Hilarie Burton Brings Kids to Walking Dead: Dead City Set
Inside the exclusive photo journey as her children shadow dad, explore makeup hair and sfx
Image: Instagram
Hilarie Burton recently invited fans into a private family excursion on the set of AMC’s newest The Walking Dead spin-off, Dead City. In a heartfelt Instagram post, the One Tree Hill alum shared how her son Gus Morgan eagerly shadowed dad Jeffrey Dean Morgan for a day, exploring everything from director Michael Satrazemis’s chair to the makeup trailer and special effects bay.
A Family Affair On The Set
Last summer, Burton and Morgan welcomed their children to work, turning a routine shooting schedule into a memorable adventure. “As much as I love going to work with @jeffreydeanmorgan, no one loves shadowing dad more than Gus Morgan,” Burton wrote, tagging her husband and show director @michaelsatrazemis. Fans got a glimpse of Gus peppering the assistant director team with questions about camera angles and scene choreography.
Behind-the-scenes Glimpses
Though Burton didn’t post photos of every crew member, she gave shout-outs to key collaborators. Hair and makeup artist Vincent Gideon (@vincentgideon3) received praise for “the glow ups you gave the both of us,” while special effects studio Blood Orphan (@bloodorphan) was thanked for bringing Dead City’s eerie world to life. Burton’s captions added texture: “We miss you! George may have been sad that brother cut his hair, but Gus loved it.”
Moments In The Makeup Trailer
One of the standout images features Gus under the hair and makeup lights, grinning as stylists transform his look. Burton noted that her younger son, George, sat out this styling session, but Gus couldn’t get enough of the process. The family’s joy was palpable as they immersed themselves in the creative chaos that defines a major television production.
Inside The Walking Dead: Dead City
The Walking Dead: Dead City, which premiered on AMC in June, follows former villain-turned-antihero Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) and Maggie (Lauren Cohan) on a mission through post-apocalyptic Manhattan. Directed in part by Michael Satrazemis, the series spans 10 episodes and adds fresh narratives to the long-running franchise. Burton’s cameo appearance behind the camera underscores her evolving relationship with the show, transitioning from guest star in past seasons to supportive on-set director’s family.
A Budding Young Actor
Burton has also spotlighted Gus’s growing passion for performance. Earlier this year, she shared on Instagram how Gus was inducted into his high school’s Thespian Society, captioning, “He thinks I’m taking a picture of the peonies. This kid was at the senior awards ceremony… Pretty cool deal for a freshman. Watch out world. Gus Morgan (who still has ZERO social media) is gonna dazzle you.” This glimpse of her son’s extracurricular success adds depth to the Instagram story, showing a proud mother celebrating milestones on and off screen.
From Guest Star To On-set Mom
Burton’s familiarity with The Walking Dead universe runs deep. In 2014, she portrayed Dr. Denise Cloyd over three episodes of the original series, earning praise for her nuanced performance. That early experience clearly paved the way for this family-friendly set visit, where Burton stepped behind the scenes to support both her husband’s lead role and the creative forces crafting the spin-off.
Reaction From Cast And Fans
Since her post went live, comments have flooded in from followers and co-stars alike. Lauren Cohan, who stars opposite Jeffrey Dean Morgan, replied with heart emojis, while director Michael Satrazemis commented, “Love having your whole crew around.” Other fans noted how special it was to see a Hollywood marriage and family so seamlessly integrated with a high-profile production.
Across each photo and caption, themes of mentorship, creative collaboration, and the simple joy of spending a day at work with loved ones shine through. For Hilarie Burton, known for her breakout role on One Tree Hill and versatile turns on White Collar and other series, this set visit blends personal and professional chapters into a single snapshot.
In an era when many star families share behind-the-scenes stories using hashtags like #TakeYourKidsToWorkDay, Burton’s post stands out for its warmth and authenticity. Whether it’s stepping into a director’s chair, meeting the hair department, or marveling at special effects, the Morgans turned a day at work into a lasting memory—and fans can’t wait to see more.
Fans eager for further behind-the-scenes peeks can follow Burton’s Instagram handle @hilarieburton, where she regularly posts family updates, career news, and candid moments that bridge her roles as actor, director, and mom. Meanwhile, viewers can catch new episodes of Dead City streaming weekly on AMC and AMC+. With its mix of family fun and intense storytelling, this spin-off promises to keep both longtime Walking Dead enthusiasts and new viewers hooked.
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