Q&A with Norman Reedus on The Walking Dead Phenomenon

Summary

Norman Reedus joins Wired for a Q&A session where he discusses his character, Daryl Dixon, on The Walking Dead show. He admits he has trouble expressing his feelings like Daryl and wouldn’t survive a real-life zombie apocalypse. Norman also talks about contributing his input to the character and storyline in collaboration with show directors.

I. Introduction
II. Identification with His Character
III. Chances of Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse
IV. Contributing to the Character and Storyline
V. Conclusion

Introduction

In this Q&A session, Norman Reedus discusses his role in the popular TV show, The Walking Dead.

Identification with His Character

Q: Do you identify with your character, Daryl Dixon?
Norman: In some ways, yes. I bring a lot of myself to the character, and they’re very gracious with us to allow us to put our own input into the character and storyline to a certain extent.

Q: How do you see similarities between yourself and Daryl?
Norman: I’m awkward like him, and I have trouble expressing my feelings like him. If you dropped me off in the middle of the woods, I’d probably just curl up in a ball and cry.

Chances of Surviving a Zombie Apocalypse

Q: Do you think you’d fare well in a zombie apocalypse?
Norman: Absolutely not. I don’t have any survival instinct. Not unless there’s an Uber car close to me. I’m kind of a wimp.

Q: What would you do if it happened in real life?
Norman: I’d probably break into a hotel and watch South Park until I starved to death. Why don’t they ever do that in the show? I don’t know. It sounds like a good idea. I guess it would be boring to watch somebody watch South Park until they got scared to death.

Contributing to the Character and Storyline

Q: Can you discuss the process of contributing your input to the character and storyline?
Norman: It’s a give and take, and there’s not a weak link in our chain right now. So it’s a great job. And they’re very gracious with us to allow us to put our own input into the character and where the storyline goes to a certain extent. And then sometimes they’re like Norma, shut up. That’s the worst idea I’ve ever heard in my life.

Q: Are there any examples of your input being included in a storyline?
Norman: I remember mentioning to Scott Gimple that I would like Daryl to ride a motorcycle. And without hesitation, he wrote it into the script.

Conclusion

Norman Reedus brings his own personality and quirks to his character, Daryl Dixon, on The Walking Dead show. Though he confesses he would not survive a zombie apocalypse, Norman enjoys his role on the show and the opportunity to contribute his input to the character and storylines.