THR: How much of the comic character’s back story will be included? How much do you know about him?
Coleman: He’s an ex-football player and is a humanitarian. He’s someone who really values human life and is going to do what he can to maintain the sacredness of that. In this hyper-violent, post-apocalyptic world, he’s determined to hold on to his humanity and that’s pretty compelling. Having to negotiate that and to what degree he’s willing to exert force and things of that nature.THR: What’s his relationship like with his sister, Sasha?
Coleman: It’s a very loving but she’s very much her own woman and is very comfortable with her convictions but Tyreese is still the big brother it’s a push and pull relationship with the way they go about things. Family is truly everything in this world. Once this thing happened everyone realized that all we have is each other. Whereas in this world it can be warm and fuzzy but we’re not really paying attention, here attention must be paid in the post-apocalyptic world because trust is huge. So who can you trust? You hope you can trust your family.THR: Showrunner Glen Mazzara told us Tyreese’s group is the remains of a larger group — where did they come from? What’s their agenda?
Coleman: They were in bunkers down in Jacksonville and came out and everybody was trying to make their way to Atlanta and the CDC thinking that was the way to go and we picked up a number of folks along the way and had our battles as well. We had 25 folks and it dwindled down. That will be addressed. When you see us out there in the woods, they’re at their wit’s end. As much hell as Rick and his group has gone through we have, too.THR: How will Tyreese’s arrival impact Rick?
Coleman: I can’t say too much, but it’s fireworks, shock and awe — which is par for the course for the show. It’s going to be a fun ride.THR: What’s the nature of Tyreese’s relationship with Carol? In the comics, they’re an item, with Michonne eventually breaking them up.
Coleman: I can’t say too much but from a personal standpoint, I’d love a love interest. I’m game for that but I can’t say who or how that’s going to unfold. I’d definitely be very much game for that or something interesting and complex where he has to work through something with his character or a sense of who he thought he was, or a reveal to some part of himself that he needs to deal with. Anything along those lines would be really cool for me.
Source: hollywoodreporter.com
