The latest episode of The Walking Dead has lined up a major character for an exit later this season.
Season 10 episode “What It Always Is” upped the gore element for an outing that caught up with a newly escaped Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) beyond the walls of Alexandria, but it was a quieter character moment that struck a chord with viewers.
*Major spoilers follow – you have been warned*
Near the beginning of the episode, Ezekiel (Khary Payton) can be seen coughing and, later on, when Siddiq (Avi Nash) questions him about his illness, he removes a scarf from around his neck to reveal a large lump. He has thyroid cancer.
Siddiq asks him how long he has known about it for and Ezekiel replies: “A month.”
Ezekiel tells Siddiq he knows it is cancer as his grandfather and father went through the same thing.
“I know what it is. Growing up, my grandfather went through it and my father. The pain, coughing, swelling – I watched them fight it and win. Did you know thyroid cancer has a 98 per cent survival rate? Different times. Times of sorcery and witchcraft. Chemo, iodine radiation therapy, thyroidectomies.”
This is the first time we have seen a character hit with a major non-walker related disease since the beginning of the show.
It was reported earlier this year that Payton was leaving the show in either the ninth or tenth season. His potential exit is said to be the decision of the writers and not Payton, who has been vocal about wanting to remain on the show.
In the comics, his character is killed by Whisperers leader Alpha, who is played by Samantha Morton.
Black Panther star Danai Gurira, who has starred as Michonne since season three, will depart the series in season 10.
The Walking Dead airs on Mondays at 9pm on FOX in the UK. The new episode is now available to stream on NOW TV.
