The Walking Dead: Exclusive Insights from Daryl Dixon Cast Members - A Must-Read for Fans!

Summary

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon takes the franchise in a bold new direction overseas, with Norman Reedus delivering a fantastic performance as always.

New additions to the series include actors Eriq Ebouaney, Anne Charrier, Romain Levi, and Louis Puech Scigliuzzi, who contribute a variety of characters and real-life expertise to the show.

The actors share their insights from their time on set, with Louis Puech Scigliuzzi emphasizing the valuable lessons he gained from working alongside Norman Reedus and the thrill of being involved in a highly renowned franchise.

In The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, Norman Reedus' beloved character faces new challenges abroad, including encounters with fresh walkers, unfamiliar human factions, and a language barrier. This six-episode series successfully takes the franchise in an exciting new direction following the flagship series finale. Reedus delivers a fantastic performance as always, accompanied by a talented ensemble cast who bring their biggest international project to date in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.

Adding to the excitement, Eriq Ebouaney (Fallou), Anne Charrier (Genet), Romain Levi (Codron), and Louis Puech Scigliuzzi (Laurent) join the franchise as thrilling new additions. Together, these actors embody the diverse range of character morality found in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon. Genet and Codron complicate the narrative as villains, while Fallou and Laurent represent the struggle for France's future. Additionally, these actors bring a wealth of real-world experience, with Eriq Ebouaney boasting an impressive resume including Kingdom of Heaven and Liaison, and Louis Puech Scigliuzzi making his debut in The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.

Louis Puech Scigliuzzi, Romain Levi, Eriq Ebouaney & Anne Charrier On The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon

Louis Puech Scigliuzzi, Romain Levi, Eriq Ebouaney, and Anne Charrier sat down with Screen Rant to discuss their respective roles, their interactions with Norman Reedus, and the significance of The Walking Dead's arrival in France. It's worth noting that this interview took place during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, and while these actors themselves aren't SAG-AFTRA members, the show in question would not have been possible without the dedication and hard work of writers and actors from both unions.

Screen Rant: This is your TV debut, right?

Louis Puech Scigliuzzi: It's my first thing ever. I’ve never worked on any show, anything, ever.

What was the most surprisingly difficult thing about it for you?

Louis Puech Scigliuzzi: The first day was exceptionally challenging. Normally, I attend school and lead a typical childhood life, but that day I had to juggle both school and being on set. It turned out to be quite enjoyable as all the other kids were present. However, it was undeniably tough for me since I was relatively new to this entire experience.

Anne, it appears that your character, Genet, is not just focused on survival; she seems to have a clear objective and purpose. Without revealing too much, can you provide any insight into what she is pursuing and who she truly is?

Anne Charrier: Clearly, she has a vision for the entire population, but she doesn't consider it a personal ambition. Her true desire is to improve the community and she firmly believes that her plan is the right one. She is confident that her efforts will be successful, simple as that. It's worth noting that she remains oblivious to the traits of a dictator and genuinely believes she is fighting for justice.

Moving on to Louis, I must mention that this was his first experience. We were all astounded by the remarkable work he delivered on set. His natural talent and easygoing nature made it a delight for the entire team to have him on board and to get to know him.

Romain, I imagine you're probably a nice guy.

Anne Charrier: You don’t know him!

Eriq Ebouaney: Maybe not. [Laughs]

Was it hard for you at all to tap into the ruthlessness and the intensity that your character has? Because he's a scary guy.

Romain Levi: I greatly enjoyed it. As an actor, I prefer not to pass judgment on my character. I dedicated myself to comprehending this individual and delving into the circumstances that led him to his present predicament. According to Codron's perspective, he is engaged in a war and, in such circumstances, one cannot behave as if it were ordinary life. I devoted significant effort to exploring the background of this character in order to grasp his mindset, and I developed a deep fondness for him.

Eriq Ebouaney: He displayed cruelty. Both on and off the set, he embodied his character to the fullest—a method actor.

Is it true that you are a method actor?

Romain Levi: No, I wouldn't say that I am a method actor per se. I prefer not to completely immerse myself in the character beyond the scene, as it can occasionally present challenges in certain situations.

Eriq Ebouaney: Being a part of The Walking Dead universe was an immense honor for me. It truly felt like being welcomed into a big family. During our initial reading and run-through with the cast members, I was genuinely touched by the way Norman embraced us and made us feel like we belonged. The experience thrilled me beyond words.

To be honest, I've only seen the initial two seasons of The Walking Dead. Hence, I am eagerly anticipating watching this one alongside the audience, as it's currently the talk of the town. Its immense popularity has piqued my curiosity, and I'm eager to witness the fans' reaction firsthand. Rest assured, they will not be disappointed as this season is of exceptional quality. Daryl Dixon in France.

Louis, you had the opportunity to work closely with the seasoned actor Norman Reedus. Did you acquire any valuable lessons from him while filming your scenes together?

The universe we are in is vast, and there are numerous individuals who are aware of its existence. Did you experience any pressure when entering into this world, knowing the significance of your character to the overarching story?

Louis Puech Scigliuzzi: Personally, I remained calm and composed. I understood that if I fully committed myself to this project, success would eventually follow. I sought guidance from Norman and Greg Nicotero, who provided valuable assistance in navigating through it all.

Anne, how deeply did you delve into your character's backstory? Did you extensively research her background, or did you have to rely on your imagination and improvisation?

Anne Charrier: I had to create a lot of details. The writers had provided a solid foundation, but I had a personal understanding of the character. I knew her upbringing was modest, as her father was a fisherman. She must have faced numerous challenges to make a living and pursue education. She carried a lot of frustration towards her current life and the unfulfilled expectations she had. I explored questions like "What did she achieve? What did she miss out on? What shaped her into who she is now?" However, while the writers had set boundaries, I had the freedom to build my own story within those limits.

Romain, you and Norman frequently faced off against each other in the series. How did you feel about filming the action sequences? Is this something you have experience with?

Romain Levi: I thoroughly enjoyed it, truly. The very first scene I shot was a major fight scene with Norman, and I absolutely loved it. As Louie mentioned earlier, one thing that struck me was Norman's kindness. He always asked about my well-being, checking if I was okay after each punch, especially my head and neck. Experiencing that level of intensity... It was a fantastic way to kick off the show. I have had prior experience with physical scenes and genuinely enjoy them. I actually requested to do everything on my own. These types of scenes really resonate with me.

Eriq, in researching you, I read that you didn't start really pursuing acting until age 30 or so. Is that correct?

Eriq Ebouaney: Yeah, absolutely. Even though I'm still young.

Could you share any advice for individuals who are in a similar age group or have established careers, but desire to pursue their passion in a different field?

Being an American fan of The Walking Dead and seeing it being filmed in France is extremely exciting for me. I can only imagine how thrilling it must be for those working in Europe and specifically in France. Can you share your experience of having such a massive franchise shoot in your country?

Anne Charrier: It's absolutely crazy. Just like you, we never anticipated this happening. We are huge fans of the show ourselves, so being a part of it is like a dream come true. It's a surreal moment of unexpected coincidence.

Eriq Ebouaney: It's truly bizarre to witness the devastation of famous French locations, like the Eiffel Tower in Paris. I found it both awe-inspiring and mind-boggling.

Anne Charrier: Simultaneously, it feels fitting. With an iconic character, a renowned show, and a legendary city, it all falls into place.

Eriq Ebouaney: It’s like our Super Bowl.

About The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon

In The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, Daryl finds himself stranded in France, grappling with fragmented memories and a profound sense of disorientation. Determined to unravel the mystery behind his presence in a foreign land, he embarks on a compelling odyssey across a war-torn yet resilient France, tirelessly yearning to make his way back home. Yet, amidst his arduous journey, unexpected bonds begin to form, intricately entangling his overarching plan with unforeseen complications.

Check back for our other the Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon interviews:

Production Designer Clovis Weil

Director Daniel Percival & Director of Photography Matteo Tomasso Fiorilli

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon premiered September 10th on AMC. New episodes air on Sundays.