Shawn Andrews on Dead City, Dazed and His Dream Music

Shawn Andrews has been in the room where it happens more than once. Most people just didn’t know his name.

As Kevin Pickford in the cult classic Dazed and Confused, he shared the screen with actors who would go on to become some of Hollywood’s biggest names. Decades later, a new generation discovered him on TikTok and fell in love all over again. Now, Andrews is stepping into one of television’s most iconic universes as Reverend Anthony in The Walking Dead Dead City, a character who may or may not actually be a reverend and whose motivations are deliberately difficult to pin down.

Beyond the screen, Andrews is also a musician. His new single Ride Like Thunder blends retro rock foundations with a modern edge and arrived, as he explains it, not from a writing session but from a dream. A music video for his upcoming track Reckless, directed by Calico Cooper, is also on the way.

He sat down to talk about the Death Squad, what Kevin Pickford would do in a zombie apocalypse, and why success for him has always been about something much simpler than fame.

Reverend Anthony enters Dead City as part of the unpredictable Death Squad. Who is he, and what should viewers understand from the moment he appears?

Reverend Anthony is not somebody who really shows his cards. The way you get to understand who he is, along with the rest of the Death Squad, is that they are a group of ragtag pirates willing to go into very dangerous situations where most people would not. What makes the Reverend particularly interesting is that we are not quite sure whether he is actually a reverend or whether he took on that identity for his own reasons. That ambiguity is central to who he is.

What makes him dangerous, unpredictable, or potentially misunderstood?

Someone using spirituality as a weapon is dangerous, especially when that spirituality may not be genuine. When we first meet him, the question of whether he is truly a man of faith or someone wearing that identity for strategic reasons is very much open. That tension is something viewers will want to watch closely.

Morality in the Walking Dead universe is rarely black and white. What does Reverend Anthony believe he is fighting for, and how far is he willing to go?

Reverend Anthony and the rest of the Death Squad are in it for the food and supplies they will receive in exchange for their work. This is not a humanitarian adventure. It is self-motivated. However, extreme characters who are willing to put themselves in very dangerous situations make for compelling viewing. The Death Squad members are colorful personalities who will scare you at times and entertain you at others. They are very unpredictable, and that is what makes them fun.

The Death Squad arrives with a completely different energy. What does this group introduce that fans may not have seen before?

Showrunner Seth Hoffman, writer Justin Boyd, and of course Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan really wanted to bring something fresh and exciting to this season. The Death Squad delivers that. Shout out to Tariq Lawrence as Backdrop Benny, Jimmy Simpson as Dillard who leads the group, Johnny Halloran as The Bear, Isabelle Van Fleet as Chef, and Georgia Lineman as Killer Kelsey. Together they bring a larger-than-life energy that adds real sauce to this season.

Should Maggie and Negan fear Reverend Anthony, trust him, or underestimate him?

In that world, trusting anyone is kind of dangerous. Everyone is fighting for survival, and the show does a remarkable job of exploring what humanity looks like when pushed to its limits. If you are in alignment with Reverend Anthony’s agenda, he is a great person to have around. If you are not, that is a different story entirely.

You began your career alongside actors who became some of Hollywood’s biggest names. When you reflect on that experience now, what do you understand about it that you couldn’t have then?

Shout out and rest in peace to casting director Don Phillips. He truly had an extraordinary eye for talent and assembled a cast that has gone on to do remarkable things. Being part of that film and that legacy is an incredible honor. The whole cast is tremendously talented, and the work continues to resonate decades later.

Audiences are still discovering you as Kevin Pickford. Why do you think that character continues to connect with new generations?

It has been wonderful to see the fandom for Kevin, especially from the TikTok generation. God works in mysterious ways, and I welcome it with open arms. Each generation seems to fall in love with this film all over again. Director Richard Linklater created something truly timeless. Being part of something that continues to matter to people across generations is a real blessing and very flattering.

Acting and songwriting both require vulnerability but reveal you in different ways. Which one leaves you feeling more exposed?

It depends on the song or the scene. With this particular album, most of the songs came to me as downloads or dreams rather than through autobiographical writing. The first track, Spiritual Technology, literally came to me in a dream. I woke up, wrote it down, went back to sleep, and the song continued. The universe was telling me to lean into it. Most of these songs arrived from the ether. Being a conduit for that and then sharing it is what the process feels like for me.

Photo credit: Tara Simon Photography

Your single Ride Like Thunder has a retro rock foundation with a modern edge. What were you trying to express through that song?

When I hear that song, I picture driving with the windows down, turning it up loud, and having an adventure with friends. Producer Matt Rucker did a wonderful job bringing it to life. When he found the bassline, we both knew immediately that it was the one. The song also features a Rhodes organ, which gives it a Doors-like vibe. Additionally, mastering engineer Howie Weinberg, who has worked with Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Jeff Buckley, brought it to the level it needed to be. It is a fun track built for the road.

At this point in your career, what does success look like: landing the next unforgettable role, building your music legacy, or bringing every side of yourself together?

I just want to stay in alignment with the blessings God has given me and honor them with humility and gratitude. Whether it is through music or acting, the goal is to bring people some kind of joy. We are in service. That is really what it is all about.

Rapid fire with Shawn Andrews

Reverend Anthony or Kevin Pickford: which character would survive longer?
Reverend Anthony. Kevin would be stoned.

Hero, villain, or misunderstood?
Hero villain.

Acting stage or concert stage?
Both.

Song that belongs on a zombie apocalypse playlist?
Ride Like Thunder. Or Thunderstruck by AC/DC — that one works too.

Which Dead City character would you want beside you during an outbreak?
Negan. Without question.

What should fans expect from Shawn Andrews next?
Dead City right now, and then a music video for the next track Reckless, directed by Calico Cooper. Stay tuned.

The Walking Dead Dead City airs on AMC. Stream Ride Like Thunder now on all major platforms. Follow Shawn Andrews on TikTok at @OfficialShawnAndrews for updates on Dead City and new music.