Those of you who read Robert Kirkman‘s comic book series The Walking Dead have been waiting for this for a while. We told you back in February that the gifted British actor David Morrissey (State of Play, Doctor Who) had been cast in the role of the Governor, the ruthless leader of a settlement of survivors we’ll be meeting in Season 3 of AMC‘s The Walking Dead.

Now we’re given a first glimpse of Morrissey in the role:

Okay, he looks kinda tough. Knowing Morrissey’s work, however, I’m not worried about his ability to “bring it.” Robert Kirkman told TVGuide.com, “(M)oving into Season 3 I’m even more excited than ever because now I feel like we’re really getting to ‘the good stuff… Having the Governor in the mix is going to fundamentally change the show in all kinds of awesome and exiting ways. And David Morrissey totally rocks!”

He also reassures the comic book fans that the character will not be diluted for TV:

The Governor in the show is definitely going to be the Governor in the comic. I think that he’s definitely going to be a character that people love to hate and are absolutely entertained by, but also somewhat terrified of. He’s definitely going to be a very important character and a very nuanced character. We are not going to be watering him down.

Okay, we’re ready! For… October? Argh. Hopefully we’ll be getting more and more photos from the set, and maybe a new trailer and lots of good information at Comic-Con next month.

The Walking Dead Season 3, starring Andrew Lincoln, Sarah Wayne Callies, Norman Reedus, Laurie Holden, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Melissa McBride, and David Morrissey, is expected to premiere in October on AMC.