The past five years have been a whirlwind for Steven Ogg.
Following memorable turns in Westworld, Better Call Saul and even Rockstar’s video game sequel Grand Theft Auto V, the Canadian actor signed on to play Simon in season 6 of The Walking Dead. First introduced as Negan’s unhinged right-hand man, Ogg played a crucial in setting up season 7’s memorable opener, “The Day Will Come When You Won’t Be.”
And that’s something the actor touched base on while chatting to ComicBook.com. When asked specifically about his experience filming the season 7 premiere, Ogg recalled the long, exhausting days spent on set, not to mention the heightened emotion lingering in the air.
Those days were exhausting. It was because of what was going on, obviously. That family unit was quite tight, and then there’s these new people, you know? Literally making quite the entrance. They’re all like, ‘What the hell’s going on?’ It was very emotional, plus you’re shooting over night, and it’s long nights, and it’s a very emotional time for people, and it was tough.
But if The Walking Dead is all business and nerve-racking drama up front, Steven Ogg went on to discuss the relaxed atmosphere behind the scenes, along with the “welcoming” and “wonderful” ensemble cast.
It really is the antithesis of the show, the surviving and the intensity of it all. Everyone is so welcoming and so wonderful. They’re all ridiculously close off the set that they just make you feel completely welcome and it was such a safe environment that you immediately feel like, ‘All right, you’re excited. Let’s get down to it, like what do we get to play today?’ And this extends throughout, really, everyone — production, and cast.
The Walking Dead season 8 will shuffle onto our screens on October 22nd, while its companion series, Fear The Walking Dead, is due to continue its third season in three weeks’ time.
