The Walking Dead - Interview with Norman Reedus

Was the first half of the season more relaxing to shoot because it was more about buildup?
Norman Reedus: There’s more talk in the first half than the second half of the season, more action in the second. And it’s hardly ever casual conversation. Even the conversation is exhausting. And it’s 120 degrees outside, there’s bugs all over you and your scratches and your bruises and it’s sort of a character on the show. We couldn’t shoot the show in Los Angeles or Toronto or wherever.

How was the experience of doing 13 episodes this season, as opposed to doing six episodes last season?
Norman Reedus: It was great. We got to tell more stories. We got to get into characters more. Six was about setting up the world, especially the first episode. We got to learn more about our characters and each other. It was more of a commitment. I came in on the third episode of the first season, so I basically walked in, said hi and threw squirrels, right in the first hour. But, it was nice. We all got closer, and it was awesome.

Was Daryl always designed to become a regular role?
Norman Reedus: No, it was not. It was actually Frank [Darabont] who wrote the part for the show. He created that part because he’s not in the comic book. I don’t know. I think I was a little bit of an experiment, at first. I’m not sure. I’m glad it’s going well and I’m still on there.

Source: Full interview @ Crave Online