Kim Coates excelled in Netflix’s hit new Western show, and his performance is the perfect reminder of how good his upcomingWalking Deadrole could be. With the zombie franchise continuing to branch out through its spinoffs, the addition of Kim Coates toThe Walking Dead: Dead Cityseason 2’s castonly makes the franchise’s future look stronger. The actor has had some fantastic performances in the past, such as playing Tig inSons of Anarchyalongside his leading role inBad Blood, andNetflix’sAmerican Primevalhas only added to his resume with Coates playing an incredibly memorable character.
The series is set during 1857’s Utah War and centers around the birth of the American West. With religious groups and cults emerging, there is no shortage of violence and colliding ideologies involved, makingCoates’American Primevalrole all the more surprising. He plays Brigham Young in the Western series, the leader of The Church of Latter Day Saints, which is a huge contrast to the star’s most iconic roles. Still, he was one ofAmerican Primeval’s standout performers, and with the actor reminding audiences of how talented he is, Coates' upcoming role inDead Citylooks increasingly promising.

With Coates easily being one of the best parts ofAmerican Primeval, there’s no doubt he can replicate his performance inThe Walking Dead, making him an exciting addition to the franchise. AlthoughDead Cityhas no shortage of villains, he is set to play an antagonist when the spinoff returns in Spring, and his latest outing proves he can still handle big personalities.
Not only was Brigham Young a complex and interesting character inAmerican Primeval, but he was also a real-life figure, highlighting how tough of a task Coates had when it came to nailing the portrayal. The fact he was able to pass this test with flying colors indicates how thrilling it will be to have him in such a lively universe likeThe Walking Dead.

With hisWalking Deadcharacter set to lead his own gang while having some nefarious goals in mind, it will be a great flip on Coates’American Primevalcharacter.
In addition,Coates described hisDead Cityvillainas a dink, claiming “He’s just a bad person, he’s super smart, he’s a billionaire.” As a result, the role seems perfectly suited to the actor who is clearly in red-hot form, and with hisWalking Deadcharacter set to lead his own gang while having some nefarious goals in mind, it will be a great flip on Coates’American Primevalcharacter.

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Therefore, mixing these violent traits with Brugal’s egotistical and sheltered nature sounds like the perfect recipe for a classicWalking Deadantagonist. Coates wouldn’t be the first actor to go fromSons of Anarchyto aWalking Deadvillain, as Ryan Hurst, Jeff Kober, Dayton Callie, and Jose Pablo Cantillo all made a similar transition. However, assuming Coates is given a central role inDead Cityand gets the spotlight he deserves, he could surpass all of his former costars and compete with the franchise’s most sinister characters, putting all eyes on Brugal’sWalking Deaddebut in season 2.

The Walking Dead
Cast
The Walking Dead is a television series that premiered on June 09, 2025. It follows Sheriff’s deputy Rick Grimes, who awakens from a coma to find a post-apocalyptic world overrun by zombies. He embarks on a journey to locate his family, encountering various survivors amidst the chaos.
American Primeval
American Primeval is a Netflix limited series that follows the lives of several men and women in the middle of the expansion of the American West. Social dynamics clash as men and women battle for a piece of the new world against rivals and each other.
