Danai Gurira is leaving The Walking Dead and I am sad
For the longest time, I have been saying I’m ready to quit The Walking Dead but I still haven’t done so. After Andrew Lincoln left us in the most ridiculous way, I was sure I would hate it so much I would quit it then, but I stuck with it because the time jump filled me with hope and I became invested in Michonne, but now she’s leaving too!
Danai Gurira recently announced during The Walking Dead Comic-Con panel that the upcoming season 10 would be her last as Michonne and I let out an audible gasp when I read this news on Twitter. It’s not much of a surprise really, I figured with her being in Black Panther and Avengers: Endgame that she eventually wouldn’t have time for The Walking Dead, but I’m still really sad to see her go.
I’ve always liked Michonne being so badass with her awesome samurai sword skills, but in the past season I came to care about her, and how she dealt with Negan and Judith and looked after Alexandria. She is truly going to leave a hole in the show.
I don’t really see how the series is going to work once she leaves. Daryl and Carol – the only originals – are cool and everything but I’ve never warmed to them as characters like Rick and Michonne, and the new characters haven’t made much of an impact on me.
Scott Gimple said at Comic-Con that “we’re not completely done with her” so it sounds like Gurira is another one jumping ship from the show to the spin-off films with Lincoln. She refused to comment, so I’d say that’s a yes.
I’m going to watch season 10 to see how she leaves – I hope her exit isn’t as stupid as Rick’s – and maybe give season 11 a go to see what it’s like, but I’m really done with this show now. The showrunners insist it can keep going and going but I disagree. It has been running out of steam for some time and while the time jump and the introduction of the Whisperers was inspired and brutal (RIP Tara and Enid), I’m not excited to see where it goes from here and would feel a sense of relief if they announced the end.
Here’s footage of Gurira confirming rumours she’s leaving the show at Comic-Con:
Tearful Walking Dead goodbye from Danai Gurira who plays Michonne #sdcc #hallh #twd pic.twitter.com/px8CkB55GE
— Jason Delgado (@JasonDelgado78) July 19, 2019
Side note: Thora Birch is joining the show. I had no idea she was still acting but the Hocus Pocus fan in me is excited by this piece of casting news.