimes (Sarah Wayne Callies)
Played by Sarah Wayne Callies, Lori Grimes is the wife of Rick Grimes and ex-lover of Shane Walsh. Believing her husband to be dead, Lori leaves with Walsh when she and son Carl are evacuated out of the city and begins an affair with him. However, when Rick returns she ends the affair and returns to her husband.
Sarah Wayne Callies was cast in the role in 2010 after she went to a comic store to find the latest issue of the Walking Dead only to be told they were doing a TV show. Like Lori, Callies is also married, her husband is Josh Winterhalt, as well as being a mother. Callies was born in Illinois before moving to Hawaii where her parents were professors at the University of Hawaii, Manoa.
This article was contributed by Holly Powell on behalf of Gimmitech who offer buy now pay later on a wide range of products.
