Lauren Cohan, who plays Maggie Greene in "The Walking Dead," just signed on for another TV role, leaving her future in the AMC series uncertain.
Deadline reports she has boarded ABC's pilot "Whiskey Cavalier" as the female lead opposite "Scandal" veteran Scott Foley. The potential series tells the adventures of Foley's FBI agent Will Chase (codename: Whiskey Cavalier) and CIA operative Francesca "Frankie" Trowbridge (codename: Fiery Tribune), as they team up to lead an inter-agency team of spies who save the world from time to time while exploring the rocky roads of friendship, romance and, office politics.
Her casting comes shortly after the publication named her as one of the most sought-after actors this broadcast season and amidst rumors of her departure from "The Walking Dead." Cohan's contract reportedly ends after the current eighth season.
Sources told the Hollywood Reporter that she has been in negotiations with the network over her potential season 9 salary. While she is not seeking parity with fellow actors Andrew Lincoln (Rick) and Norman Reedus (Daryl), she is apparently unhappy with the offers thus far.
Both Cohan and AMC have not commented on the matter, but outgoing showrunner Scott Gimple said he is "incredibly hopeful" that the actress will re-sign. Despite this, he did acknowledge that a season 9 without Maggie is a possibility. As he put it, "These things do happen in TV, but we're talking."
Fans should not fear, though, as her inclusion in the ABC pilot does not necessarily guarantee her exit. TV Line notes that it remains to be seen whether the pilot will be ordered to series. If not, it is likely she will reprise her role in "The Walking Dead."
For now, fans can only keep their fingers crossed. This can only be confirmed when AMC releases an official statement or when ABC announces its Fall schedule in May. In the meantime, they can catch Cohan in character when "The Walking Dead" resumes on Sunday, Feb. 25.
