Matthew August Jeffers has had an eventful week. His new Broadway play, Enemy of the People, starring Jeremy Strong and Michael Imperioli, just kicked off on Feb. 27. Additionally, he recently made his debut as Nat on episode 2 of AMC’s The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live. However, Nat's appearance in the zombie apocalypse might also mark his end.
Nat emerged as a community member fed up with leaving others behind. When Michonne, played by Danai Gurira, rescued two discarded community members, Nat joined her on the mission to find her husband. Their bond grew, especially after surviving a year recovering from a CRM gas bombing. Nat even convinced Michonne that returning home to her children didn't mean abandoning her husband. Sadly, Nat met his demise when he shot down a CRM helicopter, leading to his fatal encounter with a CRM soldier.
Jeffers shared insights into his character, revealing he delved deep into Nat's backstory, even creating journals tracing Nat's life before and during the apocalypse. Working with the cast, including Gurira, was a joy, allowing him creative freedom to develop Nat's character. He highlighted the similarities between working with Gurira and Jeremy Strong, praising their dedication and collaborative spirit.
Jeffers admitted he wasn't certain about Nat's fate when he took the role, but as he read the script, he grew attached to the character. He found Nat's death scene painful yet poetic, symbolizing loyalty and fulfilling loved ones' dreams, a core value instilled by Nat's father. Despite the emotional nature of Nat's demise, Jeffers found solace in portraying the scene amidst his personal struggles, viewing it as an opportunity to honor his own experiences.
Reflecting on his time filming, Jeffers shared a touching moment where his personal life mirrored Nat's fate, allowing him to deeply connect with the role. He found filming Nat's death scene to be a poignant experience, focusing on laying to rest something he deeply cherished. Jeffers also joked about not having to play a zombie version of Nat, recalling a past experience of spending hours in prosthetics for a commercial and being glad to avoid that process again.
Jeffers' journey with Nat on The Walking Dead may have been brief, but it was filled with emotional depth and memorable experiences both on and off the screen, leaving a lasting impact on the actor and viewers alike.
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