Cast your minds back to The Walking Dead season 7, specifically episode six. While on the road, Tara and Heath were attacked by a horde of zombies in their camper. Though Tara escaped, she eventually made her way back to find evidence that Heath was able to get away, though he was nowhere to be found. And that, readers, is the last time we saw the character.
Naturally, fans have been wanting to know what happened to him ever since, so it’s a relief to know, then, that Heath has been promised to return to The Walking Dead at some point in the future. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, showrunner Scott Gimple said:
“We definitely have not seen the last of Heath, period. I will say that. I don’t mean to disappoint the Heathies. He will be on the show. He will be within The Walking Dead again.”
Gimple did, however, add the caveat that there was “not a huge chance” Heath would return in the upcoming season.
Of course, the real reason Heath has gone missing for so long is because actor Corey Hawkins has other work commitments. He starred in Fox’s 24: Legacy and had an important part to play in Kong: Skull Island. It sounds like Gimple and his writers are happy to reintroduce Heath whenever they can though – once Hawkins is able to fit The Walking Dead into his busy schedule.
As it is, it seems we’ll have to wait until next year for that to happen. In some ways, this makes more narrative sense, though. After all, season 8 looks to be solely focused on the war against Negan and the Saviors, with every other community coming together to defeat the uber villain. Once that’s out the way and life has calmed down for our heroes – well, as much as it ever can – there will then be room in the story to explore where Heath has ended up.
The Walking Dead returns to AMC for its 100th episode on Sunday, October 22nd.