Throughout the gripping narrative of The Walking Dead, we have witnessed the intense conflict between Lauren Cohan‘s character, Maggie, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan‘s character, Negan. This animosity stems from a deeply traumatic event in Season 7, where Negan brutally murdered Maggie’s husband using a baseball bat wrapped in barbed wire while she was powerless to intervene. Unsurprisingly, Maggie harbors a profound hatred towards Negan, which is completely justified given the circumstances. However, in the inaugural season of their spin-off, The Walking Dead: Dead City, the tension between them begins to fade as they are compelled to collaborate, leading to a surprising and evolving friendship.

In real life, Cohan and Morgan’s relationship flourished as they entered the spin-off, providing mutual support and encouragement. During a recent episode of Collider’s Ladies Night, host Perri Nemiroff engaged Cohan in an enlightening discussion about her experience not only as the lead actress in the AMC series but also about how she eagerly embraced the chance to take on the role of “executive producer.” From the outset, Cohan made it clear to the show’s executives that both she and Morgan should receive equal credit and compensation, asserting:

“When we came to do the show, I was like, ‘Okay, cool, you want to do a spin-off, but I’m going to executive produce the spin-off. I’m going to be involved in that way.’ And then I said, ‘I’m going to do it, and Jeffrey [Dean Morgan] is going to do it, and you’re going to pay us both this much money. It’s going to be the same.’ I wanted to go in with him as my teammate and my partner, and I wanted to be like, ‘We are people that know these roles and we’re empowered and we’re on the level with you guys.’”

Taking initiative and influencing key elements of the storyline was a refreshing shift for Cohan. She shared her thoughts on this experience, saying, “It was a really, really, really good feeling. We got to just discuss different directions the show could take and explore. This was the start of a journey that has, over the past three years, gradually evolved into something more. It’s like discovering a hidden library, where every crack leads to new opportunities and stories to uncover. The possibilities are endless, and it’s a continuous adventure.”

Lauren Cohan’s Inspiring Journey to Becoming an Executive Producer

During her initial tenure on the flagship series, Cohan faced a significant challenge when she temporarily exited the role of Maggie due to disputes over compensation. However, she made a triumphant return for the final season, during which she also starred in ABC’s Whiskey Cavalier. Her experiences outside of The Walking Dead profoundly shaped her determination to pursue production credits upon her return to the franchise.

“In my time between Walking Dead, and then when I was coming back, I had experiences where I had opportunities to do shows and not be an EP, but to have the responsibility and the workload. It’s interesting because when I look back on it now, at that moment, I was like, ‘I don’t know what it means to be a producer. I don’t know the workload. I don’t know the responsibility.’ On The Walking Dead, there’s a huge cast, and there’s a freedom in it, too. Now that I am producing, I look at it and I’m like, ‘You don’t have to think about it. It’s not your job.’ [Laughs] So, I had thought to myself, ‘If I go do something else, I’m going to go in as a producer.’”

Cohan has spent a significant portion of her career performing in front of the camera, showcasing her talent in beloved series such as Supernatural and The Vampire Diaries. However, her passion for exploring diverse opportunities within the industry motivated her to embrace every chance that came her way, as she articulated:

“To me, a lot of people, I think, want the credit, and I wanted the education. I have such a freakin love for how many ways you can move and learn in this industry — music, cinematography, lighting, camerawork. Everybody’s there because they love the thing, and then they do a different thing in the thing because they love the thing. I feel like it’s one of the most awesome things ever.”

Catch Cohan showcasing her passion in the second season of The Walking Dead: Dead City, with new episodes premiering every Sunday on AMC. The complete episode of Ladies Night will be available following the sixth episode of The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 2, on Monday, June 9. Stay connected with Collider for the latest updates and insights!