Given Robert Kirkman's recent tease that AMC's "The Walking Dead" will introduce a big deal fan favorite from the comic book" this shouldn't come as much of a surprise, but nonetheless TVOvermind and TVLine confirm "The Wire" alum Chad Coleman has been cast as Tyreese on the hit drama.

EW.com reported last week that Coleman, long considered a dead ringer for artist Charlie Adlard's rendition of Tyreese, had been spotted around the show's Georgia set. He'll debut on the show's Dec. 2 fall finale.

A former NFL linebacker, bouncer and car salesman, Tyreese first appeared in "The Walking Dead" #7 and joined Rick Grimes' initial group of survivors with his daughter Julie and her boyfriend Chris. Tyreese was widely regarded as the co-leader of the survivors alongside Rick, despite conflicts between the two later on in the series, until his death at the hands of the Governor in "The Walking Dead" #46.

According to TVOvermind, "it appears that Tyreese will end up in Woodbury for the majority of the season," presumably as the conflict between The Governor and Rick & Co. ramps up.

The website also reports that Lennie James is expected to reprise his role as Morgan, who was last seen in the series premiere, sometime later this season. He apparently won't be involved the battle between Woodbury and the Prison, though.

"The Walking Dead" airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET/PT on AMC.