Dayton Callie
“Fear the Walking Dead” executive producer Dave Erickson said that Dayton Callie’s role in Season 3 of the AMC series has a dark and ugly side. Pictured: Callie arrives for the Season 2 premiere of “Deadwood” at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre in Los Angeles on March 3, 2005. Reuters/Jim Ruymen

It looks like the Clarks are going to get much dirtier after meeting Dayton Callie’s Jeremiah Otto in Season 3 of “Fear the Walking Dead.”

In order to survive, Madison (Kim Dickens) and her family will be forced to align themselves with Jeremiah and his community of survivalists. But as the show’s core characters work to secure a place among the new group, they eventually find out how corrupted Jeremiah’s leadership is.

“Fundamentally, the question for Madison this season is what happens if you align yourself with somebody you know has reprehensible traits,” executive producer Dave Erickson told The Hollywood Reporter. “We’ll come to learn with Jeremiah that even though there seems to be benevolence to him at times, there’s a darker and uglier side to him as well, and it’s frankly racist.”

READ: Is Travis going to die in ‘Fear The Walking Dead’ Season 3?

“I think Madison will have to rationalize that,” continued Erickson. “But I don’t think you can cast your ballots focusing on one specific topic and one part of your agenda, and ignore the racism and misogyny and xenophobia that go along with that. I think that’s part of what the family has to wrestle with this season. They’re going to find a modicum of sanctuary and security, but it’s going to come at a great price. They’re going to have to get somewhat dirty before they have a chance to clean themselves off.”

In a separate interview with TVLine, Erickson added that the family’s stay in the Otto’s ranch is going to be a “tenuous” time for them, “but they’re going to find a toehold and take control of their circumstances.”

Callie made his series debut as Jeremiah in Season 2, episode 14, in which he welcomed Ofelia (Mercedes Mason) back to America after finding her hiding behind a tree. As implied in the synopsis for Season 3, Jeremiah takes Ofelia as captive, and her captivity will test her ability to survive and see if she can muster the savagery of her father, Daniel (Rubén Blades).

“Fear the Walking Dead” Season 3 premieres on Sunday, June 4 at 9 p.m. EDT on AMC. Watch the trailer for the new season below:

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