Laurie Holden Thinks The Walking Dead’s Andrea Is Just Misunderstood
SPOILER ALERT: AS WITH EVERYTHING WALKING DEAD RELATED, PLEASE READ WITH CAUTION.
With only five more episodes until the end of the season, The Walking Dead is slowly building to an explosive climax and conclusion. A confrontation between Rick’s survivors and the Governor’s people is impending, especially after the events of this past week’s episode. One person square in the middle of that conflict is poor Laurie, and where her loyalties lie remains to be seen. But the actress who plays her says she’s just misunderstood.
In an interview with IndieWire, actress Laurie Holden sheds some light on Andrea’s reasoning behind staying in Woodbury, rather than leaving with Michonne. Before the mid-season finale, the two of them could’ve left Woodbury and taken their chances in the wilderness with the walkers, but since Michonne left the gated community (and the Governor), a greater divide is left between Andrea and Michonne. Holden explains:
She did not choose the Governor over Michonne. She chose community, a life and safety. Michonne is, and has always been, a misanthrope, and she would have not been happy in any sort of real community. I know that she’s found a home at the prison now, but she likes being on the move. Andrea was so grateful to have found this oasis — this nirvana — but there’s the expression, ‘if it’s too good to be true, it is,’ and it’s all blowing up in her face.
Holden also talks about Laurie’s connection to the Governor a person, instead of the cold-blooded monster he is revealing himself as in the latter half of the season. Even as Laurie begins to see his ruthless side, does she still hold out hope that she can change him? Holden continues:
It’s not about changing him. It’s about reaching his humanity. He was a father. He lost his wife. There was a good man in him once, and so it’s really trying to reach his spirit and who he was prior to all this madness.
As for The Walking Dead‘s showrunner turnover, Holden speaks candidly about the departure of Glen Mazzara and the promotion of writer Scott Gimple into the role. She assured fans that the series will not change just because Mazzara left the show. The quality is still there and the cast and crew work together like “a fine oiled machine.” Holden says:
It’s been very traumatic for all of us. I mean, nobody wants to see their captain leave the ship, but the new showrunner is in-house, knows every character thoroughly, and is invested and passionate about the show. To be honest, the crew and the cast are such a fine oiled machine that I think it’s going to be more than fine. I think The Walking Dead is going to sail.
After three episodes since the mid-season finale, The Walking Dead has been a bit slower in terms of pace, but with last Sunday’s ending, it really does look like the writers know exactly what they’re doing to keep the momentum of the series at a fevered pitch. As long as Robert Kirkman is still actively involved with the show, fans shouldn’t have anything to worry about…although killing off Andrea might make them super happy!
The Walking Dead’s episode 11 “I Ain’t a Judas” will be aired on Sunday February 24th at 9PM EST on AMC.
