Alycia Debnam-Carey, who plays Alicia Clark on AMC’s Fear the Walking Dead, will direct an episode of the show’s upcoming season 7. Fear the Walking Dead, which premiered in 2015, is a spinoff of the enormously popular The Walking Dead, which is itself based on Robert Kirkman’s beloved comic book series of the same name. In its first few seasons, FTWD focused on the Clark family from Los Angeles led by Madison Clark (Kim Dickens) as they scrambled to survive the early stages of the zombie apocalypse. From season 4 onwards, the show has focused more on Morgan Jones (Lennie James), a character who crossed over to FTWD from The Walking Dead.
Australian actress, Debnam-Carey, has been part of Fear the Walking Dead since its pilot episode playing Alicia Clark, daughter of Madison. Over time, and throughout multiple personal tragedies, Debnam-Carey’s Alicia has matured into a resilient survivor and reluctant leader. Season 6’s explosive finale left Alicia imprisoned in a bunker by cult leader Teddy, who had visions of creating a new world order. Alicia’s whereabouts are currently unknown by the rest of her group, and how she will escape from the bunker remains to be seen.
In a virtual panel for Comic-Con International, it was announced that Debnam-Carey will soon step behind the camera for the first time, to direct an episode of FTWD season 7. Debnam-Carey revealed that directing is something she has “wanted to explore for a really long time” and that she is “so excited.” She also shared that she was inspired by seeing cast mates Lennie James and Colman Domingo (Victor Strand) direct episodes, and witnessing “how [directing] had changed their perspectives as an actor.” Read what she had to say below:
“I’m so excited, like I cannot tell you just how excited I am. I think it’s something I’ve wanted to do, honestly, for a few years now, but I didn’t think I had quite the handle on it yet, and I hadn’t had a chance to shadow direct - which is where you shadow one of the directors, our recurring directors on the show - and in my case, I’m really lucky at the moment, I get to shadow our producing director Michael E. Satrazemis, which is super exciting.
But I had wanted to do it for a long time and then just before season 7 started I was like, I just have to throw my hat in the ring, and just see if [showrunners] Ian [Goldberg] and Andrew [Chambliss] will let me do it, and they were - everyone was just so supportive and encouraging - and they were like, of course, that would be amazing, and we would love for you to do that.
I’d seen Lennie [James] and Colman [Domingo] do it, and how it had changed their perspectives as an actor, you know, as someone in the film and TV industry. It just - it was another creative layer that I’ve wanted to explore for a really long time and I just, I just knew I had to throw my hat in the ring and give it a shot. I’m so nervous! But it’s gonna be great.”
Debnam-Carey went on to say that “knowing the show from the pilot is one of the reasons” she felt she could direct FTWD, because she knows the series “inside and out.” According to Debnam-Carey, directing an episode “feels like the next step.” She will certainly be in good hands as she prepares: Satrazemis, whom Debnam-Carey will be shadowing, has directed 16 episodes of FTWD so far, including the season 6 finale.
The Walking Dead universe seems to be a welcoming environment for actors to get the chance to direct: in addition to Debnam-Carey, James, and Domingo directing episodes of FTWD, it was recently confirmed that The Walking Dead’s Michael Cudlitz (Abraham Ford) will direct an upcoming episode of TWD. It’s not unusual for actors to turn to directing at a certain point in their careers, especially when they have been working on the same project for as long as Debnam-Carey has been part of FTWD. If Debnam-Carey enjoys the experience, she may decide to direct more episodes in the future, and perhaps try her hand at directing other projects. Like her character Alicia Clark, Debnam-Carey doesn’t seem to be one to shy away from new challenges. Season 7 of Fear the Walking Dead will premiere October 17, 2021 on AMC.
Source: Comic-Con International