'The Walking Dead's' Danai Gurira is leaving the show after next season

• Danai Gurira is leaving "The Walking Dead" after season 10, an individual with knowledge of the situation told INSIDER.
• The actress is expected to return in some capacity for the "Walking Dead" movies starring Andrew Lincoln.
• The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news of Gurira's departure.

Another big star is leaving "The Walking Dead" next season. 

Danai Gurira, who has played Michonne on the AMC zombie drama since season three, is leaving the show after its 10th season, an individual with knowledge of the situation told INSIDER. The Hollywood Reporter first reported the news.

Gurira's contract with "TWD" ran up after the show's ninth season. According to THR, under her new contract, Gurira will return to the show in "a handful of episodes," which will air across season 10. 

It's expected Gurira will then transition over to the planned "Walking Dead" movies, in which Andrew Lincoln is set to star. 

While speaking with INSIDER Thursday, executive producer Greg Nicotero hinted if Gurira was to leave "TWD" that there were multiple scenarios worked out for the continuation of the show.

"I'm pretty confident that there's lots of plans in place for all kinds of different scenarios," said Nicotero. 

Showrunner Angela Kang confirmed "The Walking Dead's" 10th season earlier this week on Instagram. Kang is currently working on the that season now. When asked by INSIDER if she's approaching the following season as a potential final one for the show, Kang said that's not the case. 

"I'm approaching it as I've got to make a great 10th season," Kang told us. "I can't assume anything. I think it's a thing that writers certainly talk about a lot. You can fall into a trap just planning ahead and saving the great materials for later. We just always have to approach it as we got to put the good material in now." 

"Even if there is five more years or 10 more years or whatever, we have to make it cool in this year and now for our sake, but definitely for the sake of the fans and so that's been the approach," added Kang about how she tackles the show. "I'm really excited about the work that we're doing and just grateful to have been on this ride."

INSIDER requested comment from AMC for this article.

You can follow along with our "Walking Dead" coverage here. 

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