Alanna Masterson will join the cast of AMC’s The Walking Dead, according to Deadline. 

Masterson, who has appeared on both The Young and The Restless and First Day, will have a recurring role beginning in the middle of the fourth season with an option to become a regular in Season 5.  Her character name has not been announced, but "there is chatter that the character might be Tara Chalmers from the comic books," according to the report.

While that rumor is interesting, it should be noted that Tara Chalmers is from the novel Rise of the Governor, not the comic book series, and is described as being overweight and always wearing different colored muu-muus.  It wouldn’t be the first time they’ve changed characteristics from book-to-tv (Larry Gilliard Jr. was recently announced in the series regular role of Bob Stookey, even though in the comics he is old, white and an alcoholic).  There is a character in the comics named Tara, but she doesn’t show up until issue #104, and is a member of "The Saviors" group.

Less than 10 days ago, Christian Serratos was announced to play Rosita Espinosa (see "'Walking Dead' Casts Christian Serratos").  The Walking Dead Season 4 premieres on Sunday October 13th on AMC.