TV

New cast members ahead for ‘The Walking Dead’

AMC’s massive hit zombie-apocalypse series, “The Walking Dead,” will return for its fifth season Sunday night.

It’s a good time to let the show’s loyal fans in on the three new cast members they’ll be meeting as the new season progresses — and a lot more blood is (inevitably) spilled.

The new cast members will make their first appearances at the end of the Feb. 16 episode — but anyone who’s read Robert Kirkman’s comic book series, upon which the show is based, will recognize their names immediately:

Dr. Eugene Porter

In Kirkman’s story, Eugene (Josh McDermitt) makes his living teaching high-school science. Post-apocalypse, he tries to pass himself off as a scientist when he needs the protection of other prison survivors. His boldest move is to claim that he knows what caused the plague that might have spawned the zombies. Eugene won’t elaborate; instead, he seeks to share his “knowledge” with officials in Washington, DC. So Eugene, along with his companions, heads towards DC in order to stand a chance at living.

McDermitt was a semi-finalist on the fourth season of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” and also starred as Brandon in the TV Land sitcom “Retired at 35.”

Abraham Ford

Prior to the zombie apocalypse, Abraham was the middle-aged, happily married father of two, a former US Army sergeant and sports coach. When the zombie apocalypse struck, his explosive rages drove his family away and they later died. He’s now traveling the US with his companions, Dr. Porter and Rosita Espinoza, looking for supplies to take with them on their journey to Washington, DC.

Ford is played by Long Island-born actor Michael Cudlitz, a star of the TNT series “Southland,” where he played patrol officer John Cooper, a 20-year veteran of the force who was gay.

Rosita Espinoza

Rosita is a beautiful young Hispanic woman who serves as a romantic interest for Abraham. Before meeting up with Abraham and Eugene, she had been offering her body to men in exchange for protection. Throughout the series, she gradually develops a greater sense of independence.

Rosita will be played by Christian Serratos, an actress from Pasadena, Calif., who rose to fame with her role as Angela Weber in the “Twilight” movies (“New Moon,” “Eclipse” and “Breaking Dawn”).

In the Kirkman comics, Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and company meet Abraham, Rosita and Eugene at Hershel’s farm after the final prison battle — but since the farm burned down at end of Season 2, the producers will have to find another way for them to get together.

Stay tuned.