Why is Khary Payton missing SDCC? 'The Walking Dead' star cancels appearances

The actor has only mild symptoms and is 'just gonna sleep this off'

UPDATED JUL 22, 2022

Khary Payton was missing from the SDCC panel after testing positive for COVID-19 (Alberto E Rodriguez/Getty Images)

Khary Payton, best known for playing King Ezekiel in AMC’s hit post-apocalyptic horror drama series ‘The Walking Dead,’ has tested positive for COVID-19. Payton shared the update on his social media after fans were shocked to learn he did not show up at the SDCC panel.

Payton, who also has a recurring role in ABC's 'General Hospital,' is all set to reprise King Ezekiel as the final episodes of ‘The Walking Dead’ Season 11 air this year on AMC. While all major ‘The Walking Dead’ stars were seen in attendance at the panel on Friday, July 22 to talk about the upcoming episodes, only Payton was missing.

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Payton dropped a picture on Instagram while explaining his quarantine woes. His caption read, “Welp. Looks like I’ll be here in quarantine for #SDCC. Just tested positive for COVID. Symptoms are mild. I’m pretty well protected, vaxxed and boosted, so just gonna sleep this off. Stay safe out there, everyone. #twd #teentitansgo #sdcc2022.”

As mentioned earlier, Payton is reprising his character of King Ezekiel in 'The Walking Dead' Season 11. Previous episodes have shown Ezekiel experience a significant health scare, which was solved by Carol's remedial measures at the advanced medical community known as Commonwealth. The two break up with each other, and even though Carol and Ezekiel are no longer a couple, they become good friends.

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The season's upcoming episodes will reveal what's in store for King Ezekiel, who has dug out a lot of dirt on Governor Milton and her family alongside Connie (Lauren Ridloff). The damaging info, which has enough evidence to incriminate Milton, is passed on to a rogue publication, and they also decide to reveal it to the residents at Commonwealth. Ezekiel's actions are going to have some serious repercussions in the final eight episodes of Season Eleven.