'Fear The Walking Dead' showrunner defends black-only deaths

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Fans had already been critical of AMC’s The Walking Dead for the racial makeup of its “survivors” cast, since it seemed that all the black characters were only there to die. But now, the new ratings juggernaut prequel Fear the Walking Dead, seems to be following a similar pattern, and fans are getting fed up.

So far, three main character deaths have occurred in the show, and all three are black characters.

Showrunner Dave Erickson defended the deaths, saying that when producers were casting the series, they had no idea which characters would survive or die.

“I realize it’s clearly become an issue and it’s something we are mindful of,” Erickson explained. “But ultimately it’s trying to tell the story the best way we can and cast the best people we can. I wouldn’t want to go back and recast a character just to avoid … if it doesn’t feel true to the character or the relationship — the relationship with Alicia and Matt or Calvin and Nick.”

He also defended himself against claims of dragging the “token black guy” trope into modern horror.

“When you’re dealing with a show where you have a cast that is as diverse as ours is,” he told The Hollywood Reporter, “it’s inevitable that characters of color are going to get bit and are going to turn or die. If you look at the larger scope of this season, what people will see is that there is parity.”