Few could have predicted the massive success of The Walking Dead from AMC when it was first announced. Based on the iconic comics by Robert Kirkman, the series follows a group of survivors adapting to a world ravaged by a zombie outbreak. Although the series faced some behind-the-scenes issues in its early seasons, it paved the way for major spin-offs like Fear The Walking Dead. This show also boasted an incredible cast, including actor Cliff Curtis, who played Travis Manawa.
Cliff Curtis was known for supporting roles in series and films, but Fear The Walking Dead gave him the chance to change his career. The show planned to take Travis to a darker place after the loss of his son in the second season, but in the third, there was a shocking twist, and the star ended up leaving his role.
In episode 2 of the third season titled 'The New Frontier,' Travis is shot in the neck while escaping in a helicopter with Alicia (Alycia Debnam-Carey), Madison's daughter. Travis, who was secretly bitten before, decides to jump from the helicopter to avoid endangering the other survivors. Travis's death was a turning point for Fear the Walking Dead and showed that the series isn't afraid to take risks.
However, his death allowed Madison to take matters into her own hands and do what she deemed necessary to survive in this new world. Showrunner Dave Erickson later admitted that Travis should have lasted longer in the series, but his premature demise allowed other characters to come to the forefront. In fact, some fans believe the show's quality improved after Travis's death.
But, the reality is that in 2017, it was announced that actor Cliff Curtis would join the cast of James Cameron's Avatar sequel as Tonovari, the leader of the Reef People of Pandora. Curtis couldn't split his time between acting in the Avatar sequels and playing Travis in Fear The Walking Dead, and a leading role in the successful film franchise remained a very tempting offer, so he decided to leave AMC's zombie drama.
