Fear the Walking Dead season 7 will have “the ultimate version of Victor Strand”

Colman Domingo (Victor Strand) is one of only a handful of actors remaining on Fear the Walking Dead from the show’s first season. Throughout his time on the show, we’ve seen conman Strand play the good guy, the villain, and pretty much everything in-between. A selfish man, he’s a complex character who’s prepared to betray anyone to get what he wants. And it looks like Strand will channel his villainous side in the upcoming season 7. Speaking on Talking Dead, Domingo teased that we’ll see “the ultimate version of Victor,” whatever that means.

In season 6, Strand turned his back on Morgan (Lennie James), actually leaving him for dead at one point. In the finale, “The Beginning,” Strand finds protection from Teddy’s (John Glover) nuclear warheads after meeting newcomer Howard (Omid Abtahi), a curator of his own tiny museum. In season 7, Victor will have a new look, perhaps one that will match his new motivations.

“We made a decision towards the end of Season 6 to grow his beard back because I think he trimmed up in the middle of Season 6 … or even late [Season] 5, because he was becoming a bit more open, you were able to see his face,” Domingo said. “Now Victor does not want you to see his face.”

"He wants to be a bit more hidden, with all the hair and stuff growing out to cover up a bit. We’re also investigating with Season 7 for him to have a bit more finesse and polish because that’s going to be the ultimate version of Victor."

Domingo also thinks Strand’s new appearance will make him stand out as an authority figure. “Strand is always very concerned about outward appearances,” he said. “And I think that this new version of Strand, he’s going to say, ‘Meet me here.’ That’s what I’m looking forward to, and great storytelling.”

Colman Domingo discusses Strand’s sexuality

Victor Strand was revealed to be queer way back in season 2, and Domingo is pleased with how the writers have handled that thread. “I always love that he’s not led with just being queer,” he told Entertainment Weekly. “We didn’t even make the decision that he was queer until season 2. That was a surprise and I thought, ‘Oh, I think that’s interesting for the character.’ Because now the audiences know him to be a con man. Now you peel back the layers, you get something else.”

The show has explored this aspect of Strand’s personality over the years, but Domingo is careful that his character doesn’t get boiled down to a stereotype. “Sometimes writers want to lean into that very quickly because they think, ‘Oh, that’s who he is.’ I’m like, ‘No, queer people have so many other layers and colours and complexities and it’s not just about who they are attracted to.’”

Colman Domingo stars in the trailer for Candyman!

Finally, while we’re talking about Domingo, check out the latest trailer for Candyman, a new take on the cult classic 1992 horror movie. Domingo plays William Burke, a resident of the Cabrini Green housing project in Chicago who tells lead character Anthony (Yahya Abdul-Mateen II) about the legend of Candyman, a supernatural killer with a hook for a hand — just don’t say his name five times in a mirror.

Candyman will premiere on August 27.

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h/t ComicBook.com