Despite a bumpy ending after three seasons onThe Walking Dead, series starMichael Rookersays he feels no ill will towards the show’s creative team. The professional understands that this is just how the cookie crumbles and — like it or not - is the way of the industry. Jobs come, jobs go, and you just have to move on. During a recent chat withTMZ, theCliffhangerstar likened his departure from AMC’s hit zombie-centered series to that of hisHorizonco-star and director,Kevin Costner, whoflew the coop on his hit series,Yellowstone, just ahead of the show’s ending. Along with some words of affirmation for Costner, reassuring the man behind John Dutton that he would still be loved by the fanbase, Rooker also took some jabs at the writers behindThe Walking Dead, commenting,
“But we all [move on]. That’s what we do. We’re actors. We move on. We doThe Walking Dead. I get killed off. I don’t know why.They don’t know how to write for the character!So, I move on.”
So, yes, while Rooker has moved on with his life and career, things still might not be as peachy with the folks behindThe Walking Deadas his first few words made it seem. Like his on-screen brother,Daryl, played byNorman Reedus, Rooker’s Merle was a personality created specifically for the series and never appeared in the comic books. Misogynist, racist, and fully stuck in his ways, Merle was a hard character for the audience to come around to, but by Season 3, he had a full redemption arc only to be struck down, brought back as a zombie, and killed again by his beloved brother.
Michael Rooker Says Merle Is Still a Fan Favorite
While Reedus’ Daryl may have not only gone on to survive theshow’s eleven-season runbut also nab an uber-successful spin-off aptly titledThe Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, Merle earned his redemption and fully bowed out. Even though he didn’t appear in the latter eight seasons ofThe Walking Dead, Rooker says that he still gets recognized for the part and that the fandom never turned its back on him. Sending well wishes to Costner, who may now be worried about hisYellowstonefollowers, Rooker explained,
“They’re still there. My fans fromThe Walking Dead, the Merle Dixon fans, they’re still there. And nothing wrong with that. Yes [Yellowstonefans will still love Costner]. It’ll be okay.”
Rooker and Costner can now be seen working alongside one another in the first part ofHorizon, now in cinemas. Longtime fans and newcomers alike can check out all 11 seasons ofThe Walking Deadwhich are now streaming on Netflix.
The Walking Dead
Watch On Netflix
