EXCLUSIVE'The Walking Dead' Star Michael James Shaw Wishes Costar Norman Reedus A Speedy Recovery After Actor Misses Convention Appearance Following On-Set Head Injury
The Walking Dead season 11 star Michael James Shaw is wishing his costar Norman Reedus a speedy recovery after the Boondock Saints actor suffered a concussion in a shocking on-set accident.
Reedus was forced to cancel his highly anticipated appearance at Atlanta's Fandemic Tour convention this past weekend, which featured much of the cast as fans gathered from all over the country to celebrate the hit zombie drama's final season.
"I pray he's alright, but I wasn't there," Shaw tells OK! exclusively — in between autographs and photo ops with smiling fans — of the harrowing incident that reportedly left Reedus hospitalized. "Yeah, I pray that he's okay, and I wish him a speedy recovery, you know?"
As OK! previously learned, the accident happened on Friday, March 11, and was serious enough to push back the show's tight filming schedule so that the Ride with Norman Reedus host could continue "resting and recuperating" without risk of further injury.
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While at the bustling convention — the Marvel actor's first ever! — Shaw also opens up about what it's been like donning that famed orange armor to play the Commonwealth fan-favorite Mercer, who made his debut in the season 11 premiere.
Although the costume undoubtedly helps him to get into character, the comfort-levels of wearing what many fans compare to "Stroomtrooper armor" are hit and miss for the tv star.
"It depends on the day," he says, explaining that if it happens to be a warm day in Georgia, wearing the bulky costume is a very sweaty experience, but if it's cold, "you're gonna be freezing your a** off."
He adds, "It's like living in a house with no insulation, but it does change the way you move, you know?"
When asked if he realizes that viewers rave about how Mercer is likely the most comic-book-accurate character in the history of the show, the Avengers: Infinity War actor seems pleasantly stunned.
"Wow," he replies. "It’s an honor and a privilege to step into the armor and the shoes of this character."
Catch new episodes of The Walking Dead on Sundays at 9/8c on AMC.
