'Walking Dead' Season 4 Casting News: 'Wire' Actor Larry Gilliard Jr. Lands Role of Bob Stookey in Upcoming 2013 and 2014 Episodes, Rumors or Rick's Death?

Season 3 of AMC's "The Walking Dead" might have just come to a bloody conclusion, but season 4, airing in October of 2013, is already in pre-production and casting is moving along nicely. The series has just picked up another actor from one of television's most iconic shows, "The Wire." Lawrence "Larry" Gillard Jr. from the HBO crime drama is set to join the post-apocalyptic show's next season as Bob Stookey, a former Army medic who winds up becoming a key character for the Governor.

In the comics that the show is based on, Bob Stookey is a loner who is haunted by his past. He will be a regular character as he joins up with the devious Governor. In the comic books, Bob was the Woodbury town drunk who was responsible for the Governor's life after Michonne tortured him. Clearly, Gillard will be playing a pivotal role that will most likely be a little similar to the comic book character. Perhaps the alcoholic part.

There are also some rumors floating around about Rick Grimes' role as leader coming to an end, specifically because he gets killed off! "The Walking Dead" creator, Robert Kirkman, was answering fans' questions on the AMC blog a couple of weeks ago and hinted at the possibility.

"We've been saying that no one is safe on this show, and I wouldn't rule out seeing the death of Rick Grimes at almost any point." 

"I will say that the dynamic between Rick and Carl is going to be a central focus of the season, and it is going to change in some startling and interesting ways," he said.

So with Rick possibly dying off, who will become the leader?

"I think seeing Daryl or Maggie or Glenn picking up a larger leadership role in the group could pose some interesting possibilities," Kirkman said.