EXCLUSIVE – The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon stars admit their fears about working with ‘intimidating’ Norman Reedus… before discovering ‘badass’ screen icon is really a ‘marshmallow’

The actors starring in the new Walking Dead spin-off: Daryl Dixon have opened up about his fears at the prospect of working with on-screen ‘intimidating’ ‘badass’ Norman Reedus.

Norman, 54, has played the role of crossbow-wielding Daryl Dixon in the post-apocalyptic horror drama series since it began in 2010, and fans were thrilled when it was confirmed he would be getting his own show.

But Louis Puech Scigliuzzi, who takes on the role of Laurent in the new AMC series, has revealed that he didn’t really know who Norman was when he first met him.

During an interview with the press, including DailyMail.com, Louis said: “So, you know, Norman Reedus is a world famous person, he is a very nice person, and the first time I met him was at the audition.

“So I think it was the third time I went there to try it out and I saw Norman. I didn’t really know who he was at the time. But I knew my father did. And he was very nice to me and we talked for a few hours. And you know, Norman is intimidating, he’s a tough guy, you’d hate to mess with him, but he’s actually so cool.”

Louis Puech Scigliuzzi (right) described 54-year-old Norman as ‘intimidating’ but also as a ‘marshmallow’

Louis plays the role of orphan Laurent in the new series, which is set in France

Louis then joked: ‘You could even describe it as a marshmallow… it’s crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, if you know what I mean!’

Romain Levi, who plays Codron in the new series, agreed with Louis and admitted he also felt ‘intimidated’ by father-of-two Norman as he was a big fan of the original series.

“I can be shy in my life, so to see him like that is really something you know,” he explained. ‘I watched so many episodes and suddenly I saw him in real life. But then again, he’s so nice. Truly, this kindness gave me so much confidence.

“And actually it’s not just Norman, it’s this team that has all been so nice, we really all work together, and that feeling helped me to be immediately focused on the character and the work and to let go.

“But yeah, Norman deserves so much where he is now. He is such a professional actor, such a brilliant actor, he is an amazing and beautiful human being. So yes, completely deserved in my opinion,” Romain said.

French star Anne Charrier echoed those sentiments, adding: “I completely agree with what the boys said. You know, I was very impressed at first when I knew I was going to meet him, but then he walks into the room and apart from the charisma he has, he’s so easy to get along with.”

The actress, who plays Genet on the show, continued: “He makes you feel comfortable very easily, and you start talking about things and life and friends, and that’s it, you know, it’s very easy.’

Norman himself has not given any interviews about the new series due to the ongoing SAG-AFRTA strike, but fans will no doubt be happy to see him back on their television screens.

Louis has admitted that he didn’t really know who Norman was when he first met him

French actor Romain Levi takes on the role of Codron in the new AMC series

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon was renewed for a second season before the first season even aired

The spin-off begins with Daryl washing up in France as he struggles to figure out how he got there and why. The series follows his journey through a fractured but resilient France as he hopes to find a way back home.

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon has already been renewed for a second season and was recently given the green light to resume production despite the strikes.

AMC Networks has reached interim agreements for The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live and Interview With the Vampire, allowing all three shows to resume filming, according to Deadline.

The agreements are said to be specific to just those three shows, and not a “blanket agreement” covering every show on AMC Networks.

AMC Networks confirmed the agreements to Deadline, but did not reveal any further details.

While numerous interim agreements have been signed since SAG-AFTRA’s July 14 strike, these agreements are the largest to date.

The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon airs Sunday, September 10 at 9pm ET on AMC and AMC+.