Jeffrey Dean Morgan calls out 'toxic' Walking Dead fans after Melissa McBride exits spin-off

Jeffrey Dean Morgan believes certain fans of The Walking Dead have gone too far, and he's not standing for it.

The actor behind Negan on the long-running AMC drama came out in defense of Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride after seeing people on social media criticizing Reedus for McBride's decision to depart an upcoming Walking Dead spin-off series.

"Some of you have gone WAY too far. TOXIC," Morgan tweeted Thursday night. "Attacking norm for crap he has NOTHING to do with? Melissa made a call that was hers alone. She wants/needs a break. Respect that. Factors involved that are nobody's business. Norm, who's given more than anyone to you all. Just SHITTY."

AMC announced in September 2020 that McBride and Reedus would reunite after the ending of The Walking Dead for a brand-new spin-off focused on their characters, Carol Peletier and Daryl Dixon. On Thursday, the network confirmed that McBride is no longer a part of this show.

A statement from a spokesperson explained that the series from The Walking Dead showrunner Angela Kang is set to film in Europe this summer for a premiere in 2023. "Relocating to Europe became logistically untenable for Melissa at this time," the spokesperson said.

Josh Stringer/AMC Melissa McBride's Carol and Jeffrey Dean Morgan's Negan on 'The Walking Dead'

Morgan responded to claims that Reedus, who's married to German-American actress Diane Kruger, chose the European location to be closer to this family.

"Norman had nothing to do with picking location. That decision is all about story, ideas… MONEY," Morgan wrote. "That's studio/network. Not actors. We can say yes and do, or no, and not do… MAYBE. SOMETIMES. If we're lucky and don't have contract yet. Rarely does actor have that power."

Kang had previously described the new spin-off as a "road show" for Carol and Daryl, though the series will now focus more on Daryl in light of McBride's absence.

Morgan is also planning a Walking Dead return after the series finale to costar in his own spin-off with Lauren Cohan. That series will see Negan and Maggie traversing New York City. Plus, there's also Tales of the Walking Dead, an anthology show featuring new faces with some returning franchise vets.

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• Lauren Cohan and Jeffrey Dean Morgan to star in NYC-set Walking Dead spin-off