Mahina Napoleon on Her Character's Evolution in The Walking Dead: Dead City Season 2
interview
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interview ✦
When The Walking Dead: Dead City first hit screens, it plunged viewers into a walker-ravaged Manhattan, where survival hinges on uneasy alliances and raw grit. Among the chaos, Mahina Napoleon emerged as a revelation, bringing to life Ginny—a quiet survivor whose story gripped fans from the start. Known for her breakout role on NCIS: Hawaii, Napoleon traded sunlit shores for the franchise’s dark, urban sprawl, delivering a Season 1 performance that stunned with its depth.
The Walking Dead: Dead City (Season 2) | AMC and AMC+
Largely nonverbal, Napoleon channeled Ginny’s fear, loss, and resilience through haunting expressions and subtle gestures, crafting a character who spoke volumes without a word. Anchored to Jeffrey Dean Morgan’s Negan in a bond both tender and tense, her arc culminated in a finale twist that gave Ginny her voice—leaving audiences clamoring for what’s next. And as the AMC series returns for Season 2, the stakes are higher than ever.
Now, with her character diving deeper into the chaos, Napoleon’s journey promises to blend raw emotion with the quiet power, cementing her as a force in this brutal yet captivating world.
The Walking Dead: Dead City (Season 2) | AMC and AMC+
Season 1 of Dead City left fans hooked by Ginny’s journey, especially now that she’s starting to get more comfortable in her chaotic surroundings. How does it feel to step into Season 2 knowing Ginny now has a voice, and what can we expect from her growth this time around?
Mahina Napoleon: Stepping into Season 2 has been such an exciting experience. Ginny’s story already had so much depth from Season 1, but the audience gets to see a whole new side of her. Season 1 left fans at a loss for words, at a time when Ginny finds her own. From overcoming the traumatic outcomes of losing her dad to gaining and loosing a father figure in Negan, she is left searching for connection. Jumping into season 2, you’ll definitely see how finding her voice plays a powerful role for her both metaphorically and in her dark reality. She definitely grows in more than one way, showing a new found strength and determination.
Your portrayal of Ginny in Season 1 was so striking—conveying so much emotion without any words. How did you prepare for that nonverbal intensity, and how has your approach shifted now that Ginny’s breaking her silence in Season 2?
Mahina Napoleon: Honestly, a character like Ginny has so much power in her silence. The focus was not so much about preparing ahead of time but about what happens in the moment. The script really provided me with a sense of background and understanding of each scene. As the cameras were rolling, it was about trusting the moment and allowing Ginny to truly feel the uncertainty around her, while battling every natural instinct she may have to use her voice. With Ginny now speaking in Season 2, there’s an extra layer we get to explore. We explore whether Ginny’s silence was truly hindering her or a superpower.
Ginny’s relationship with Negan has been a cornerstone of her story. How does that dynamic evolve in Season 2?
Mahina Napoleon: Their story definitely gets more interesting in Season 2... but you’ll have to wait and see!
What’s the most surprising or inspiring thing you’ve learned from franchise legends Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan since joining The Walking Dead universe?
Mahina Napoleon: Oh my gosh, I love this question! I’ve been a fan of The Walking Dead since I was super young, so walking onto set in Season 1 and meeting Jeffrey and Lauren was an experience unlike any other. It was already incredibly surreal to know that I am part of this ever-growing Walking Dead Universe, but to get the opportunity to work so closely with these legends and learn directly from them is a dream come true. They’re seriously some of the sweetest people ever, and they’ve helped me grow so much as an actor over these past two seasons. I look up to them so much.
The stakes are higher than ever with Maggie and Negan on opposite sides. Without spoiling too much, can you tease how Ginny fits into this growing conflict?
Mahina Napoleon: Oh! Ginny definitely finds her way through the chaos, and I promise you won't want to miss seeing it unfold.
The Walking Dead franchise has such a passionate fan base. What’s it been like to step into this universe and see the reactions to Ginny’s story?
Mahina Napoleon: The fans are incredible! Seeing all of the support from fans online has been phenomenal. There is actually this one creator on TikTok who makes fan videos about Ginny—and I absolutely love them! Seeing that kind of support makes me feel so happy and proud to be part of The Walking Dead family.
Finally, what’s been the most rewarding part of exploring Ginny’s voice in Season 2?
Mahina Napoleon: I think finding her voice really gave Ginny a new level of confidence. It feels like now she has more control over her story, and this season really shows how much she’s grown. It’s been amazing to be part of that journey with her. I am excited to see what fans think of the new season.
