Danai Gurira is set to depart “The Walking Dead” after returning for a limited number of episodes next season, TheWrap has learned.
Gurira has portrayed the katana-wielding Michonne on the AMC zombie drama since Season 3. She has since risen to become one of the show’s main players, with Michonne becoming Rick’s main love interest and succeeding him as leader of Alexandria following his death.
She is set to appear in a handful of final episodes dispersed throughout the recently announced 10th season, and sources say she could potentially appear in the spinoff film series alongside Lincoln. AMC declined to comment.
Her exit follows the departure of series star Andrew Lincoln last year and the loss of a number of other major cast members across recent seasons, including Lauren Cohan, Steven Yeun and Chandler Riggs.
Gurira’s career has exploded since she first started on “The Walking Dead” in 2012. Last year, she starred in Marvel’s “Black Panther,” later reprising her character with appearances in last summer’s “Avengers: Infinity War” and this year’s follow-up “Avengers: Endgame.” A “Black Panther” sequel is also set to begin production sometime later in 2019 or in early 2020.
In addition, Gurira’s career as a playwright has earned a number of accolades, including six Tony Award nominations for her 2016 play “Eclipsed,” starring her “Black Panther” co-star Lupita Nyong’o.
The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news.