Exclusive interview: Director Michael E. Satrazemis talks The Walking Dead ‘Guardians’

Switching gears and looking back at 908, you directed the episode where Negan escaped his cell and now he’s back in it, on his own.

That was a tough scene. When you read it, it’s Negan saying ‘Maybe I can help you out. Maybe we can be good.’ Danai came in and shut it down. That scene was so powerful. On paper people have to marry it into the truth so it doesn’t seem absurd. Danai’s performance overall in this, because it was very tricky with the walls kind of crumbling in on every level: Parenting, the council, what to do with Negan, whatever happened in the past that complicated everything so much and how to move on to the future, whether to sacrifice Alexandria or the Kingdom.

And the scene with Michonne and Judith was spot on brilliant.

I’ve been waiting and waiting to work with Cailey. I came in before 908 and they were shooting a scene with her in the woods when she starts killing walkers. She’s so cute and infectious that I almost ran up and hugged her as if she was a [grown up version of the Judith actresses] I’d worked with before, but I don’t know her and she probably would have stabbed me with her sword. Ever since then I have been waiting for a chance to do a scene with her. She’s cute, strong, feisty, firm and can stand up and hold adult content with a very strong adult actor. She’s pretty special.

It’s always a pleasure talking with Michael E. Satrazemis. His passion for the show and the cast shines through and we’re excited to see the next episode of The Walking Dead that he brings to life.