'The Walking Dead' Star Joins Melb & Gold Coast Supanova Line-Up

10 March 2015 | 2:24 pm | Staff Writer

The annual convention's next leg kicks off in almost a month exactly

Zimbabwean-American actress and The Walking Dead star Danai Gurira — best known as sword-wielding fan-favourite Michonne on AMC's runaway hit zombie series — has been announced as the newest Supa-Star guest aboard the line-up for the forthcoming Melbourne and Gold Coast legs of the Supanova Pop Culture Expo.

Although most of us are familiar with Gurira's work as the strong, silent ass-kicker who honestly gives fellow resident badass Daryl a run for his money in terms of being a Terrifying Human Being on Rick Grimes' team of zombie-slayers, she actually has quite the theatrical pedigree — she's an award-winning playwright with writing credits for both the stage and screen to her name, and has appeared in diverse TV and film titles such as The VisitorGhost TownLaw & Order and Hurricane Katrina drama Treme.

Still, it's as Michonne that she's achieved her greatest recognition, and for good reason, ever since showing up in season three with her de-jawed, de-limbed zombie pets masking her from the roaming, moaning threat all around her.

Freshly joining the roster along with Gurira will be venerated voice actor Richard Epcar (Ghost In The ShellInjustice: Gods Among Us), classically trained actress Ellyn Stern (Robotech), Australian fight designer and weapons consultant Greg Van Borssum (Mad Max: Fury Road) and Brisbane-based journalist-turned-author Paula Weston, though Alexander Vlahos and Steve Worland have been forced to cancel.

Don't miss a beat with our FREE daily newsletter

Further recent additions to the Gold Coast and Melbourne line-ups include Willa Holland, once known as Marissa's younger sister, Kaitlin Cooper, on The OC, now recognisable for her work as Thea "Speedy" Queen on Arrow (her co-star Manu Bennett, aka Slade Wilson/Deathstroke, will also be appearing); and, in a loose DC Comics connection, former Birds Of Prey main and Lost Girl star Rachel Skarsten is among the star-studded guest list.

All these names join an already full-to-bursting spread of pop culture faves, including Christopher Lloyd, Dolph Lundgren, Teen Wolf star Tyler Hoechlin, Gotham standout (and breakout) Robin Lord Taylor, Game Of Thrones' James Cosmo (Jeor Mormont), Buffy The Vampire Slayer and Angel co-stars James Marsters and Charisma Carpenter, original Walking Dead comics artist Tony Moore (he drew issues #1-#6), original Green Ranger Jason David Frank, and Star Trek royalty Walter Koenig, Nichelle Nichols and George Takei.

Supanova comes to Melbourne Showgrounds on April 11-12, then backs up the following weekend at Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre for its turn on April 18-19. A full list of Supa-star guests is available at the convention's website.

Tickets are on sale now via Moshtix.