‘The Walking Dead’ has cast a fan favorite character from the acclaimed graphic novel, Coming Soon is reporting. Samurai sword yielding hero Michonne will be portrayed by Danai Gurira in the third season of the acclaimed post-apocalyptic series.

Michonne first appeared in the final moments of last night’s Season 2 finale of the acclaimed AMC show. As Andrea, played by Laurie Holden, was about to be killed by a zombie, Michonne kills her attacker with her sword. When the camera pulls back to reveal Andrea’s savior, a shadowy female figure, masked by a cloak, appears with two zombies chained to her. The woman was Michonne, who is known for being tougher than most of the men trying to survive the zombie hordes.

AMC has kept the details about when Michonne might appear on the series a secret until now. The cable network has also kept the identity of the actress who would play her on the Emmy-winning series hidden. But during ‘Talking Dead,’ the follow-up show that followed the Season 2 finale, ‘The Walking Dead’ creator and executive producer Robert Kirkman revealed Gurira has cast in the role.

Gurira is known for her television presence on a six-episode stint on HBO’s ‘Treme.’ A six-page origin story for her ‘Walking Dead’ character appears in the April issue of Playboy Magazine, which is now available in stores.

Written by: Karen Benardello