Spoiler Warning: There are some small spoilers for those who have not read The Walking Dead comic.

Sons of Anarchy star Ryan Hurst is trading in his leather vest for a skin mask to play Beta on AMC’s The Walking Dead. He’ll join the Whisperers, a band of survivors who move safely among the walkers and sneak up on the living by wearing skin suits made of the dead.

As Beta, Hurst will portray the hulking second in command to the Whisperers’ leader, the cold, calculating Alpha. In the comic, Beta is a very large, imposing man who uses his size and strength to serve his leader. Even among the Whisperers he’s a bit of a mystery, guarding his real identity and refusing to let others see his actual face.

He is not extremely vocal, but his menacing expressions speak volumes on his loyalty to Alpha. During his time on FX’s Sons of Anarchy, Hurst perfected the strong, silent type as Opie Winston, the best friend to series lead Jax Teller, which will likely serve him well in the new role.

Beta is a significant villain in The Walking Dead with a major part to play in the upcoming Whisperer War and Hurst’s talents will do well to bring the character to life.

It was previously announced that Samantha Morton (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) will take on the role of Alpha and Cassady McClincy (Castle Rock) will play her daughter Lydia, rounding out the main Whisperers group.