Who Is The Croat From ‘The Walking Dead: Dead City'? Everything We Know About His Past With Negan
In Touch rounded up everything fans need to know about The Croat (Željko Ivanek) ahead of season 2, which is set to premiere on AMC on May 4, 2025.
The Croat is the primary antagonist of TWD: Dead City season 1 and the terrifying leader of a group of survivors known as the Burazi in Manhattan, New York. He is known for his sadistic leadership style and his proclivity for torturing his victims.
Prior to the beginning of season 1, he kidnaps Maggie's teenage son, Hershel (Logan Kim), in an attempt to obtain information about Negan and potentially reunite with him.
Željko is a Slovenian-American actor who has been working professionally in television and film since the early 1980s. Over the years, he's collected a wide array of guest roles in hit shows, such as The X-Files, Murder, She Wrote, Frasier, LOST, ER, 24, The West Wing, True Blood and more.
He's had major roles in Heroes, Madam Secretary, Oz and The Walking Dead: Dead City.
Fans may also remember him from his work in film, including Argo, Seven Psychopaths, Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri and The Last Duel.
Very little is known about The Croat's history prior to the outbreak. His nickname – as his real name has not been given in the show – and his use of Croatian implies he is from Croatia.
He also shares that he once had a family, a wife named Mia and three children – Nika, Hana and Filip. After the outbreak, he left them hiding in an abandoned post office while he went out to search for food, but when he returned, he discovered his family had all been killed and eaten by another group of survivors.
It's revealed in the first episode of season 1 that The Croat is a former member of Negan's disbanded group of survivors known as the Saviors.
In a behind-the-scenes look into TWD: Dead City that aired on AMC+, Željko explained that it wasn't until The Croat met Negan that he began 'rebuilding' himself following the loss of his family. He said it was also when his character gained the 'determination to never be vulnerable in that way' again.
While with the Saviors, The Croat utterly idolized Negan. He served as an interrogator for the group, but he fell out of Negan's good graces when he directly disobeyed his order and tortured and murdered a young girl he believed to be a scout from another community.
'Let's just say there were a lot of psychos in my crew back then, but he always stood out as being an exceptionally insane son of a bitch,' Negan recalls to Maggie in the episode 'Old Acquaintances.'
Disgusted and realizing that he could never be trusted, Negan tried to shoot The Croat back then, but he missed and ended up shooting off his ear as he ran away.
Despite their complicated past, The Croat appeared truly excited to see Negan again years later and even seems to look at him as a father figure, despite being older than him.
'The Croat's a complicated character, because, on one hand, he's looking for safe harbor,' Željko shared in AMC+'s behind-the-scenes interview, noting that The Croat wants to 'find a way to no longer be vulnerable in the world.'
The change he undergoes after meeting Negan 'becomes a strength,' Željko added. 'But it also becomes what makes him scary.'
Warning: Spoilers ahead for season 2!
Trailers and sneak peeks reveal The Croat seemingly setting up Negan as a big bad leadership figure again – this time with the Burazi.
In one clip, he tells Negan that he brought him a gift and gives him a new version of Lucille, a barbed-wire covered bat and Negan's famed weapon of choice in the flagship series. Longtime viewers recall the original Lucille was cracked and then burned in season 10 of TWD, making her return an especially exciting development for fans.
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
15 minutes ago
- Yahoo
TWD: Daryl Dixon Renewed for a Fourth and Final Season, But ‘Daryl's Story Is Far From Over'
The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon's San Diego Comic-Con panel Friday yielded good news and bad for fans of the franchise's fifth spinoff. On the plus side, AMC has renewed the series for Season 4; in fact, production is set to begin in Spain before July is over. As for the bad news, the eight episodes that will comprise Season 4 will be the show's last. 'I keep coming back for more of these two characters,' Melissa McBride (Carol) acknowledged in a statement. As the offshoot approaches its conclusion, 'I'm going to revel in the moments as they come and am excited for the fans to see what we have been working on in these incredible locations.' More from TVLine R.I.P., Ozzy Osbourne: Kelly Osbourne Pays Tribute to Her Rock Legend Dad ('I Lost the Best Friend I Ever Had') Days of Our Lives Snags Two-Season Renewal at Peacock, Keeping It Streaming Through 2028 The Legend of Vox Machina Renewed for Final Season - Plus, Mighty Nein Spinoff Gets Prime Video Release Date Norman Reedus (Daryl) expressed his gratitude to 'Caryl's' long fans. 'Your love and support have made every moment worth it,' he said in a statement, adding, 'This finale isn't just an ending, it's a celebration of what we've all shared together. Keep carrying that love forward — Daryl's journey is far from over.' Season 3 of Daryl Dixon, which premieres Sunday, Sept. 7, at 9/8c, will find our embattled protagonists — the only two Season 2 characters returning — continuing their arduous journey back to the States, the Commonwealth and their loved ones. Whereas Seasons 1 and 2 were set in France, Season 3 will unfold in Spain. 80+ TV Shows Have Ended This Year — Which Will You Miss Most? View List If you'd like a peek at the Season 3 trailer, it's available for your perusal. Meantime, drop your thoughts on the series' renewal and cancellation in the comments below. Best of TVLine 'Missing' Shows, Found! Get the Latest on Ahsoka, Monarch, P-Valley, Sugar, Anansi Boys and 25+ Others Yellowjackets Mysteries: An Up-to-Date List of the Series' Biggest Questions (and Answers?) The Emmys' Most Memorable Moments: Laughter, Tears, Historical Wins, 'The Big One' and More


Gizmodo
16 minutes ago
- Gizmodo
‘Daryl Dixon' Lives to Ride Again in Season 3's New Trailer
AMC's The Walking Dead Universe continues to delve into the decayed wasteland of the zombie apocalypse through the eyes of its bike-riding icon in Daryl Dixon. Returning Walking Dead vet Norman Reedus reprises the titular role alongside Melissa McBride as Carol; the fan-favorite duo continues their trek through the European walker landscape. The cast and creative team were on hand at San Diego Comic-Con to preview season 3 of the show. Here's the trailer that convention goers got to witness during the panel, which brings the series on a cross-Europe trip: after heading to France last season, now Daryl and Carol find themselves venturing from England to Spain. Turns out, everywhere they go in the zombie apocalypse, things still suck for humanity wherever they still live, as the duo find plenty to fight against when it comes to the survivors they find there. Cómo se dice 'We are the Walking Dead' en español? As well as introducing Stephen Merchant as 'the last Englishman in England,' who helps Carol and Daryl get to Spain, Daryl Dixon season 3 also stars Eduardo Noriega, Óscar Jaenada, Alexandra Masangkay, Candela Saitta, Hugo Arbués, and more. That wasn't the only news out of the panel, however. It was also confirmed that AMC has renewed the show for a fourth and final season. The season, which will run for eight episodes, is set to enter production in Spain later this month. 'Daryl Dixon has been an incredible journey,' star Norman Reedus said in a statement provided to press. 'I thank each and every fan who has joined us on this ride. It's been a privilege to build this story for these characters, and we have so much gratitude for how it's been embraced. Your love and support have made every moment worth it. This finale isn't just an ending; it's a celebration of what we've all shared together. Keep carrying that love forward—Daryl's journey is far from over.' AMC's Daryl Dixon returns September 7. Want more io9 news? Check out when to expect the latest Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, what's next for the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Yahoo
44 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Dissenting FCC Commissioner: Paramount Chose 'Capitulation Over Courage' In Dealing With Trump
Though the Federal Communications Commission approved the Skydance-Paramount merger Thursday, one commissioner is speaking out against what she says has been an 'erosion of our First Amendment protections.' 'After months of cowardly capitulation to this Administration, Paramount finally got what it wanted. Unfortunately, it is the American public who will ultimately pay the price for its actions,' commissioner Anna M. Gomez said. More from The Hollywood Reporter Paramount Co-CEO Chris McCarthy Set to Exit After Skydance Merger Paramount-Skydance Merger Approved by FCC, Clearing Way for $8 Billion Deal Close 'South Park' Lives: Paramount Inks New Deal With Creators, Library Moving to Paramount+ Gomez notes that the transfer of Paramount's broadcast licenses to Skydance was approved by a vote of 2-1 at the FCC, which is led by Brendan Carr, and that she had dissented. She pointed to the 'unprecedented' moves taken by the FCC to help broker the deal, which she notes include the elimination of DEI programs and putting controls on newsroom decisions at CBS, including agreeing to appoint an ombudsman that will report directly to the president of CBS News and 'who will receive and evaluate any complaints of bias or other concerns.' On July 1, Paramount agreed to a $16 million deal to resolve a lawsuit filed by President Trump against 60 Minutes over an interview conducted with Kamala Harris. The settlement was largely seen as paving the way for the merger with Skydance. Trump has also said that he anticipates receiving at least $20 million in advertising, public service announcements or similar programming from Skydance as part of a settlement. 'In an unprecedented move, this once-independent FCC used its vast power to pressure Paramount to broker a private legal settlement and further erode press freedom. Once again, this agency is undermining legitimate efforts to combat discrimination and expand opportunity by overstepping its authority and intervening in employment matters reserved for other government entities with proper jurisdiction on these issues. Even more alarming, it is now imposing never-before-seen controls over newsroom decisions and editorial judgment, in direct violation of the First Amendment and the law,' Gomez wrote. 'After the FCC buried the outcome of backroom negotiations with other regulated entities, like Verizon and T-Mobile, I urged for us to bring the Paramount proceeding into the light. I've long believed the public has a right to know how Paramount's capitulation evidences an erosion of our First Amendment protections, and I'm pleased that FCC leadership ultimately agreed to my call for every Commissioner to vote on this transaction. Granting approval behind closed doors, under the cover of bureaucratic process, would have been an inappropriate way to shield this Administration's coordinated campaign to censor speech, control narratives, and silence dissent,' she continued. 'Despite this regrettable outcome, this Administration is not done with its assault on the First Amendment. In fact, it may only be beginning. The Paramount payout and this reckless approval have emboldened those who believe the government can—and should—abuse its power to extract financial and ideological concessions, demand favored treatment, and secure positive media coverage. It is a dark chapter in a long and growing record of abuse that threatens press freedom in this country. But such violations endure only when institutions choose capitulation over courage. It is time for companies, journalists, and citizens alike to stand up and speak out, because unchecked and unquestioned power has no rightful place in America,' Gomez wrote. Best of The Hollywood Reporter How the Warner Brothers Got Their Film Business Started Meet the World Builders: Hollywood's Top Physical Production Executives of 2023 Men in Blazers, Hollywood's Favorite Soccer Podcast, Aims for a Global Empire