Shocking: The Walking Dead Star's Unbelievable Departure Reaction Will Leave You Speechless

One actor from The Walking Dead reflects on their intense emotional experience upon leaving the show. As fans of the popular apocalyptic franchise are well aware, the series is known for its impactful character changes. These departures are often intended to propel the storyline forward, imparting lessons to the remaining ensemble or setting the stage for future developments. However, the exits of many characters on The Walking Dead undoubtedly leave a lasting impact on both the audience and the cast themselves.

During a recent roundtable discussion with other potential Emmy nominees in the Comedy categories arranged by The Hollywood Reporter, Tyler James Williams, known for his role as Noah on The Walking Dead, candidly discussed his profound reaction to departing the AMC series. Here, Williams reflects on his final scenes and shares memories with fellow cast member Steven Yeun, who portrayed Glenn on TWD and also participated in the roundtable discussion:

WILLIAMS: I recall having a similar experience with you (referring to Yeun) during my final scene on The Walking Dead. I vividly remember that day, when I didn't want to leave the show and felt a sense of shame for harboring such feelings. As an actor, it's expected to transition from one project to another and remain detached from the people you work with. However, on that particular day, it was a challenge for me. But then, something changed. When we finished filming, the director called "cut" and I simply couldn't hold myself together.

WILLIAMS: Yeah, it was a whole thing. And [Yeun] was a really good guy about it.

YEUN: Dude, the whole scene was you saying, “Don’t let me go.”

WILLIAMS: Yeah, you are experiencing this very moment, and all the emotions you have been carrying throughout the day, you didn't realize that was the purpose. The purpose was to bring you exactly to this point in time, without any judgment, and simply let it exist as it is [for the scene]. I only realized this when we had already left.

Why Noah's Death In The Walking Dead Hit So Hard

Noah is introduced as a ward in Grady Memorial Hospital in Atlanta by Beth Greene in season 5 of The Walking Dead. Their relationship develops positively until Beth's death in the episode "Coda." Following her demise, Noah joins Rick Grimes' group. Despite his inherent nervousness and lack of confidence, Noah's character evolves over ten episodes spanning two seasons. Tragically, he meets his end in the episode "Spend," leaving a profound impact on the audience.

Trapped in a revolving door, Noah is torn apart by walkers while Glenn watches in horror, unable to offer assistance. His death presents a horrifying glimpse into the nightmarish reality of a zombie apocalypse, particularly heightened by Noah's young age and the impactful performance delivered by Williams. Based on the actor's remarks, filming this scene proved to be a formidable challenge. The episode received critical acclaim, being hailed as a prime example of The Walking Dead's strengths.

Presently, Williams is earning recognition and praise for his outstanding portrayal in Abbott Elementary, a drastically different genre that may potentially earn him prominent awards. Nevertheless, his comments indicate that his portrayal of Noah in The Walking Dead had a lasting impact, despite its relatively brief presence in the franchise's overall history.

Source: THR