'The Walking Dead': Who is under the Iron Mask? Here's a look at five possible characters

The sneak peeks for season finale show a mysterious figure in an iron mask and we take our best guesses as to who may be underneath it
(AMC)
(AMC)

While the tenth season of 'The Walking Dead' may have ended much sooner than anticipated, sneak peeks for the finale have given fans much to mull in the intervening time. One mystery that's being set up is an all-new character — or at least, an all-new character look — that's never seen in either the comics or the spinoff video games. The "Man in the Iron Mask", as the figure has come to be known as, appears briefly in a clip that sees Aaron (Ross Marquand) and Alden (Callan McAuliffe) rescued by someone donning an iron mask and wielding dangerous serrated weapons.

Who could be underneath the Iron Mask? We take our best guesses. 

1. Maggie

Maggie Rhee (Lauren Cohan) is set to make her reappearance on 'The Walking Dead' in Episode 16. While other teasers have already shown her (sans mask and weaponry), the teases show her having been forewarned about all that's happened since she left. The armor and mask might just be precautionary measures as she prepares to join the fight against the Whisperers.

2. Negan

Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) is desperate for redemption. He's been desperate enough to infiltrate the Whisperers to kill Alpha (Samantha Norton) and he's a smart enough person to know that it's still not enough. It's possible that this "Iron Mask" persona is someone he wants in order to earn the trust of the survivors before he reveals himself, bringing him that much closer to forgiveness. 

3. Stephanie

We know little of Stephanie, who she is and where she comes from. What we do know from the teasers is that the survivors' expedition missed their rendevous with her. While in the comics, she is a member of a large community known as the Commonwealth, she might be changed for the television show and might have gone out in search of Eugene with whatever protective measures she had available.

4. Mercer

Another member of the Commonwealth, from the comics, Mercer was head of the guards, all of whom had their own armor to protect them from zombies. However, the Commonwealth arc signaled the end of the 'The Walking Dead,' and the show doesn't appear ready to say goodbye just yet. However, they may still want to pull Mercer in, redesign him and give a valuable asset to the survivors in their time of need.

5. Someone new

The most obvious answer is often the right one, and the fact is we have never quite seen a character like the person in the Iron Mask. Not in the comics, nor the video game series. 'The Walking Dead' may just be creating an entirely new character, one who wears a very practical outfit to protect themselves from zombie bites.

Who do you think is underneath the Iron Mask? Let us know in the comments.

'The Walking Dead' finale will be airing sometime later this year, on AMC.

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