David Morrissey bugged by the heat

David Morrissey has confessed he struggled to cope with the stifling heat of the Deep South while making The Walking Dead.

The State Of Play star joins the cast of the hit US TV show, about a small town community trying to survive a zombie apocalypse, filmed on location in Atlanta, Georgia.

David said: "The elements are tough, but the people aren't. The conditions are challenging, it's hot, it's buggy, it's humid, but when you're doing a show about an apocalyptic set of circumstances, the heat and bugs really add to that."

The 48-year-old actor joins fellow Brit Andrew Lincoln, who stars as sheriff's deputy Rick Grimes, playing new character The Governor, who helps his town barricade out the zombies.

David said: "They're both very strong leaders in different communities and it's about whether they can live together in this world. Around them is this terrible, challenging landscape, so it's about how they negotiate themselves through that."

Meanwhile, Andrew is delighted to be working with David.

He said: "I'm thrilled there's a fellow Brit now having to do a twangy southern accent - bring it on!"

::The new series of The Walking Dead starts on FX on Friday October 19 2012