Lennie James on Morgan being ignored by walkers: “Like a superpower” (Interview)

Lennie James spoke to The Natural Aristocrat about walkers ignoring Morgan Jones in Fear the Walking Dead’s Season 6 Premiere being ‘like a superpower’ & Morgan’s ‘belief that he can’t die is being tested.’

The following question was asked by The Natural Aristocrat to Lennie James during a virtual Zoom roundtable with the Fear the Walking Dead Season 6 cast.

Interview with Lennie James:

The Natural Aristocrat [Nir Regev]: Hi Lennie, amazing work on the premiere. It’s the first time in The Walking Dead universe where walkers avoided someone who hadn’t covered themselves in guts & blood.

Morgan Jones also takes a bit of a Carol turn… Where he doesn’t want anyone to save him. He seemingly wants to perish. What are your thoughts on the role reversal in both cases?

Lennie James: Well, it’s a weird thing to say… But I enjoyed it really. I’m constantly surprised that we’re coming up with new ideas for walkers.

I’m constantly surprised we’re coming up with new characters that fit into our story. And I’m constantly surprised of the challenges that Morgan presents me.

I think the fact that he could walk amongst the walkers, as it were, I took it as like it was a superpower. I told myself, “Well, this is you!” And, I just relished it. I feel with his journey to the end, I’m always looking for, ‘What is the truth of this, of this guy, and his journey?’

Lennie James as Morgan Jones in Fear the Walking Dead. As portrayed in Season 6, Episode 1. Photo Credit: Ryan Green / AMC

And his truth at that particular moment in time is he believes he’s lost everything. That his belief that he can’t die is being tested right now. But Morgan does believe that he has a purpose.

There’s a reason why he’s in this limbo, this place between life and death. He’s there to make something safe for Grace. That’s all there is left for him… Because he can feel himself dying.

That’s how I saw it, and that’s how I kind of tackled him (Morgan).

Thanks Lennie!

Thank you!

Lennie James promises to cook for everyone when pandemic ends

Lennie James mentioned cooking being his “solace” and a comfort off the set of Fear the Walking Dead:

Lennie James: Cooking, that’s my solace and it’s where I kind of find peace. The science of the kitchen. I enjoy that.

Jenna Elfman: Are you going to come cook for me?

Lennie James: I’ll come cook for you. I’ll cook for all of you at some point. When this pandemic is over, Lennie cooks for everyone!

Food Network crossover?

It would be great to see Lennie James as a judge or contestant on Food Network’s Chopped or Beat Bobby Flay. Make the crossover event happen AMC! Just think of the ratings when The Walking Dead universe and the chefs of the Food Network collide.

Born in Nottingham, Lennie James currently lives in Los Angeles… While Chopped films over at Food Network Studios in Chelsea Market, New York. Surely, Lennie will make the trip over for some competitive cuisine? There must be some time in-between seasons of Fear the Walking Dead… Hint, hint!

Lennie James as Morgan Jones and Demetrius Grosse as Emile on Fear the Walking Dead. As portrayed on Season 6, Episode 1. Photo Credit: Ryan Green / AMC

Nevertheless, it looks like FTWD cast members will have something to look forward to once the zombie apocalypse ends. Fans included too, Lennie? He did say everyone! A good question & request for a future New York Comic Con…

Morgan Jones’ Season 6 beard on FTWD

Lennie James told The Natural Aristocrat® that Morgan Jones’ beard in Season 6 was “the bane of his life” during our interview. Be sure to read the full details in the link above! Although James praised the makeup and special effects team for the work on the imposing beard… He was also quite happy to wish it “Happy Trails” as well if you get the drift.

“Morgan Jones is dead”

Lennie James as Morgan Jones on Fear the Walking Dead. As portrayed on Season 6, Episode 1. – Photo Credit: Ryan Green / AMC

On the Fear the Walking Dead Season 6 premiere, Morgan Jones had a bold sentence for Virginia over walkie talkie. “Morgan Jones is dead. And you are dealing with somebody else now.”

It appears FTWD fans will be seeing a very different Morgan from the one we met with Rick Grimes. The Morgan we got to know with Carol Peletier, The Wolf, and Eastman.

Morgan is seeking to redefine himself, to break with his instinctive reverie-level habits and find redemption one day at a time. As Albert Einstein once said, “The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again.” Thus, Morgan not holding back on his bounty hunter was an evolution on the character. Like The Saviors and Benjamin’s end before him, Morgan has seen firsthand what happens when evil is allowed to prosper unabated.

All it takes is one great villain, antagonist

The Season 6 premiere was possibly the best episode Lennie James has done on Fear the Walking Dead since arriving on the series. No remote control toy cars in shopping malls anywhere in sight. It was back to Morgan searching for a reason to survive in a lawless world that’s deserted him.

A nihilistic world that left his good natured intuition by the wayside. Every human trait Morgan thought to be good was sent to the scrapyard, a heap of rubbish burning in the hot sun. A symbol of the past. To defeat Virginia, the rules must be ignored and seen as guidelines rather than chiseled in stone.

It was bold, different, and fresh. Quite honestly, it’s a shame Emile has already met his end as he was one of the best villains in a while on FTWD. Harkening back to the early “Nebraska” episode of The Walking Dead Season 2 that saw Rick Grimes and Hershel Greene in a old-school western shootout. Emile even had his own custom trademark weapon, ala Negan and Daryl Dixon.

On Social Media:

Be sure to follow Lennie James on Twitter and Instagram. There’s never been a better time to ask him about his cooking!