The Walking Dead: Lennie James to leave series for spinoff Fear the Walking Dead

The character first appeared in the AMC series' first ever episode

The Walking Dead character to cameo in spinoff series Fear the Walking Dead has been confirmed.

It was previously announced that one actor would move to the popular prequel series for its fourth season - and now the identity of said actor has been revealed.

On post-episode discussion show The Talking Dead, the character of Morgan Jones - played by Lennie James - was announced as the one to crossover when when the series returns in 2018.

Upon the announcement, TWD showrunner Scott Gimple said: “Morgan's arc in The Walking Dead season eight positioned him for the story on Fear the Walking Dead. It was also important to see Fear's world and characters through new, yet familiar eyes.”

The news is believed to have been announced in a bid to prevent the surprise being ruined by on-set photos as James is set to begin filming his scenes for Fear today (27 November).

Quite how he'll crop up in the series alongside stars Kim Dickens, Alycia Debnam Carey and Frank Dillane remains to be seen, but James himself said: “From the very first moment the whole suggestion of Morgan going over to Fear the Walking Dead, the hardest part of that, from beginning to now, has been leaving The Walking Dead.

“Leaving that cast, leaving that crew. I've said my goodbyes to the cast and I've said my goodbyes to the crew... That show stands or falls on the back of that crew. And I'm going to miss them very much.”

James first appeared as Morgan in the very first episode of The Walking Dead back in 2010 before returning briefly in season three and then full-time for the show's sixth season.

We interviewed James ahead of season 8 where he teased the unique way the show's walkers have been used in the war against Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan).

The Walking Dead season eight airs every Sunday in the US on AMC with the UK premiere arriving the following evening on FOX. It will also be available on NOWTV

Follow Independent Culture on Facebook