Walking Dead Season 11 Star Talks Yumiko Replacing Michonne

The Walking Dead star Eleanor Matsuura discusses a Michonne storyline being incorporated into her character Yumiko’s arc for the show’s upcoming episodes. The acclaimed horror series based on the popular comic books of the same name premiered on AMC back in 2010, and follows the survivors of a zombie apocalypse in their attempts at staying alive. Since its debut, the show has managed to maintain strong numbers in viewership and expand its universe in the form of various related media, including the spinoffs Fear the Walking Dead and The Walking Dead: World Beyond. In 2020, it was announced that The Walking Dead would end after season 11, with its first episodes premiering on August 22, 2021 and its finale expected to take place this year.

In addition to Matsuura, who plays Yumiko Okumura, the series has included a large ensemble cast over its eleven seasons, featuring Andrew Lincoln, Jon Bernthal, Steven Yeun, Melissa McBride, Norman Reedus, and Danai Gurira, who played fan-favorite Michonne Hawthorne. Fans of The Walking Dead will recall that in season 10, the character of Michonne was written off after discovering that Rick was still alive and setting out to find him. Gurira chose to exit the long-running series to pursue other creative endeavors, and while many were sad to see her leave, the series proved it could withstand Michonne’s departure. Since then, other characters have become more involved, being upgraded to regulars, and the show began integrating Michonne’s lawyer narrative from the comics into Yumiko’s arc.

Now, in talking with Digital Spy, Matsuura reveals her reaction to handling part of Michonne’s story from the comics in the show’s final episodes. She says that she feels “really blessed” to take it on, and adds that the series had been building to that point without her even realizing. She also explains how the show affected her, stating that, “I think being part of a massive machine like The Walking Dead universe has been so eye-opening. It’s been so welcoming. You realize how many people love and adore this show so much. The fans that I got to meet – it’s literally changed my life.” Read more of Matsuura’s quote regarding Yumiko replacing part of Michonne’s story below:

It’s just such a brilliant storyline. It’s just giving Yumiko much more scope, and so much more journey to be had. I’m really grateful for that. I’ve enjoyed going on that journey, and it’s meant that I get to have scenes with characters that I wouldn’t normally have been paired with. You know, people like Josh [McDermitt], who plays Eugene. We started to work together quite closely. That’s been such a blessing, because I don’t think you would have found our characters necessarily working in that way before, had it not been for this storyline.

Fans noticed that part of Michonne’s storyline went to Yumiko when season 11 premiered in August. In the comics, Michonne’s daughter leaves a note on the Commonwealth’s Wall of the Lost, but in the first episode of The Walking Dead‘s final run, it is Yumiko that finds the note. With the absence of Gurira, the series did not necessarily have to keep incorporating Michonne’s story, but audience reception of Yumiko’s arc seems to be positive.

It will certainly be interesting to see what the show does with Yumiko in its remaining episodes. By adding to her story, one that was not as thoroughly explored in the comics, it is giving fans of the character a lot more of an understanding in terms of her background and growth. With The Walking Dead series finale on the horizon, fans can look forward to discovering more of her storyline soon enough.

Source: Digital Spy