AMC has cast "Centurion" actor David Morrissey as The Governor, who will appear in Season 3 of "The Walking Dead."

A notorious character from Robert Kirkman's graphic novel, The Governor is the leader of Woodbury, home to a small settlement of survivors. The character is the primary antagonist for Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and his group.

AMC ordered 16-episodes for Season 3, which begins production this spring in Atlanta.

Morrissey, who is a BAFTA Award nominee, has appeared in a number of British television series, including "State of Play" and "Meadowlands," and he has starred in the films "The Reaping," "The Other Boleyn Girl," "The Water Horse" and "Nowhere Boy and Blitz." He recently filmed "Welcome to the Punch" alongside actors James McAvoy and Mark Strong.

"The Walking Dead" follows police officer Rick Grimes as he leads his family and a group of survivors across the country in search of a safe home as zombie hordes threaten their every move.

In 2011, the series earned a Golden Globe nomination for Best Television Series - Drama and won the 2011 Emmy Award for Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup.

"The Walking Dead" -- airing Sundays at 9 p.m. ET -- stars Andrew Lincoln ("Love, Actually," "Teachers"), Jon Bernthal ("The Pacific," "The Ghost Writer"), Steven Yeun, Sarah Wayne Callies ("Prison Break"), Chandler Riggs ("Get Low"), Jeffrey DeMunn ("The Green Mile") and Laurie Holden ("Shield").