This interview may include spoilers for the second season of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon.
The Union of Hope was clearly on the winning side at the end of The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon Season 1, but they may very well change in Season 2. After Codron spared Laurent's life in the Season 1 finale, the teenager and his adult allies made it safely to Mont-Saint-Michel, also known as "The Nest." Laurent is well on his way to becoming the messiah that the Union of Hope prophesied after being born from a walker, but after spending some time on the road with Daryl Dixon, Laurent may have adopted a bit of a realistic approach to the apocalypse.
Laurent's escape from Codron and the Power of the Living couldn't have been possible without Fallou, a leader of the Union of Hope who has a much bigger role in Season 2. Fallou takes charge as the "shepherd" of his people, turning away from the past he left behind when the outbreak took control of the world. But as The Walking Dead franchise always reiterates, the past finds a way to catch up with characters eventually. Along with talking about Fallou and Laurent's evolution throughout the apocalypse, Eriq Ebouaney and Louis Puech Scigliuzzi reveal to CBR the influence of their characters on others and the emotional impact Melissa McBride has made on the show. Scigliuzzi also answers the biggest mystery of The Book of Carol: can he solve a Rubik's Cube like Laurent?
Eriq, I feel like Season 1 only touched the surface with Fallou. He's a really stand-up guy and, honestly, if there's anybody to be in the apocalypse with, it has to be him. But does he have any demons that are weighing on him in Season 2? He can't be a perfect person.
Eriq Ebouaney : He's a warrior, and he has a group to shepherd. The thing is, he just wants to hide everything, [so he can] believe in hope. His group is called the Union of Hope , and his goal is to put all the past and bad things behind him and believe in hope. That's his mission. He just wants to spread love and hope around him.
I won't spoil too much, but Fallou has this really beautiful monologue in Season 2 where he talks about his backstory. How was it for you to flesh out this part of your character a bit more?
Ebouaney: The funny thing is, I didn't expect that. In Season 1, I did my homework and I had my own [version] of Fallou's background. When David [Zabel] came up with this backstory, I was quite surprised because I had to change [my story] a little bit. But it was pretty close. I'm a French Cameroonian and the character is a French Cameroonian like myself. I'm an immigrant as well. I was born in France, I went to Cameroon, and I came back to France when I was something like 10. From 10-years-old until now, I spent my life in France. So it was pretty much like Fallou in terms of the backstory.
Louis, Laurent has been told all these stories about America, and he really idolizes Daryl in Season 1. How much would you say that Daryl is an influence on Laurent as both a person and a leader in Season 2?
Louis Puech Scigliuzzi : Honestly, Daryl's a really big influence on Laurent. He teaches him how to be a bit less soft, to be a bit harder, like Daryl. And I feel like Daryl kind of picked up Laurent's emotions and his empathy. He's more empathetic now. So, yeah, [Laurent's] harder now, and he knows how to fight for himself and what he stands for.
You're also in a unique position because we're seeing you grow up on screen as an actor. Looking back from Season 1 until now, how would you say being on the show has changed you as an actor?
Scigliuzzi: Wow, I mean, so much. I've learned so many things about all the actors and the directors that I've met, spoken to and worked with. I really evolved as an actor. I remember the first few weeks of shooting Season 1, and it was really nerve-wracking. At the same time, I was always surrounded by all those great people . I know all those people pretty well now and they're family.
Louis, I also have to ask you probably the most important question you'll ever get asked during this junket. Do you know how to solve a Rubik's Cube, since Laurent's always playing with one?
Scigliuzzi: [Laughs] Oh my God, I'm actually terrible. I tried to learn it. I was watching YouTube videos to figure it out, and I just couldn't do it. I just can't solve it.
I only got one side from watching those videos, so there's no shame. Anyway, this season is a step up from last season in terms of the locations, special effects and stunts. What's your favorite risk that the show has taken in Season 2?
Ebouaney: In terms of location, we've been all around France. Beautiful places like Pont du Gard and Mont-Saint-Michel. But I think the walkers are so different [this season]. All the different types of walkers are pretty scary. That's the most challenging thing. And with Melissa McBride as Carol on the show, there are more emotions as well. The action is as usual, but there are more emotions.
Scigliuzzi: I really loved the set that they created when they were shooting the scene with Genet in Versailles.
Ebouaney: Le Louvre?
Scigliuzzi: Le Louvre! I'm from Paris and I don't even know what it's called. Le Louvre. The sets were amazing. I was next to the Louvre when they were shooting it, and I was like "Why don't I just go in and look around?" It was just crazy seeing it with nobody inside for the first time. All those zombies were full of blood around the pyramid. It was mind-blowing.
