The Walking Dead boss says new Dead City villain like Rick Grimes' biggest foes

The Walking Dead's head honcho Scott Gimple has opened up about the new season of spin-off series Dead City, which follows Maggie Rhee (played by Lauren Cohan) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) on their various paths in a post-apocalyptic New York City.

In an exclusive interview with Reach Screen Time, Gimple opened up about the show's big baddie, the Dama (Lisa Emery), who is a mysterious ally to the Croat (eljko Ivanek).

Gimple said: "She has aspects of other characters. You can see a dash of the Governor in there, you can see a dash of Alpha in there. But she would appear on the surface much more reasonable than Alpha - but it's very much on the surface.

"She's just as ruthless as Alpha, certainly just as controlling but a stark contrast to her and how she presents it. Also, she does make deals."

Gimple said although the Dama shared some traits with these classic villains from The Walking Dead, her backstory is "such a contrast" to the other big baddies from the franchise and "formidable in an interesting way".

"She is incredibly reserved, incredibly controlled, she's pretty disciplined, she has an incredibly specific goal and within this season, she feels like she and the city has an antagonist that she needs to repel and the way towards that is very political," Gimple outlined.

He added: "She very much has the vibe of someone in power, who has to make some sacrifices, has to create some alliances, has to strong-arm some other people."

The executive producer teased how the Dama was "pulling the strings" of multiple characters in a "very intense way", serving as an arch manipulator with everyone else simply chess pieces in her eyes.

He explained: "I think she sees Negan as like a queen in chess, just like he can do anything.

"He's one of the most valuable pieces and he needs that and the question is: how can she control Negan? But the Dama is a very smart, very ruthless person."

Gimple also praised Ozark and Jessica Jones star Emery as "brilliant" and said she commanded scenes she was in.

Season two of the AMC drama, which has already aired in the US back in May, is coming to Sky Atlantic and NOW in the UK this month with fans of the zombie franchise eager to see what happens next.

The second outing picks up a year after the events of the first season after Maggie returned from New York, with the Bricks now forced to join the New Babylon Federation, which is seeking conscription for an expeditionary mission in Manhattan after their ethanol supplies are running out due to a moth infestation and they need to take the Burazi's methane.

Meanwhile, Negan is in New York with the Dama, who is forcing him to do her bidding as they prepare for the upcoming invasion by the New Babylon Federation.

The Walking Dead: Dead City has received mixed reviews from the critics and serves as yet another spin-off among the myriad of spin-offs from the wildly popular parent series.

However, the change in location to New York City and follow fan-favourites Maggie and Negan has certainly worked in the show's favour.

Addressing the possibility of season three, Gimple said: "I certainly hope so" and joked: "Everyone isn't wiped out at the end, so there could be."

The Walking Dead: Dead City season 2 will premiere on July 10 on Sky Atlantic and streaming on NOW