David Jones is known for his work on AMC Series The Walking Dead

 

 

- How did you get your role in the AMC Series The Walking Dead as Survivor in Hilltop in Season 7, 8, 9 and 10?

I had moved to Georgia six months prior and decided to pursue acting.  My first job was a detective on one episode of the Vampire Diaries.  Soon after I found breakdown needed for actors who are the survival type and who have experience with firearms.  Being retired military that certainly fit my realm of experience, so I applied.  The next day I received an email congratulating me for being selected to The Walking Dead.  They had not advertised this as being for TWD so this was a nice surprise.

- David , did you watch the show or read the graphic novel, prior to
your casting to The Walking Dead?

I first watched the show in 2011 when my daughter was watching it one day, it was not from the beginning though.  I immediately started to critique the show from a military standpoint on how I would do things differently.  Mt daughter said well you will never be on the show so it does not matter, I said you never know maybe I will.  She remembered the conversation in 2016 when I worked on season 7.  In 2012 while stationed in South Korea I watched TWD from the beginning and got caught up.


- Working with Lennie James ,Tom Payne, Jeffrey Dean Morgan or one of the Maincast Members will be a dream for every TWD Fan, what can you say about working with some of this guys?

At first you do find yourself feeling a little excited, but it is work so it quickly ends up being just another normal day.  Many actors need to stay in the character and any conversations can change the mindset and that can be reflected on camera.  I have also found that some actors are no different than their character so having conversations is normal. 

 

I do not know if it is on purpose or a coincidence, but Norman Reedus would just suddenly be standing behind me and start talking.  This would startle me and after I answered him, he would walk away and take up his next position on set.  Sonequa Martin-Green also would ask how you were doing and have a real conversation.  I am so happy for her for her role on Star Trek Discovery. 

I would love to have a part on that show.  So far, the best actor I have seen on set perform is Andrew Lincoln.  In my opinion he is so deep into his character he is off alone and not allowing anyone to distract him from being Rick.  I watched him as Rick give the speech to everyone prior to the war with the saviors.  This was episode 100 and his character was so convincing that everyone else could feed off the performance and react exactly how the director intended.

- How much has the series The Walking Dead influenced your life? Can you
go outside unrecognized ?   The only people that I have ever known to recognize me are other members of TWD and the local movie tour representatives.  I was having a few drinks at Nick and Norms one night with friends when Greg Nicotero showed up.  He was being surrounded by people wanting to talk with him and take selfies.  Eventually he waved me over and talked with me for a while.  I have to admit that was pretty cool to have happen in front of three of my friends.


- In how many episode´s you worked in TWD in the season´s 7 -10?  I honestly lost count which is easy to do because you will work for multiple days on the same episode and not even know what episode.  I think I worked on season 9 the most, if it was Hilltop then I worked on it.


- Are you currently working on anything interesting Movie or Series
outside "The Walking Dead" that you can reveal?  Things have really slowed down because of COVID 19.  Productions are filming here is Georgia however, they are taking very strict measures and are hiring way less people.  I did work on a short film called The Conduit directed by Brian Wanjugu which we started prior to COVID and finished filming in the summer using individual scenes and green screens because of COVID.  I want to start a podcast soon, but I am still working out the details.  I have not applied for any acting jobs for a while perhaps I think I will start auditioning again this spring.  Acting classes are a must as well even the top actors still take classes.


- How does it feel and what did you think when you saw your face for the first time on the dead cards?
I was happy on how they came out.    The creator of The Dead Cards Mark Roberts is a great guy.  Just so happens Mark is also from my home state of West Virginia.  Just prior to COVID there were many shows Mark was going to attend and I was planning on going to some of them to help promote The Dead Cards.  Many people I have become friend with through the film industry and it is nice running into them at these events.

I have always wanted to land a role in a horror movie, something like The Devils Rejects.  If I ever do, I definitely want Mark Roberts to create another Dead Card.


- Is there any dream role or actor/actress you would loved to work in the future? 

Three roles I want to accomplish, a military movie, a horror movie and a western.  There is a military veteran community within the film industry, so any veteran actor or director is a yes for me.  What is interesting is the military veterans tend to gather up in the same area on set before we even know each other.  Dale Dye, a retired Marine Captain was working on a new project called No Better Place to Die, and I intend on applying for any role needed for this movie.


- Is there anything else you would like to let The Walking Dead Fans and your fans know? 

Thank you for being fans of TWD.  My Facebook page is E. David Jones so I will post on that page anything pending or anything I have done.  Check me out on Homicide Hunter season 9 episode 11.  When I start my podcast, I will be looking for people to interview on my show either in person or Zoom.  Take care.

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