Ted Sutherland, who plays Percy on The Walking Dead: World Beyond, talks about acting alongside Scott Adsit, why Percy pushes people's buttons and what was behind the decision to go back for Iris.

Q: How much did you know about Percy's arc at the beginning of the season?

A: I had absolutely no idea. I was just coming off of some other job. I was moving my stuff from New York and I was like, "I don't really know where I'm going to go" and was putting my stuff in a storage facility. And then I got the call and they were like, "Can you be in Virginia? Tomorrow?" and I was like, "Yeah, I actually can!" But I thought I would just be kind of three [episodes] and out and there was something kind of exciting about that, but I'm also very glad it went the way it did.

Q: What was it like working with Scott Adsit?

A: I think he's brilliant. You'll have to stop me if I go on too long. But I really think he's so sharp. And he has this quality in an actor that I admire over like anything else is that he's got the mind of a writer and he's got the confidence to express that. And he's just so brilliantly funny. I mean, there was a scene we shot in 107. We were just in the background of the scene – and I like to stay pretty focused and he does too – but he was ad-libbing stuff that was just cracking me up. And I was so glad that the shot was just like on our legs or something – that was the only part that you can see. If you could see the rest of me, I was dying. So I love him. I really think he's brilliant. I hope I said that to him and, if I didn't, maybe he'll read this.

Q: Why do you think Percy pushed Hope so hard to reveal the worst thing she's ever done during Truth or Dare?

A: I think Percy's a button pusher. You know, he wants to push people as far as they can go and see if they'll come back. He wants to see if they'll accept him, if they'll take him in, love him still or whatever... it's all just seeing how far you can make people go and have them come back.

Q: Do you think Percy enjoyed being part of a big crew?

A: Absolutely. Yeah. I think it's what he's always kind of wanted. He wants to be accepted. He wants to belong. He wants to be part of something bigger than himself, I guess. Yeah, I think that's why he comes back for Iris ultimately. He wants to be a part of something. He's been alone for so long and, whether you think you like it or not, being a part of a group or being a part of something is better than being alone.

Q: You just alluded to Percy and Tony coming back for Iris and everyone else in Episode 106. Do you think being part of something bigger was the main reason?

A: I think that's the thrust of it, but I also think – and maybe you've had a similar experience – but I know that, in my life, there have been one or two times when people have been real nice to me and I didn't really know why. And you want to protect those people. You want to be there for those people and you want to do everything you can for them because they're a real gift. I think that's what Iris is to Percy, as a person that's really extended him this great kindness and you've got to wonder why. I think he sees that. He recognizes it and wants to protect it.

Q: Can you describe the connection between Percy and Iris?

A: I mean, we've yet to see how it kind of plays out. I think, in 107, it starts to get a little romantic. Who knows how it develops? I think it's really interesting. It certainly comes from an emotional place.

Q: What was it like working with so many young people on set?

A: I kind of intercepted them at a really interesting time for the young people in the cast, or all of them actually. I came in halfway through the season, and I think one of my first days on set they were just getting ready to go to Comic-Con. So they were kind of getting into the hype of the show and they were all very excited – and this is going to sound weird – but it was cool to see, on the outside, to be able to observe it. It's really exciting. It's such an exciting moment to be able to launch a show and have all the excitement around it and go to Comic-Con and do all that stuff. I was having a great time, and I was hoping that they were taking it in and enjoying it.

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