Khary Payton Cast As Ezekiel In Season 7

Unfortunately, I can see any premiere event's focusing heavily on the lineup because that's essentially, from the sounds of it, all the premiere is about. But, the Negan/lineup show, focused entirely around the huge mistake that was the most gimmicky cliffhanger this show has done (defeating even dumpstergate), is growing incredibly tiresome, especially as it's coming across more and more as the bro show, starring JDM, NR, and AL, not one of whom needs more exposure.

Much as I'm really not remotely looking forward to the Kingdom, at least initially, I do think it's garbage to be focusing one new major character largely to the exclusion of another (unless one counts the eye roll worthy elements of his sitting upon a throne and calling himself king, which are less intriguing and more just... no). As it currently stands, ezekiel is more a caricature than a genuine character. I can see why some comic fans would have preferred to see this skipped. Hopefully, we quickly see a more human side to him... and see carol's reality-focused side reemerge in the face of the absurdity.

ETA: While any hint of "balance" in the Carol / Morgan arc has been belied by contrivance and a sham outward selling of balance as Morgan is persistently portrayed as a speshul snowflake who alone "sees" Carol at the unjustified expense of relationships with, and characterization of, other, I'd be happy to see some balance where Carol drops a dose of "welcome to reality" on "king" ezekiel and she gets back to a place of some degree of hope/romance amidst the harsh reality of the ZA (making it noteworthy, perhaps, that Daryl's flashbacks, instead of the hug, focused on a couple of his moments as Carol's knight in shining armour, as I believe MMB framed it previously, particularly in relation to the prison rescue).