His co-stars’ reactions helped shape the villain’s unsettling mannerisms
Summary
– Jeffrey Dean Morgan developed Negan’s lean and smile during his first night filming the lineup
– Andrew Lincoln’s reactions helped him recognize what was working
– Morgan also recalled Michael Cudlitz’s enthusiasm before Abraham’s death scene
Jeffrey Dean Morgan found part of Negan’s personality by watching how his fellow actors responded to him. The character’s familiar, lean, delighted smile developed during his first night of filming the lineup sequence on The Walking Dead.
Reflecting on the performance, Morgan explained that he was looking for ways to show how much Negan enjoyed controlling the situation. His physical mannerisms became an important part of that approach.
“But what I did come up with was the lean and the enjoyment that you can have, the smile.”
Morgan said the other actors gave him immediate feedback through their reactions. As he experimented, he could recognize which gestures were getting under their skin, helping him develop the threatening presence he wanted.
Andrew Lincoln became a particular point of reference. Morgan watched how the Rick Grimes actor responded when he leaned toward him and felt the movement was affecting both the character and the performer.
“The lean in particular, when I would do it, I was watching Andy Lincoln.”
That interaction helped Morgan establish the contrast between Negan’s amusement and the terror surrounding him. While the survivors faced an unbearable situation, Negan behaved as though he was enjoying every moment.
Morgan also recalled an early conversation with Michael Cudlitz, who played Abraham. Cudlitz asked whether Morgan knew who Negan would kill, but Morgan said nobody had told him yet.
According to Morgan, Cudlitz enthusiastically responded, “Oh, you’re gonna love it.” Morgan did not initially realize the conversation concerned Cudlitz’s own character.
Another detail from filming involved the blood effect that struck Lincoln’s face. Morgan recalled that it came from his bat swing rather than someone separately throwing blood onto Lincoln, and he praised his co-star’s response during the scene.
