Is Heath From ‘The Walking Dead’ Destined For The Walker Heap After The Latest ’24: Legacy’ Casting Announcement?

Fans of Heath in AMC’s The Walking Dead may have to cross their fingers and hope for the best for the character who was introduced in the first half of season 6 thanks to the latest casting news for Corey Hawkins, the actor who plays Heath.

SPOILER ALERT: This article contains information about both the comic book and TV series of The Walking Dead. Significant storylines and characters deaths from the comic books series especially are discussed. Please proceed with caution if you wish to avoid spoilers.

TVLine has just announced that Corey Hawkins has been cast as the lead in the new pilot of Fox’s 24: Legacy. If Fox’s revamp of the 24 series goes ahead, Corey’s Walking Dead character may be in danger if the actor finds it hard to juggle both roles. Could Heath then be at risk of becoming walker fodder before his time has even started in AMC’s hit zombie show?

In 24: Legacy, Corey Hawkins will play Eric Carter, who, according to TVLine is “a strong and smart former Army Ranger who finds himself pulled back into action as his past comes looking for him.” For 24 fans, the co-chairman and CEO of Fox, Dana Walden, released the following statement about 24: Legacy:

“There’s a time jump, a new organization, a completely different story. It’s a contemporary story about the potential to activate sleeper cells in the United States. There are nods in the pilot to prior CTU agents, but no ongoing characters.”

So what happens to Heath in The Walking Dead if Corey Hawkins is set to star as the lead in 24: Legacy? According to Forbes, it may spell the end for Heath in The Walking Dead. Considering Heath has only appeared in three episodes of The Walking Dead so far and gotten a scant mention in one more, it doesn’t seem like it will be so hard for AMC to kill off the new character. However, for fans of the Walking Dead comics, it will be somewhat more of an issue.

In the comic books, Heath is still alive and kicking and a pretty major character. While he starts of as a supplies runner, just like in the television version of The Walking Dead, in the comics, Heath survives the all out war involving Negan and then goes on to settle into the role of “herd-cattle” crew.

But what about in the TV series of The Walking Dead? Is Heath a character AMC will need to hold onto — even if he does survive in the comics? Potentially AMC could just switch out another character’s death for that of Heath’s. It’s been done before and, considering how little air time Heath has had so far, it could be done again. Perhaps Heath could meet the same fate as Glenn (played by Steven Yeun in the TV series) does in the comic books? Although, to be honest, Glenn’s death is only likely to work with a significant character because it shows the audience just what they are dealing with when it comes to the new character of Negan. Could Morgan’s death be switched with Heath’s? This would make a little more sense thanks to the fact that such a big build up to Rick and Morgan (played by Lennie James in the TV series) meeting again was made in the TV series that it would make more sense for Morgan to survive in season 6 of The Walking Dead. Or perhaps AMC could just create a new and inventive way to kill of Heath in season 6? Only time will tell.

Another option AMC has is to recast the role of Heath to another actor. After all, Heath is known for his iconic hair and glasses so it wouldn’t be that hard to switch out Corey Hawkins for another actor. It would also help alleviate fans drawing attention to the fact so many black characters are killed off in the TV version of The Walking Dead.

Finally, Corey Hawkins could just juggle his two roles. Although this depends mainly on whether 24: Legacy is picked up for more than a pilot episode. Considering AMC slotted Morgan’s appearances around Lennie James’ filming commitments, it is possible they will could do the same for Corey. After all, while Heath is a beloved comic book character, he really hasn’t had a lot of appearances in the TV show yet, so his character could be placed on the back burner somewhat more than other characters.

So far, only the pilot has been commissioned by Fox for 24: Legacy. But, if that is successful, it is likely the new series will run for 12 episodes like the previous version, 24.

Are you looking forward to 24: Legacy? Or are you too busy worrying about the fate of Heath in season 6 of The Walking Dead as a result of this latest casting news? Let us know your thoughts by commenting below.

Season 6 of The Walking Dead returns to AMC on Sunday, February 14, 2016.

[Photo by AMC]