The Walking Dead Michonne and Ezekiel’s heart-breaking romance confirmed ahead of show exit
THE Walking Dead’s latest controversial romance has been confirmed by the showrunner. The apocalyptic drama teased a kiss between Michonne, played by Danai Gurira, and Ezekiel, played by Khary Payton, in the season 10 trailer first previewed at Comic-Con.
Now showrunner Angela Kang has detailed the impact the budding relationship will have on Michonne’s story arc in the run up to her departure.
Shooting down conspiracy theories the clip was part of a dream sequence or fantasy, she explained that Ezekiel would be moving on from his troubled romance with Carol (Melissa McBride) with Michonne by his side.
Meanwhile Michonne has been struggling to find closure in the wake of Rick's death - an act of self-sacrifice which saw him blow up the bridge he was stood on to prevent walker overrunning his community - so it takes a lot for her to open up emotionally.
“We are seeing a moment. This really does happen,” Angela told TVLine.
“The characters have always had a respect for each other. They like each other. [And their relationship] feeds into the journeys they’re on this season.”
However, she stressed that the path wouldn’t be plain-sailing for the pair, which given Danai’s imminent exit, could mean tragedy is on the horizon.
Potential heartbreak aside, Khary joked on spin-off show The Talking Dead that the filming process was anything but romantic.
During the special preview episode, he explained that he and Danai are good friends, which made generating chemistry a little awkward.
“I think I actually kissed Danai on the lips twice, it was mostly just upper nose,” he said.
“We’re too brotherly-sisterly for this thing.
“It was just very awkward, so many times.”
The comments come after it was warned that Michonne’s exit would have “fallout and emotional consequences.”
Most read in TV and Showbiz
Nonetheless, Angela promised: "We'll also get to showcase good, old-fashioned Michonne being a bad***.”
Suffice to say there'll be plenty of action to break up the flirting, then?
The Walking Dead season 10 kicks off on 6 Oct on AMC in the US, and 7 Oct on Fox in the UK.