At ‘The Walking Dead’ Comic-Con panel in San Diego (Friday, 18th), Danai Gurira emotionally announced that season 10 will be her last on the series. This confirmed news that was released back in February, that Danai would only be appearing in a handful of episodes, as Michonne, spread throughout the season.
“I can confirm this is the last season I’ll be on this amazing TV show as Michonne. I would just like to say this has been one of the purest joys in my life. I am very very thankful for the experience I’ve had in ways that I can’t even express right now. My heart does not leave… it doesn’t ever end, the connection between us never ends. It was a very difficult decision. It was about my calling and other things I feel called to, as a creator of work. All I’m filled with is a lot of pain about leaving and a lot of gratitude and to all of you, I love you guys. The Walking Dead family is forever.”
#ThankYouDanai#TWD #SDCC pic.twitter.com/1mKCrPA2t7
— The Walking Dead (@WalkingDead_AMC) July 19, 2019
For the past eight years, Danai has played a heroic zombie killer, with more bad-ass moments than we can count. She has been a true idol to women and young girls all over the world and we’re sure that she will continue that legacy wherever she goes next.
Angela Kang, show runner of TWD had a few heart-warming words to say about Danai:
“We will miss the hell out of her. Danai’s importance to the show can not be overstated, the mark she’s left, the excellence she brings every day, the way her professionalism and passion… It’s been a remarkable journey. It’s been remarkable seeing her spread her wings out in the world as well. On the writing side, we take the responsibility very serious. It’s important to the fans and to us. When we worked on the exit for Andy, we took it just as seriously. We want to do right by this incredible actress and this story. I hope we haven’t screwed it up. We put her through paces this year. She’s a spectacular actress. She brought her A++ game, as she always does. I’m very excited to share what she’s doing.”
So, what is left to come for Michonne? What will her final story look like? The trailer for season 10 shows us brief glimpses in to what the future has in store, including her being seen wielding Negan’s baseball bat, Lucille, as well as sparks flying with her new love interest, Ezekiel, as we see them sharing a kiss.
During Friday’s panel, Danai allowed the audience a look to what the future has in store for Michonne:
“The healing she started to find last season because of her very kick-ass daughter and her awesome friend Siddiq gives her a responsibility now. She’s opening up again. Healing involves vulnerability and involves taking on responsibility for so many people. Michonne protects to the end. Stepping in to that next phase of what it looks like to open up again? That’s what it’s about. How does she carry these people the way she wants to, and lean in on amazing folks?”
Although Danai’s departure will be a massive change to The Walking Dead, it is also no surprise, as over the past two years, she has broken out in to a bigger star than she has already become. With Black Panther releasing in 2018 being a massive success, she then reprised her role as Okoye in Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Gurira is now currently adapting Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie’s Americanah in to a mini-series that she will be producing, alongside Nyong’o.
Watch the trailer for season 10 of ‘The Walking Dead’ here:
What do you think to the departure of Danai Gurira? What would you like to see for her future as Michonne on ‘The Walking Dead’?