Hilarie Burton Returns to ‘The Walking Dead’ After Tragic Loss: ‘It Was Hard’

Hilarie Burton made a successful return to “The Walking Dead” universe earlier this month, appearing in a cameo with her real-life husband, Jeffrey Dean Morgan.

The actress, who plays Negan’s wife, Lucille, said the cameo was tough to film due to a personal tragedy behind the scenes. In an interview with PEOPLE, Burton revealed her emotional return to “The Walking Dead: Dead City” was filmed just days after the passing of Morgan’s father in July 2024.

“Please forgive me if I get upset,” Burton, 42, told the outlet. “I just watched it. I didn’t see it on Sunday. This was a really hard episode to shoot.”

Hilarie Burton Reveals Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s Emotions Were Real

In the June 15 episode, Negan (Morgan) hallucinates a conversation with his dead wife, Lucille (Burton). During the emotional scene, he drops his tough exterior and apologizes for not being able to save her.

Burton noted that all the emotions she and Morgan showcased during the scene were real.

“What people didn’t know is that, throughout this season, Jeff’s dad was dying. He had died like six days before we shot this scene,” the actress explained.

Burton added that Morgan channeled his grief over his father’s death into the episode. Seeing her husband hold it together and focus on his craft during such a difficult time made her admire him even more.

We had no idea when we got the news that his dad was sick that we would have to film this scene within days of seeing him for the last time. And we definitely had no idea this episode was going to air on Father’s Day. It was a lot.

Morgan’s father, Richard, passed away on July 2, 2024 after a brief illness.

Burton on Future Return as Lucille: ‘It’s Always a Yes’

Meanwhile, Burton hopes to return again as Lucille in “Dead City.” Though a third season hasn’t been confirmed, she says she’ll be back whenever the opportunity arises.

“Anytime Jeff asks me to do anything, the answer is always yes,” Burton added. “He pushes me in a good way. And I really like that group of people. We’ve been with them for so long that it’s always a nice reunion.”

As for her husband, Burton hopes viewers get to see more of the “old Negan,” adding that he has been on “a grief and mourning tour for a long period of time.”

“I think Negan is hilarious and really dynamic to watch when he’s at his worst,” Burton noted. “Lucille will continue to haunt him and hopefully pop up whenever he needs a pep talk because I like him bad.”