‘The Walking Dead’ Tom Payne On Why Jesus Coming Out In Episode 14 Is Important

Sunday’s episode of “The Walking Dead” was filled with major moments. Sasha and Rosita moved in on Negan, The Saviors came looking for Daryl and Eugene picked a side. The biggest moment, however, is one you may have missed.

While talking with Maggie (Lauren Cohan), Jesus (Tom Payne) came out. The actor opened up about the Season 7, episode 14 reveal during PaleyFest, telling attendees “The Walking Dead” boss Robert Kirkman pulled the idea straight from the comic books. Payne was thrilled to play Jesus as a gay man, discussing the importance of representation for the LGBTQ community on the big and small screens.

“I’m really happy about it, actually,” Payne told ET Online during a PaleyFest panel. “I knew before we filmed it, because he is [gay] in the comic books, and I didn’t see any reason why he wouldn’t be in the show, and I talked to Robert Kirkman about it, and he’s like, ‘Yeah, of course, it’s the same guy.’ So it’s really cool to be representing that community...”

Kirkman echoed Payne’s excitement, but said that Jesus’ sexuality will remain secondary to who he is on “The Walking Dead.” He explained that, like in reality, Payne’s on-screen persona “is so much more than his sexuality.” Kirkman told a PaleyFest audience he was “happy” to include a gay character on the show, adding that he hoped it would inspire people.

“It’s something that is very important to us, and we’re very happy that we’re able to have this really awesome gay character on the show that people can look up to, that people can aspire to, that does really great things,” the showrunner said.

The news excited viewers. Many who live tweeted the episode, titled “The Other Side,” reacted on social media. Some joked about the subtle was “The Walking Dead” worked the bombshell into he and Maggie’s conversation while others were just overjoyed.

Payne has previously addressed Jesus’ sexuality, seemingly teasing his coming out. He told Huffington Post in 2016 he thought it “would be amazing” to have a gay character on “The Walking Dead.” He went on to say that he didn’t see why Jesus’ sexuality would differ in the show from the comic books, but didn’t say when the reveal would happen.

“The Walking Dead” fans are now anxiously waiting to see what’s next for Jesus. During the episode Daryl (Norman Reedus) confronted him about Sasha (Sonequa Martin-Green) and Rosita’s (Christian Serretos) whereabouts. The pair was, of course, at The Savior’s headquarters preparing to move in on Negan (Jeffrey Dead Morgan).

Their plan hit a snag and they were forced to change course — Sasha moved inside to tell Rosita it was not her time to die. Before Rosita could follow her or turn back, she saw a shadowy figure with long flowing locks watching her. It’s was not clear who it was, but the silhouette has many “The Walking Dead” fans believing it’s Daryl, Jesus or Dwight (Austin Amelio).

Catch “The Walking Dead” Sundays at 9 p.m. EDT on AMC.