Michonne

Michonne Hawthorne (known as Michonne Grimes in the television series) is a fictional character from The Walking Dead, appearing in various adaptations of the series, most notably the TV show where Danai Gurira plays her. She carries a katana and has a hidden past, playing a key role in the conflict between the Woodbury community, led by the Governor, and the group based at the prison in both the comics and the TV series.

In the comic books, Michonne was a lawyer and a divorcée with two missing daughters. Her feud with the Governor is more brutal than in the show; she is sexually assaulted by him and later mutilates him in revenge. After suffering many losses, her mental health declines, drawing her closer to Rick Grimes, who has similar trauma. She eventually runs away to Oceanside, and her time away is covered in a three-episode mini-series from Telltale Games, which follows her departure and life at sea.

The television series changes Michonne’s backstory: she lost a three-year-old son named André Anthony. Her guarded, traumatized nature softens over time as she recovers and becomes more open, investing in Rick’s core group. Her conflict with the Governor stems from his attempt to kill her after she leaves Woodbury, suspecting he is dangerous and trying to protect her friend Andrea. Her relationship with the Grimes family is also explored more deeply, and she develops a romance with Rick, becoming a mother to his children, Carl and Judith.

The character has received critical praise and is often a fan favorite in both the comics and the TV series. IGN ranked Michonne #86 on its list of Top 100 Comic Book Heroes, and Gurira’s performance has been widely acclaimed.

Appearances

Comic book series

Early storylines (2005–2008) Michonne is introduced as a mysterious woman with a katana, first seen dragging two armless, jawless zombies on chains, causing alarm among the group. She saves Otis from walkers and follows him to the abandoned prison where the group is staying. She quickly bonds with Tyreese, recognizing him from his NFL days, and they share a love of weightlifting. They sleep together, leading to Tyreese breaking up with Carol Peletier, and Michonne and Tyreese become a couple.

Post-prison (2008–2010) After the prison events, Michonne returns to find the RV survivors and puts Tyreese’s reanimated corpse to rest. Finding only footprints, she follows them and comes across Rick and his son Carl. She saves Carl from a walker and joins them. She bonds with both and keeps Rick’s imaginary conversations with Lori a secret. They reunite with other survivors at Hershel Greene’s farm. Michonne travels with the group in search of safety and asks about Morgan Jones’s whereabouts.

Alexandria (2010–2012) When the survivors find the safe town of Alexandria, Michonne struggles to give up her sword, as shown in a confrontation with resident Douglas. Another resident, Olivia, convinces Douglas to let her keep it. Michonne settles in, hanging her sword above the mantle. She reflects on the horrific ways she has used it to survive and declares, “I am through with you.” She begins to relax, and Rick asks Douglas if there is a job for her. Since no lawyers are needed, Douglas makes her a constable to enforce the law.

War against Negan (2012–2014) While clearing walkers from the Alexandria perimeter with Abraham, Michonne is surprised by a man named Paul “Jesus” Monroe, who says he comes from a nearby community and wants an alliance. Rick knocks Jesus out, and Michonne helps tie him up. Rick, Michonne, and Abraham scout for threats but realize Jesus was truthful, so Rick decides to work with him. They travel with Jesus, Glenn, Carl, and Andrea to the Hilltop community. Along the way, Jesus helps defeat walkers even with his hands tied, proving his trustworthiness.

Disappearance and The Walking Dead: Michonne (2014–2016) After the war, a time skip occurs. Michonne is absent for a long period. Rick says he still misses her “even after all this time.” Her disappearance is explained in the video game.

Final issue (2019) Michonne appears for the last time in the comic’s final issue, decades after Rick’s murder. By then, societies have largely recovered, and walkers are rare. An adult Carl is tried before Michonne, now a High Court judge in the Commonwealth, for killing walkers that Hershel Rhee kept as a traveling show attraction, since walkers are now considered property. Michonne finds Carl not guilty, ensuring a peaceful outcome for Carl and his family.

Television series

Season 2 Michonne first appears as a hooded figure near the end of the second-season finale, “Beside the Dying Fire” (though Danai Gurira had not yet been cast for the role). She saves Andrea from a walker by decapitating it with her katana, which has a triquetra on the inner crossguard. As in the comics, she is accompanied by two chained walkers, side by side, with their arms and lower jaws removed to prevent attacks. By taking away their ability to eat, Michonne effectively tamed these walkers.