![The Walking Dead's Jesus promises fans that season 8 is \completely different\" to season 7"](https://hips.hearstapps.com/digitalspyuk.cdnds.net/17/23/1496849947-twd-tom-payne-3.jpg "The Walking Dead's Jesus promises fans that season 8 is \completely different\\" to season 7\"")
Despite an ongoing comic book, an increasing number of spin-offs and a huge (if not dwindling) following, The Walking Dead will have to come to an end one day.
But what kind of legacy will the cult classic leave behind? Surely it's not all death, the apocalypse and Lucille.
Well, according to the series' star Tom Payne – aka 'Jesus' – the show's lasting impact will be one that's a hell of a lot more profound than gore and zombies.
Talking to Digital Spy and other media recently, Payne reflected on what the show is all about to him – and it turns out it is family. Surprisingly.
"I think the strength is the show is about people sticking together and family and moving on through tragedy, which we all do in our lives," he explained. "It's just a bit heightened on the show."
He continued: "We all experience loss in different ways. In the show it's the walkers and death lurks round every corner, but the reality of life is you could be hit by a bus tomorrow.
What to Read Next
"You just keep on moving through it."
Related: The Walking Dead director teases more comic book deviations following Carl's death
Payne also praised "the diversity of the show", adding that he believes TWD's inclusivity and diversity will be remembered by fans.
"The fact that sexuality is never a big deal, race is never a big deal, age is never a big deal – everyone is just coping with life. I think that's a big part of it.
"Bizarrely, it's a family show that families get together and watch on a Sunday. The legacy of it is bringing people together – that's definitely what I've experienced meeting people who love the show," he added.
Tom has also been opening up about the impact of Carl Grimes' (Chandler Riggs) shock death in the recent midseason premiere, admitting that now the show has deviated from the comics so massively, "anyone's fair game".
"Not to have a young voice who's been there since the very beginning was kind of weird... If Carl dies, then anyone's fair game. We all definitely thought that he was never going to die," he said.
The Walking Dead continues today (March 11) on AMC in the US and Monday (March 12) on Fox in the UK.
Want up-to-the-minute entertainment news and features? Just hit 'Like' on our Digital Spy Facebook page and 'Follow' on our @digitalspy Twitter account and you're all set.
