The Walking Dead, which is in the middle of its ninth season, is coming back for another season next October on AMC. This is in addition to the previously announced spinoff film(s) with Andrew Lincoln, who left the series before the most recent midseason break. Per a new report, however, it seems that Lincoln isn’t the only legacy cast member who’s on the way out. Danai Gurira, who plays the katana-wielding Michonne, is going to depart sometime in The Walking Dead season 10.
The Walking Dead season 10 is coming
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Gurira was one of the last cast members still involved in the show to sign a new deal for The Walking Dead season 10. Unlike her colleagues, however, the Black Panther star’s new deal involves her departure sometime in the new season. Details are sparse, but THR’s sources indicate that Gurira is probably leaving because of her involvement in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Both Norman Reedus and Melissa McBride, who play Daryl and Carol respectively, will be returning for The Walking Dead season 10. In fact, Reedus now takes the top spot on the call sheet since the departure of Lincoln from the show. Both he and McBride have inked significant new deals with AMC regarding their continued involvement in the series. (Reedus will make $350,000 per episode in a deal rumored to be worth between $50 and $90 million. McBride is set to nab $20 million over three years.)
As for Gurira, THR initially reported that she and her team are still in negotiations with AMC. Why? Because her recent stardom in the Marvel Cinematic Universe films Black Panther and Avengers: Infinity War, in which she plays the Wakandan warrior Okoye:
Danai Gurira, meanwhile, was in prolonged negotiations with AMC that were further complicated by her status as a breakout actress with hits under her belt including Black Panther. It’s unclear if she has signed a new deal to return.
Who won’t be in The Walking Dead season 10?
Thanks to THR’s latest report, The Walking Dead fans now know for sure that Gurira is officially going to leave the series in season 10. As for how her character Michonne will be written out of the show, audiences won’t know until after The Walking Dead season 10 premieres in October 2019.
