STACK NZ Sep #66

FEATURE

DVD & BD

Where is Glenn when we start this season? Where we left off last season is a very STEVEN YEUN, Glenn

What are you most excited about with your character, Glenn?

How was the first day of production? It’s happy smiles, high fives, and back to work. Everybody is here, too many. That’s never good.

I’m excited to show other sides of Glenn. The first and second seasons you got to see the light, brash side of him. Then in the third and fourth seasons, we focused on his growth and evolution. This season you get to see a well- rounded, overall fully realised person. What can you tell fans about Season Five? It jumps off where we left off and keeps going at that pace. The beauty of this show is the fact that it is a curve ball at every circumstance, at any moment. You have to watch closely.

What are you looking forward to

doing in the premiere episode? I’m excited to get to the crazy action of it all. This episode is very physical and action-packed. It is a great welcome to the season. This one is definitely a heavy hitter.

good indicator of his disposition going forward. He just went through the toughest test of faith. That solidified a hope that this world can still be good, that there is still something to fight for. There is still humanity left in the world.

MELISSA MCBRIDE, Carol

How do you handle being on such a heavy, serious show? I have always preferred stuff that makes me go to the core of the human experience. In all my work, I have a tendency to deal with the hardest and most profound questions of humanity. I like going into those questions. I think they are important. And we have so much fun. The role of Michonne is also very physical. I like being exhausted as an artist. I come from theatre. I want to be tapped out at the end of the day. That means I gave Michonne all I had.

Where is Carol mentally at the start of Season Five? The great thing about Carol is that she is prepared to do anything. It’s coming to terms with the fact that this is the way the world is. This is what you have to do now. She has come to a place of courage to be able to do those tough things. It comes from a place of caring. What is it like to be shooting in the city? They are going back to the place they were running away from. I love all the different locations we have this season.  

DANAI GURIRA, Michonne

How does Michonne feel about what Rick did to save his son in Season Four? Sometimes you have to have a brutal response. Her man did not go to that extent for her son. She has an understanding of what Rick needed to do. Where is Michonne in Season Five? She is fully committed. These are the people she chooses in this realm. She almost lost them, and she felt that loss. She is not going to let that happen again. The question is how does she respond to various situations and circumstances now that she is integrated into the group.

What surprised you most last season? Carol never expected that Tyreese would forgive her.

Michonne is without her Katana. Michonne is powerful beyond a weapon.

What has been one of the greatest compliments a fan has told you?

That Michonne transcends race and gender. That really touched me to hear that. That means Michonne is getting rid of the categories a little bit. It’s a beautifully multi-ethnic cast. Not just my character, but many characters in this show are transcending those categories. I love that.

• The Walking Dead :Season 5 is out Sept 2

MICHAEL CUDLITZ, Sgt. Abraham Ford

There are three alpha males – Rick, Daryl and Abraham. There is conflict everywhere. Do we learn more about Abraham’s backstory this season? He is ex-Army like the comic book. The rest may or may not be the same. There is a lot going on under the surface of Abraham. What that is... we will see as the series unfolds. Do you worry that your character will be killed off? Everyone is here on borrowed time, everyone.

comics will always be a part of the [television characters] in some way. To be informed as you can from that standpoint helps everyone have a much richer experience. What do you think makes The Walking Dead so successful? It is good storytelling. Ultimately, it does not have to do with the walkers. It has to do with people, how we structure society, and what happens when social norms and governments break down. We are forced to deal with each other.

Is the comic book part of your research? If we can be in touch with what is going on in the comics, even if it is not written in the script, there are elements you can call upon. That is very satisfying for the comic book readers. Robert Kirkman created these characters. The

What did you think after you read the premiere episode? I think it is possibly one of the most satisfying hours of television I’ve ever read. There are so many moments where you will have genuine excitement for what is happening. Things you want to happen, do happen; and things you can’t believe happen, happen.

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