The Walking Dead

Josh Hamilton Interview: Lance Hornsby & The Governor

Published

2 years ago

September 15, 2022

Nir Regev

Photo Credit: (left) Josh Stringer/AMC / (right) Gene Page/AMC

Josh Hamilton spoke to The Natural Aristocrat about Lance Hornsby being the closest thing to The Governor since The Walking Dead Season 4 and working with Melissa McBride.

‘But The Governor is like 8 feet tall! (laughs) David Morrissey is such an amazing actor.’

This interview took place during a Walking Dead press day roundtable over Zoom.

THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT (NIR REGEV): Lance Hornsby is the closest I’ve seen to the early iteration of The Governor. Your physical mannerisms remind me of David Morrissey a little bit and there’s so many parallels between Woodbury & The Commonwealth.

I was wondering if David Morrissey was one of your acting inspirations to craft Lance Hornsby?

JOSH HAMILTON: He was not but it’s a great compliment. I mean The Governor is so tall! He’s like 8 feet tall! (laughs)

But I think David Morrissey is such an amazing actor. I would happily admit to stealing from him if I had thought of it. I wish I’d stolen from him more. It’s different though because his relationship with his daughter is so dark and twisted.

Photo Credit: (left) Jace Downs/AMC / (right) Gene Page/AMC

I feel like Lance’s ambitions and his reason for wanting to have more power and do things come from a more everyday normal sort of ambition. I think The Governor had a little bit darker backstory, right?

However, if that’s how it comes across on-screen, I wish I had more blatantly stolen like that. He would have been such a great help.

Josh Hamilton on working with Melissa McBride:

Josh Hamilton as Lance Hornsby – The Walking Dead _ Season 11, Episode 13 – Photo Credit: Josh Stringer/AMC

I mean, she’s one of those actors that just makes you better because she has no pretense. When you talk to her, if you feel yourself forcing something or putting something on that’s extraneous, you’re automatically aware of it because she’s just so present. Yeah, she just makes you a better actor.

In terms of why Lance is attracted to or drawn towards Carol, I think he really appreciates that she is incredibly capable, he spots that right away. She’s someone who can think 3, 4, 5 steps ahead, which is how he sees & tries to navigate the world. So he appreciates seeing it in others.

He’s always looking for any person who can do something for him. Then he’ll do something for them in return. Lance is a fixer, he’s someone who cultivates relationships with people that can get things done.

When she gets the wine in one of the earlier episodes, he’s like, ‘Wow, she figured out how to get out of The Commonwealth, find wine and get back in with it!’ I think right away, he’s just knows, ‘This is someone I want to work with’.

Josh Hamilton on Lance Horsby’s survival tactics

Josh Hamilton as Lance Hornsby – The Walking Dead _ Season 11, Episode 15 – Photo Credit: Jace Downs/AMC

It’s fascinating to think about the show as a metaphor for survival. Especially, in the tough environment I feel we’re always in.

I can only speak about Lance’s point of view. I think he’s trying to make the best of it and create his semblance of what feels normal to him in life… And to take advantage of the position when the opportunities are there.

THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: Thanks Josh!

JOSH HAMILTON: Thank you!

– The Walking Dead Season 11 returns on AMC and AMC+ on Sunday, October 2 at 9pm ET/8c! What will become of the latest ‘Governor’ Pamela Milton? Only time will tell.

Episode 1117 “Lockdown” Synopsis:

“Daryl and Negan rush to the Commonwealth to stop Hornsby from going after their families. Pamela deals with protestors demanding justice for Sebastian’s crimes. Mercer needs Rosita’s help to fight a swarm.”

Directed by: Greg Nicotero

Written by: Julia Ruchman