Michael Cudlitz, Josh McDermitt join 'Walking Dead'

(UPI) -- "The Walking Dead" just got a few more live ones.

At a New York Comic-Con panel with producers and cast members Saturday, Michael Cudlitz and Josh McDermitt were announced as the newest members of the zombie show's cast.

Cudlitz ("Southland") surprised the audience at the panel ahead of the announcement, which revealed he would play the pivotal role of Sgt. Abraham Ford.

Ford, an Army vet and sports coach before the outbreak, becomes right-hand man to Rick (Andrew Lincoln). Cudlitz has been shooting on location in Georgia for weeks, but the cast and crew were able to keep his casting under wraps.

“I was laying low because [Abraham has] a very iconic look,” Cudlitz said. “It would be very easy for somebody to put the pieces together if they saw me strolling around [on set]. So I was staying very close to the hotel. And I didn’t hang out with any of the other cast members.”

Cudlitz will be joined by McDermitt, who will play former science teacher Dr. Eugene Porter.