BAFTA-nominated British actor David Morrissey has been cast as the Governor in the hit AMC series ‘The Walking Dead,’ Collider is reporting. The fan favorite character from the graphic novel by Robert Kirkman the show is based on will be featured in a big arc during season three. Morrissey, who is best known to American audiences from such films as ‘The Other Boleyn Girl’ and ‘The Reaping,’ beat fellow contender John Hawkes for the coveted role.

In the comic, the Governor is presented as ruling a settlement in Woodbury, a small settlement of survivors, with a stern hand. He will encounter Andrew Lincoln’s Rick Grimes character and the band of survivors he leads throughout the third season. The Governor, who is rumored to make a cameo appearance during the second season’s finale, will serve as the chief antagonist for Rick during his arc.

‘The Walking Dead’ is currently airing the second half of its sophomore season on Sundays at 9pm. AMC has ordered a 16-episode order for the post-apocalyptic horror show’s third season, which begins production in Spring 2012 in Atlanta. The announcement of Morrissey’s casting comes after he wrapped the film ‘Welcome to the Punch’ with James McAvoy and Mark Strong.

Written by: Karen Benardello