The Walking Dead Is a "Different Show Now," Thanks To Jeffrey Dean Morgan's Nega…

When we last saw our heroes on The Walking Dead, things were not looking good. Rick and the gang had been collectively brought to their knees by new villain Negan and one of them was about to lose their lives. And if you think that the tension will let up once the identity of deceased is revealed in the season seven premiere, Jeffrey Dean Morgan wants you to think again.

No, as the actor revealed to EW, the major loss coming our way is only the beginning. “It’s a reset on The Walking Dead world,” he told the magazine. “It’s f–king Negan’s world now.”

The introduction of Morgan’s ultra-villainous character to the series is going to have a major impact on the show, the actor teased, noting characters will be taken out of commission.

“It’s going to be a whole new beginning for The Walking Dead. Really, we’ve taken the show and just flipped it upside down,” he said. “It’s a different show now. It’s going to have a different feeling. You’re going to see your favorite characters in a position that they’ve never been in before, which is super vulnerable and victimized.”

When E! News spoke with Morgan on set of The Good Wife he delivered a message to Walking Dead fans: “Bring on the hate mail,” he said. “I’m ready.”

Of course, Negan isn’t the only thing being added to the mix. As the just-released trailer for season seven revealed, Ezekiel (Khary Payton) and his pet tiger Shiva are making their transition from the page to screen as well—just in time to help our heroes in their war with Negan’s Saviors. It sounds like they’re going to need it.

The Walking Dead premieres Sunday, October 23 at 9 p.m. on AMC.