The Monday after the season finale for The Walking Dead, ComicsOnline was able to get in on a press junkett interview with Chad L. Coleman, who plays Tyreese on The Walking Dead.

He had a starring role on the HBO series The Wire as reformed criminal Denise “Cutty” Wise. In 2002, Coleman starred as O.J. Simpson in TNT’s television movie Monday Night Mayhem. Chad also had a role in the Terminator: Sarah Connor Chronicles  TV series on Fox. He also had a small role in Carlito’s Way: Rise To Power. He has recently been involved in the development of Left 4 Dead 2 as voice actor for the character Coach.^[1] In 2009, Coleman appeared in a revival of August Wilson’s play Joe Turner’s Come and Gone on Broadway and also had a starring role in the Norwegian TV series Buzz Aldrin, What Happened To You In The Confusion?, based on the novel by Johan Hardstad.  The series aired in Europe in November 2011.   He also guest starred in the In Plain Sight episode “Whistle Stop” as an ex-boxer/witness suffering from pugilistic dementia, and in the Lie To Me episode “The Canary’s Song” as a coal miner. He was also a guest star in two episodes of It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia in 2010.

Question:  It’s interesting that your character is introduced in the mid season finale, so while us as viewers have only just seen you, you’ve basically just finished season three.  Just sort of curious from your prospective, could you tell us a little about the character now that you’ve been in season three and how he’s different from the graphic novel version a lot of us know.

Chad:  Well I’m not a inside out speaking of the graphic novel, I was told when I came on board if we need to reference it we will, and this will in no way diminish it but the experience I’m having with the show, “Just ride with us, and if we need to reference the graphic novel with insights and that perspective we will, but just, you know, ride it out with us, scrip to script” kind of deal.  I would say that the humanity of the man is very much akin to was done in the graphic novel, but I believe his kind of lack of skills as a rifleman is very much a part of it.  His desires to protect and abstain from egregious violence.  His humanity, his strong sense of family, those are the strong things that come out in playing this role.

Q:  Was it difficult for you….I mean your character WAS in the comic books, but they changed him quite a bit it looks like, was that difficult for you to come on as a character with an established arc?  Did your work in the Left 4 Dead video game help get you this role?

C:  No, that was never referenced, and would have been fine with me.  The story I get mostly is Robert Kirkland was a huge fan of The Wire, and the character I played, I think that’s kind of the origin of their interest in me.  No, I can only say I watched all the prior episodes, and I had great discussions with Glen Mazzara and some limited with Kirkland, but knowing full well he and Glen were in full disclosure.  I just trusted that we were gonna go somewhere interesting and compelling, and from the interest on, I was open to the journey.,  And Glen had an open door policy so any questions I had he was always there at a moments notice.  And it’s been different, you know, just get on the roller coaster and hang on.  And they’ve always delivered some amazing stuff for us.

Q:  Can you tease and do some forecasting for us about the relationship of Tyreese and Rick might be like, or shape up to be going down the road.

C:  That’s a dangerous question. Hey, I can say cliffhanger, but forces collide on some levels is what I’ll say.

Q:  And the same for Michone?

C:  Heh, I can’t give you one iota about that.  From cliffhanger to the 3rd power.  There is much that will surprise me as it’ll surprise you.  It’s going to be juicy and awesome for all parties involved.

Q:  They show you jumping around, you kind of get throne into the mix with the cast right away.  The physical aspect, so can you tell us about your first days killing zombies?  Did you have fun with that?

C:  A complete and absolute adrenaline rush.  The electricity running through my body like crazy, and also the technical aspect of it was equally as compelling to me.  ‘Oh wow, THIS is how you do it?  Oh COOL!’  Put those two together, and that’s what it was like to me.  Their zombies are so real, there really isn’t alot of acting required, it’s so real, and so eerie.  It’s so strange to see them, the zombies, doing regular things, having lunch, in between scenes.  Bunch of guys getting the salad dressing all zombied up is pretty hilarious.

Q:  Touching on what you just said, does it take some getting used to?  Hanging with these hideous zombies, knowing they’re real people.

C:  the pendulum swings back and forth.  you know you’re not doing a take and they’re saying “oh I’m sorry did i not get close enough or too close?”  And theres this real human thing going on and yet they look all hideous.

Q:  If the Mayans are right, how would you want to spend your last day?

C:  Family.  I was going to be selfish and say significant others, but I would hope with my SO and family, circling the wagons and being together.  And wherever we were going, we loved fully, and stayed together.

Q: Has the regular cast welcomed you with open arms?  Your character is more like an outsider who has to earn his place in the established order.

C:  Um, well, it’s quite the opposite. Amazing extraordinary cast of human beings and I’m not exaggerating Andrew Lincoln has to be the nicest ego less lead actor I’ve ever met in my life.  And he’s energy and temperament falls over everyone.  its one big happy family.  On one level, the respect my body of work that I’ve been able to put together, but the show is the thing for Andrew.  It’s his baby and his passion, and that’s why we all tune in.  That’s why we enjoy it and go forward.  This doesn’t happen, it’s only the second time in my career that I’ve felt this sense of family and open arms kind of ‘come in and we want to see you shine’ type of attitude.  It’s really wonderful.

Q:  Do you feel you’re in shape enough to do all this running in the Georgia heat?

C:  Oh, of course. I grew up in Richmond, Va. So it gets a little sticky there as well.  And I have two sisters who live in Georgia, soI love running in the heat.  bring on the heat.

Q: So the episode last night, there is the heavy scene where Carl locks the door, and your character says “You heard the man”.  Does Tyreese see something in Carl other than that initial meeting in the hall?

C: Oh yeah.  I would say I love that scene, it’s also speaks to his ability to read a situation clearly in the matter and get the matter taking care of.  He read the situation very quick the way that young man held the weapon, what he was dealing with. He was gonna handle it as diplomatically as possible, and he was in no way shape or form was going to take for granite who this young man was.

Q:  when you went up for the audition, were you aware that this character was a big fan favorite?

C: Yeah.  As soon as I went online, I was like OH WOW ok, that was really the icing on the cake.  I’ve created original roles before, but having a character in an original form, and being able to honor it, the way you know the people have an attachment, and being able to live up to it, my desire is to make the audience proud of whats happening in the world of The Walking Dead.

Q: In the comics, Tyreese becomes Rick’s second hand man. Any hints about that in the series?  Do you think Rick needs one in the series, or is he destined to become another Shane?

C:  I, Chad Coleman the actor would LOVE that.  Just for the opportunity to go toe to toe with Andrew.  Thats the selfish aspect.  For the story I think it’d be compelling.  I can’t say I think it would occur, but I’m putting my vote for it.

Q; If you were in the zombie Apocalypse, what would be your weapon of choice?

C: Honestly, I love his crossbow.  I would have to stay true to the hammer.  And I can do a lot of damage with that thing.

Q:  One of the things fans of color have been waiting for is some black characters who would stick around for awhile.  Can you give us some hope that they’ll be around?

C:  I have a very dear friend, who is leading the online charge.  But I can’t really say anything except stay patient, I don’t think theres any kind of agenda.  It’s just how the story telling unfolds.  I think you’ll all be very proud of Michone, Sasha, and Tyreese, you’ll be so satisfied.  These folks work for the highest integrity, no worries, strap on your seat belt and enjoy the ride.

Q:  Whats the difference between Tyreese as a loner vs a family man in the comics and in the show?

C:  He has a different moral compass. Not to get too picky with it, a certain selflessness, when it’s not about self preservation.  When you have to think about and take care of others, its a different energy and experience.  I mean in my own life when I had to become a caretaker to some members of my family, my role has changed.  I see the weight of it, to me personally, than being a lone rider.

Q: How it is to be on this set, more epic in scale and more like a movie every week. How is this different than your experiences on other sets that you’ve worked on?  And is there any chance of you and Carol hooking up?

C:  laughter….to be continued….I Chad Coleman the actor WOULD LOVE THAT.  They have a habit of casting people who have that kind of scale, but I feel comfy.  But in the theater, that level of presence, a lot of plays you do are larger than life, and maybe I draw from that, like a Shakespearean or Greek tragedy, it’s welcoming, its inviting, it’s satisfying, it’s like a full meal.  Who doesn’t want to be involved in that type of work with that depth to it?

Q: We know your work on the Wire, can you compare and contrast between the two?

C: the differences right away horror zombie aspect, the technical side of it, whats done in post and stuff, and things you have to do, way to position your body that have to occur so the audience can experiences things in a certain way.  It’s far more physical, even though I’m gym training, I find myself winded more than on the Wire.  The similarities are in the intelligence, the creativity, and the passion of the actors and the creators of the show, that’s the same. I’m tired of hearing Sonequa (character Sasha) saying ‘I’m tried of hearing of how this reminds you of the wire”.  But I say this!  These are flagship types of shows with artistic integrity all actors PINE for. We were about to take the cast photo, and they were all like “Yes Chad, we know this reminds you of The Wire”, and so they started joking on me terribly.  So I have to get that from them, it’s truly a compliment.  I don’t want anyone to mis read, I have to say this is filet mignon, and you don’t get that alot.  I love the horror aspect, being able to dive in to that that world and still have these relationships and this strength of characters to take it on.  It’s a hell of a ride.

Q:  How was the atmosphere on the last day of filming season 3?

C:  It was exhausting.  Andrew Lincoln gets everyone in a circle, and he’s talking about fluidity.  It’s about taking a moment and relishing what we have.  It’s the entire cast applauding our group, and hugging us and telling us how wonderful we all are.  Looking people in the eyes and saying thank you for letting us be on this journey.  everyone feels the love, and is so excited about coming back.

Q: Talk more about getting cast in the show.  What did you know about the character going in, and the acting choices you made to set you apart from that room full of guys.

C:  Unbeknownst to me, my agent had been speaking to Kirkman about me playing this role for awhile. So whenever you have the creator kinda pulling your card, you’re in a pretty good position.  It was the matter of talking to Glen, there was a wheel barrow of info, but him saying “take a look at stuff here, take a look at stuff online, look at these episodes, and this is what we know about him.”  I was looking for a kernel, a seed, and that is Tyreese’s humanity, which resonates with me personally as well. I just started connecting dots, with my self, and working with Sonequa, which gave a sense of family, which resonates with me and that sense of humanity, and rest kind of filled itself out.

Q:  The announcement of you being cast in this role was met pretty positively from the fan base.

C:  The thing I left out, there were the online discussions, and the public had thrown my name in, so they knew there were people who felt strongly I could fill those shoes, so that was very humbling as well.

Q:  added pressure?

C:  Heh, when Michael Jourdan is shooting the last 3 seconds to win the game, I think he relishes it, so I relish it.  every actor wants to be held to a high standard, and it keeps me sharp.

Q:  What does TV Tyreese value in this post apocalyptic world?

C:  Life, human life.  and the preservation of it.  Humanity, normalcy, family.  “Can’t we just wake up one day and not have to think about living like….THIS?  Can’t we have some safety, some security?”

Q:  How much are we going to get to explore Tyreese?  His famous football background, are people going to recognize him?

C:  I don’t know.  I Chad Coleman the actor in as much as it’s going to continue it’ll help us tell a compelling story, yeah, sure.  His back history between myself and Allan, that initially we didn’t know but we found out as we went along, boy that was an amazing day.  It just sweetens the pot, it makes it better, heightens the stakes.

Q:  How many episodes have you shot?

C:  I’m in 5 of the last 8.

Q:  Rick’s approach at survival and leadership, him going head to head with the Governor, Carl’s transformation, Tyreese’s appearance, what do you think these elements in season 3 play into rick’s leadership?

C:  I don’t know if I’m qualified for that!  I can say we all see an unraveling of Rick, and then to the son who has expectations of his father, who wants to emulate his father, but then he’s like “what?  who are you?!”  And then here comes this guy, compassionate, but theres a dark side of well.  But all those ingredients will lend to something incredibly compelling.

Q:  Were you a fan of zombie movies/genre?  And do you have a favorite movie?

C:  28 days later, I love that genre.  I mean my daughter is a huge fan, of the gore and all that good stuff.  And even the funny ones, Shawn of the Dead and stuff like that.  I know I haven’t hit on an American one, but I become more and more of a fan of it everyday.  I’ve always been a fan, just never a straight student of it.