How Did Jeffrey Dean Morgan Truly Feel About Killing Glenn?

For fans of The Walking Dead, the mere mention of Glenn Rhee’s name, and his brutal end at the hands of Negan, still sends shivers down the spine. It was, arguably, one of the most shocking and heart-wrenching moments in television history, a scene that very few viewers could ever truly forget. The sheer, raw brutality of it all, that's something that really sticks with you, isn't it? The man behind the bat, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, who so chillingly brought Negan to life, found himself at the center of this incredible storm of emotion and fan outcry. It's a role that, you know, changed his life in a very big way, and the impact of that particular moment continues to echo, even years later.

Many viewers, actually, felt a profound sense of loss, almost as if a real friend had been taken from them, and so, the anger directed at Negan, and sometimes, perhaps unfairly, at the actor himself, was quite intense. People often wondered, you know, how could an actor play such a villainous part? Did he, in fact, enjoy it? Or was there a deeper, more personal struggle happening behind the scenes, something we as viewers might not have been privy to at the time? It’s a very natural curiosity, to be honest, wanting to peer beyond the performance and see the person underneath.

The question that has, in a way, lingered in the minds of so many devoted fans, the one that keeps coming up in conversations and online discussions, is this: How did Jeffrey Dean Morgan, the human being, truly feel about being the instrument of Glenn’s demise? Was it just another day at the office, a script to be followed, or did it carry a significant emotional weight for him too? We're going to explore what the actor himself has shared about that incredibly pivotal, and frankly, devastating scene, offering a little glimpse into his perspective on one of the show's most unforgettable moments.

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Table of Contents

• Jeffrey Dean Morgan: A Brief Look at the Actor Behind Negan
• The Weight of Lucille: A Difficult Introduction
• A "Bad Decision": Morgan's Reflections on Glenn's Death
• The Lasting Echo: Fan Reactions and the Personal Toll
• Shifting the Story: What If Glenn Lived?
• Frequently Asked Questions About JDM and Glenn's Death
• What Jeffrey Dean Morgan Said About the Scene

Jeffrey Dean Morgan: A Brief Look at the Actor Behind Negan

Before we truly get into the heart of how Jeffrey Dean Morgan felt about that iconic, and quite frankly, heartbreaking scene, it's worth taking a moment to appreciate the man himself. He's an actor with a very long and varied career, you know, appearing in everything from romantic comedies to gritty dramas. His presence on screen is, in a way, always quite commanding, and he brings a certain intensity to his roles that really captivates an audience. He has, apparently, a knack for playing characters who are complex, often with a dark edge, but also with a hint of something more, something that makes them feel, you know, deeply human.

Born in Seattle, Washington, Morgan, actually, built his career steadily over the years, taking on a wide array of parts that showcased his range. You might remember him from his work on shows like Supernatural, where he played John Winchester, or perhaps his memorable arc on Grey's Anatomy as Denny Duquette, a role that, in some respects, really endeared him to a lot of viewers. These earlier roles, you see, demonstrated his capacity for both vulnerability and strength, qualities that would, in a way, become incredibly important when he took on the very demanding character of Negan. So, it's not like he just appeared out of nowhere to play this villain; he had a lot of experience under his belt, which is quite interesting.

Personal Details and Bio Data of Jeffrey Dean Morgan

The Weight of Lucille: A Difficult Introduction

The arrival of Negan in The Walking Dead was, you know, an event that fans had been anticipating for quite some time, especially if they were familiar with the comic books. But even with that anticipation, the sheer impact of his introduction, particularly the scene where he uses Lucille, his barbed-wire wrapped baseball bat, to kill both Abraham and Glenn, was absolutely staggering. It was a moment that, apparently, solidified Negan as a truly terrifying force, a character who would, in a way, redefine the stakes of the show. And for Jeffrey Dean Morgan, stepping into those shoes, into that very specific kind of darkness, was not, it seems, an easy task at all.

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The actor himself has openly shared, you know, his deep discomfort with having to utter that devastating line, the one that sealed Glenn’s fate. It wasn't just another piece of dialogue; it was a line that carried, arguably, the weight of an entire fandom’s emotional investment. Morgan, in fact, told Entertainment Weekly that he was very uncomfortable with it, and he actually tried to get out of saying it. "I fought it!" he exclaimed, remembering that moment. He felt, in some respects, that it was the one line that he, you know, really struggled with, the one he wished he could have changed. That tells you quite a bit about the personal struggle he faced, doesn't it? It wasn't just acting; it was, you know, something that really got to him.

The scene was, by all accounts, incredibly draining for the entire cast, not just for Morgan. As Insider reveals, the filming of those now infamous and murderous scenes took a significant toll on him. He admitted that he was very drained by it, which is understandable when you consider the intensity and the emotional demands of such a performance. It's one thing to read a script, but it's quite another to, you know, embody that level of brutality and despair, especially when you know the impact it's going to have on millions of people. So, while Negan was, apparently, a character designed to be hated, the actor playing him was, actually, feeling a lot of complex emotions about the actions he was portraying.

Jeffrey Dean Morgan, it seems, suspected that Glenn would be the one to die. He had, you know, a feeling about it, perhaps from discussions or just from the narrative setup. However, he also admitted that he had absolutely no idea he would also be killing Abraham in that same brutal sequence. "So no, I really didn’t," he said, indicating his surprise at that additional layer of tragedy. This revelation, in a way, adds another dimension to his experience, showing that even the actor himself wasn't fully prepared for the full extent of the horror he was about to unleash on screen. It’s a very interesting detail, isn't it, how even those involved in the creation of such moments can be taken aback by them.

A "Bad Decision": Morgan's Reflections on Glenn's Death

Years after the episode aired, the echoes of Glenn’s death continued to reverberate, both within the show’s narrative and in the public consciousness. Jeffrey Dean Morgan, in a way, has had ample time to reflect on that pivotal moment, and his feelings about it have, apparently, remained quite consistent. He has, in fact, been remarkably candid about his perspective, which is something many fans really appreciate. In a recent interview on First We Feast, for instance, he spoke with Lauren Cohan, who plays Maggie, Glenn’s devastated wife, about that very moment. Their conversation, you know, must have been quite something, given the history between their characters.

When directly asked what he would have done differently if given the chance to alter a Walking Dead storyline, Morgan’s answer was, actually, quite clear and immediate. He confessed, quite simply, "I wouldn't have killed Glenn." This sentiment is, you know, something many fans have always felt, and it’s a bit validating to hear the actor himself echo that. He even went a step further, reflecting that, "Yeah, that was probably a bad decision." This statement, coming from the very person who brought the villain to life, speaks volumes about the lasting impact of that creative choice, doesn't it? It suggests a recognition of the profound effect it had, not just on the characters, but on the show itself.

The decision to kill Glenn was, in fact, incredibly divisive among the show’s audience. It’s something that, you know, really split opinions, and for many, it was a moment that they just couldn’t get past. The season 7 premiere, which featured this brutal scene, drew in record numbers of viewers, reaching heights that the show, apparently, would never quite reach again. This suggests, in some respects, that while the scene generated immense buzz, it also, perhaps, alienated a portion of the audience. Morgan himself noted that the decision to kill Glenn, actually, hurt the show’s popularity, and it never fully recovered from that particular blow. That’s a pretty significant admission, if you think about it, coming from someone so deeply involved.

Morgan also speculated on the practical implications of Glenn surviving. He mused that if Glenn had lived, it "would have made both our lives easier," referring, perhaps, to the narrative paths and the emotional weight carried by both Negan and Maggie. He also believed it "would have shifted the stories in a lot of ways." The dynamic between Negan and Maggie, for instance, has always been, you know, incredibly tense, and the whole "killing her husband" thing certainly didn't help matters. Morgan, apparently, understands that this singular act created a deep, enduring rift that has continued to shape the characters' interactions, even years later. It's a very clear acknowledgment of the ripple effect that one moment had on the entire narrative fabric of the series.

The Lasting Echo: Fan Reactions and the Personal Toll

Even now, a good while after that infamous scene aired, Jeffrey Dean Morgan finds that the impact of Glenn’s death is, you know, still very much a part of his everyday life. He has shared that he still hears about it from fans on the street, which is, actually, quite a testament to how deeply that moment resonated with people. It’s not just a TV show for many; it’s something that truly touched their lives, and so, the memory of that loss, and the character who inflicted it, remains incredibly vivid. Imagine, for a moment, being recognized constantly for such a polarizing act; it must be, in a way, a very unique experience for an actor.

The controversial entrance of Negan onto the show, with that very specific act of violence, undeniably changed Morgan’s professional life. He himself stated, quite simply, that "it changed my life." This isn't just about fame, you know; it's about being associated with a character who embodies such extreme evil, and the profound effect that can have on one's public persona. While Negan became, arguably, as important as anyone on the show, rivaling even beloved characters like Rick and Daryl in terms of narrative significance, that importance came with a certain kind of weight, a very specific kind of recognition that isn't always, you know, entirely positive.

The emotional and physical toll of portraying such a character, especially in those early, brutal scenes, was also something Morgan has spoken about. He was, apparently, quite drained by filming his now infamous and murderous scenes. It's not just about memorizing lines; it's about inhabiting a mindset, a level of aggression and cruelty that can be, you know, quite taxing for an actor. To constantly put yourself in that dark space, to perform acts that are inherently disturbing, can, in some respects, be very exhausting. So, while he delivered a performance that was, truly, unforgettable, it came at a personal cost, a very real expenditure of emotional energy.

The intensity of the fan reaction, too, is something that has stayed with him. The sheer volume of viewers for the season 7 premiere, those record numbers, highlight just how many people were watching, waiting, and then, ultimately, reacting to that scene. And for many, that reaction was one of profound sadness and anger. The fact that the show never quite reached those viewership heights again after that moment is, arguably, a very telling detail, suggesting that the decision, while shocking, may have pushed some viewers away permanently. So, the echo of Glenn's death isn't just in Morgan's memories, but also, in a way, in the very trajectory of the show's popularity.

Shifting the Story: What If Glenn Lived?

One of the most fascinating aspects of Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s reflections on Glenn’s death is his willingness to consider alternative realities within the show’s narrative. It’s not often you hear an actor, you know, openly speculate about how a major plot point could have played out differently, especially one that was so, very, definitive. But Morgan, it seems, has given this a lot of thought, pondering the ripple effects that a different choice would have had on the entire story. This kind of introspection, arguably, shows a deep engagement with the material beyond just his own character.

He explicitly stated that if he had the choice to change a Walking Dead storyline, he would not kill Glenn. This isn't just a casual remark; it's a very clear indication of his feeling that Glenn's survival could have led to, you know, a different, perhaps even more compelling, narrative path. He suggested that it "would have made both our lives easier," which could imply less emotional turmoil for the characters involved, particularly Maggie, and perhaps even for the actors portraying them. The constant tension between Negan and Maggie, fueled by that immense loss, has been a defining feature of their interactions, and so, without it, their dynamic would have been, you know, completely different.

Morgan also elaborated on how Glenn’s survival "would have shifted the stories in a lot of ways." Think about it: Maggie’s entire arc, her journey into leadership, her struggle with grief and vengeance, is intrinsically linked to Glenn’s death. Without that catalyst, her character’s development would have taken, in a way, a dramatically different trajectory. The show itself would have had to find new ways to explore themes of loss, revenge, and healing. It’s a very interesting thought experiment, isn't it, imagining how different the world of The Walking Dead would be if that one moment had never happened? It just goes to show how much one single event can truly alter everything that comes after it.

His comments about Maggie not being, you know, in the same place she ended up, further underscore this point. The pain and the anger she carried, her determination to seek justice, all stemmed from that brutal loss. If Glenn had lived, Maggie would not have been, in some respects, the same person we came to know, the strong, resilient leader who emerged from profound sorrow. So, while the decision to kill Glenn was, apparently, a strategic one for the showrunners, aimed at establishing Negan’s villainy, Morgan’s reflections suggest a recognition of the immense narrative cost, and the potential for other, equally powerful, story avenues that were, in a way, closed off by that choice. Learn more about The Walking Dead's impact on our site, and you might also be interested in how this decision shaped the character of Negan on this page.

Frequently Asked Questions About JDM and Glenn's Death

Did Jeffrey Dean Morgan Want to Kill Glenn?

No, actually, Jeffrey Dean Morgan did not want to kill Glenn. He has stated quite clearly that if he had been given the choice to alter a storyline in The Walking Dead, he would have chosen not to kill Glenn. He even confessed that he fought against saying the devastating line that sealed Glenn's fate, telling Entertainment Weekly that he was very uncomfortable with it and tried to get out of it. He felt it was, you know, the one line he truly struggled with, which suggests a deep personal reluctance to perform that particular act on screen. His later reflections indicate that he saw it as "probably a bad decision" for the show's overall narrative and popularity, which is a very telling sentiment, wouldn't you say?

What Did Jeffrey Dean Morgan Say About the Glenn Death Scene?

Jeffrey Dean Morgan has, actually, spoken quite extensively about the Glenn death scene, revealing a lot about his personal experience with it. He admitted to Entertainment Weekly that he was very uncomfortable with the line he had to deliver and that he "fought it!" He also revealed that filming the murderous scenes was incredibly draining for him. In a more recent interview on First We Feast with Lauren Cohan (who plays Maggie), he reiterated his feeling that he "wouldn't have killed Glenn," calling it "probably a bad decision." He also suspected it would be Glenn who died, but he had no idea Abraham would also be killed in the same sequence. So, it was, you know, a very intense and personally challenging experience for him, something that clearly left a lasting impression.

Did Glenn's Death Hurt The Walking Dead's Popularity?

According to Jeffrey Dean Morgan himself, the decision to kill Glenn did, in fact, hurt The Walking Dead's popularity, and the show, apparently, never fully recovered from that particular blow. While the season 7 premiere, which featured Glenn's death, drew in record numbers of viewers, reaching heights that the show would never again achieve, it also proved to be an incredibly divisive decision. Many fans were deeply upset by the brutality and the loss of such a beloved character, and some, you know, might have stopped watching as a result. Morgan's candid assessment suggests that while the moment was shocking and memorable, it had a very real, negative impact on the show's long-term viewership and its standing with a portion of its dedicated audience. It's a very interesting point to consider, isn't it, how one creative choice can have such far-reaching consequences.

What Jeffrey Dean Morgan Said About the Scene

The words of an actor, especially when they reflect on such a significant and controversial moment, can offer, you know, a truly unique window into the creative process and the personal impact of a role. Jeffrey Dean Morgan has been remarkably open about his feelings regarding the scene where Negan brutally takes Glenn’s life, and his candidness has, in a way, resonated deeply with fans who shared in the collective heartbreak. It’s not every day you hear an actor admit to fighting against a line, or expressing regret over a plot decision, is it? His perspective adds a very human layer to what was, for many, an almost unbearable television event.

He specifically told Entertainment Weekly that he was very uncomfortable with the line he had to deliver, the one that sealed Glenn’s fate. "I fought it!" he exclaimed, recalling his efforts to get out of saying it. He described it as "the one line that I…" – leaving the thought unfinished, but the implication is clear: it was a line that caused him immense personal difficulty. This wasn't just about acting; it was about, you know, embodying a moment of pure, unadulterated cruelty that he, as a person, clearly struggled with. That kind of internal conflict, arguably, makes his portrayal of Negan even more compelling, knowing the actor's own reservations.

Later, in an interview on First We Feast, while speaking with Lauren Cohan, who portrays Maggie, Morgan reiterated his profound sentiment. When asked about what he would have done differently, he confessed, quite simply, "I wouldn't have killed Glenn." He then added, with a touch of reflection, "Yeah, that was probably a bad decision." This statement, coming from the actor who played the perpetrator, is, in some respects, a powerful acknowledgment of the emotional weight and the narrative consequences of that choice. It's not often you get such a direct, unvarnished opinion from someone so intimately involved, is it?

Morgan also offered insights into the potential narrative shifts if Glenn had survived. He believed it "would have made both our lives easier," suggesting a less fraught path for both Negan and Maggie within the story. He also noted that it "would have shifted the stories in a lot of ways," recognizing that Maggie’s journey, in particular, was fundamentally shaped by that loss. The fact that he still hears about it from fans on the street, and that his controversial entrance "changed my life," further underscores the lasting resonance of that scene. It's clear that for Jeffrey Dean Morgan, killing Glenn was not just a job; it was, you know, an experience that left a very significant, and somewhat complicated, mark on him.