Skybound
Welcome to Skybound Insiders, the free VIP group for lovers of comics and entertainment!

Forgot Password?
Or
Fb Connect
Welcome to Skybound Insiders, the free VIP group for lovers of comics and entertainment!

Login
Creating an account means you're okay with Skybound's Terms of Service, Privacy Policy
 
Skybound
Welcome to Skybound Insiders, the free VIP group for lovers of comics and entertainment!

Or
Cancel
Fb Connect
Creating an account means you're okay with Skybound's Terms of Service, Privacy Policy
 
Skybound
Almost complete! You will now receive a confirmation email for your registration, please click the link in that email to finish the registration process and claim your comic rewards.
Skybound Entertainment
  • About
  • Comics
  • Games
  • TV / Movies
  • Podcasts
  • Shop
The Walking Dead
Invincible
Skybound Insiders
Nothing Found
View All Search Results
  • The Walking Dead
  • Comic
    • Latest
    • Story
    • Characters
  • Show
    • Latest
    • Story
    • Characters
  • Games
  • Fear TWD
    • Latest
    • Story
    • Characters
  • Galleries
  • Videos
Skybound Entertainment
  • Account
  • Logout
Nothing Found
View All Search Results

Meet Deanna: Interview with Tovah Feldshuh

March 5, 2015
Lizzy IversonbyLizzy Iverson
in TV
Reading Time: 4 mins read
5
13
SHARES
FacebookTwitterRedditQREmail

The Hollywood Reporter recently chatted with Tovah Feldshuh, the actress playing Deanna on The Walking Dead. As the leader of the Alexandria Safe Zone, she had a lot of interesting things to say about how she prepared for such a pivotal role. Read on!

You’re taking over a character that was a man in the comics. What kind of conversations did you have with producers about how much of his character attributes Deanna would have? 

I did a role like this on Law & Order: Criminal Intent that was imagined as Daniel Melnick and turned into Danielle Melnick. I was flown out of Galapagos to begin film; I didn’t know I got the job, they couldn’t find me. They found me and negotiated when I was sailing around watching Darwinian convergence and divergent genetics evolution. They flew me to arrive Monday in Atlanta. I met Greg Nicotero and Scott GImple, went over the script, had a costume fitting and started shooting a 10-page scene the next day. I gave them my point of view about what she represents — she’s bringing back a benevolent civilization and what that meant to bring back culture and the possibility of enhancing lives because all of the sudden, you have time to make sure you’re not killed. And what happens about Deanna’s naiveté about that entire situation. As it goes on, she has had tremendous luck that their community wasn’t attacked by walkers.

What kind of a leader is Deanna? Judging from her debut, she seems to know that Alexandria is weak. 

She’s the brains. She’s the civilized and intelligent and needs bodies and the brawn and that’s why she wants Rick and his band of interesting characters to come into her compound but not without being vetted first. She needs the muscle and feels that together, Rick can give me safety and she can give him culture — a napkin on his table, a shower and a roof over his head and some relief from fear. As long as these people are not hoodlums — as she says in the episode. [Deanna and the people of Alexandria] had a bad experience before and people have to be vetted and she’s meticulous and thorough about doing that. She was in the U.S. House of Representatives from Ohio and led a community before this. She is an evolved humanist and Rick is an evolved humanist in his how way. The fact that they were starving and didn’t eat and kill each other was a big one for Deanna observed at the end of their tenor. They never turned in and started to eliminate the weak. … Deanna is here to engender hope of resurrection of civilization.

Could we meet the people who were exiled from Alexandria? What kind of people were they?

It was never explained but they were very dangerous to the group. To exile under these circumstances almost means certain death. People couldn’t exist alone in that jungle of The Walking Dead, they’re just not going to make it. She did get rid of them but didn’t commit murder — she said it can’t amount to that — but she did not raise a hand, cut a throat or shoot a heart. That becomes a very big and difficult struggle later. Rick is the practical mind and Deanna is the idealistic mind. It’s not Alexandria by mistake; it’s obviously named after the Egyptian city famous for the greatest library of its time.

How much of the comics have you read to prepare for the role? 

I didn’t read the comics; I read all about Hillary Clinton and great women like Margaret Thatcher. I met her before she was the “Iron Lady” gave a speech about notes and it was remarkable. Then I looked at my own local representatives in New York — Nita Lowey — a wonderful Democrat who’s very alert. I kept looking at people who naturally wanted to give back to the community.

Rick and Michonne (Danai Gurira) have been given high-ranking jobs as constables within Alexandria. How will their leadership approaches clash with Deanna? 

Deanna allows no guns inside the wall, so that’s rough on them. There’s part of them where they have so much more battle experience that they think she’s taking a terrible chance. As the series progresses, you’ll see if Deanna is or if she isn’t. But they don’t mesh easily and that’s the challenge of season five — what does it mean, how do we compromise and how do we do it verbally? We’re not going to pick up arms. Deanna’s people haven’t the vaguest idea how to shoot a gun; they’re capable but not well versed. The greater the obstacle, the more interesting the scene and series. There’s several huge obstacles between Rick’s way of seeing the world and his experience of what it is beyond the gate, and Deanna’s way of seeing the world from within. The people of Alexandria have lived in safety — or the illusion of safety. The question is: Is this right before disaster or are we going to live out the season safe and sound? That will be told in the episodes coming up.

Read the full interview on The Hollywood Reporter’s site!

What did you think of Tovah’s portrayal of Denna? For comic fans, are you a fan of the gender swap?

More interviews related to Episode 512 here!

 

Become a Shareholder in the Skybound Universe!
Announcements

Become a Shareholder in the Skybound Universe!

by DWelch
January 23, 2023

POPULAR

  • Become a Shareholder in the Skybound Universe!

    Become a Shareholder in the Skybound Universe!

    84 shares
    Share 34 Tweet 21
  • WE’RE DEVELOPING A CHRONICLES OF AMBER TV SERIES!

    700 shares
    Share 280 Tweet 175
  • Dr. Ali Mattu, Ph.D., Weighs in on Lizzie

    1552 shares
    Share 621 Tweet 388
  • The Walking Dead Season 9 Episode 15: Comic vs. Show

    10973 shares
    Share 4292 Tweet 2683
  • The Top 10 Carl Grimes Moments From The Walking Dead

    665 shares
    Share 266 Tweet 166

SkyboundShop

Recommended from the SKYBOUND shop


Tags: InterviewsSeason 5Tovah FeldshuhTWD

Home | The Walking Dead | Meet Deanna: Interview with Tovah Feldshuh

Previous

New Photos from Episode 513!

Next

Episode 512 Photo Gallery

Related Posts

The Walking Dead Deluxe Reveals Stacked Lineup of Variant Covers for Landmark 50th Issue
Comics

The Walking Dead Deluxe Reveals Stacked Lineup of Variant Covers for Landmark 50th Issue

by DWelch
3 months ago
0

LOS ANGELES 10/04/2022 – Today Skybound revealed seven all-new The Walking Dead Deluxe variant covers from a lineup of superstar artists in celebration of the series’ milestone 50th issue, presented...

The Walking Dead Season 10c Trailer
TV

The Walking Dead Season 10c Trailer

by Johnny O'Dell
2 years ago
0

Negan returns in the easter egg-filled trailer for The Walking Dead 10c, which begins its six-episode run on February 28th, 2021.

Lauren Cohan Reveals She’ll Be A Part of The Six Episodes Added to The Walking Dead Season 10

Lauren Cohan Reveals She’ll Be A Part of The Six Episodes Added to The Walking Dead Season 10

2 years ago
Rosemary Rodriguez: Andrew Lincoln is a Stellar Human Being

Rosemary Rodriguez: Andrew Lincoln is a Stellar Human Being

2 years ago
Lindsley Register Tells Her Walking Dead Audition Story

Lindsley Register Tells Her Walking Dead Audition Story

2 years ago
Lindsley Register Talks About Getting Yelled At By Kevin Spacey on House of Cards

Lindsley Register Talks About Getting Yelled At By Kevin Spacey on House of Cards

2 years ago

Related Posts

The Walking Dead Deluxe Reveals Stacked Lineup of Variant Covers for Landmark 50th Issue

The Walking Dead Deluxe Reveals Stacked Lineup of Variant Covers for Landmark 50th Issue

by DWelch
3 months ago
0

LOS ANGELES 10/04/2022 – Today Skybound revealed seven all-new The Walking Dead Deluxe variant covers from a lineup of superstar...

The Walking Dead Season 10c Trailer

The Walking Dead Season 10c Trailer

by Johnny O'Dell
2 years ago
0

Negan returns in the easter egg-filled trailer for The Walking Dead 10c, which begins its six-episode run on February 28th,...

Lauren Cohan Reveals She’ll Be A Part of The Six Episodes Added to The Walking Dead Season 10

Lauren Cohan Reveals She’ll Be A Part of The Six Episodes Added to The Walking Dead Season 10

by Johnny O'Dell
2 years ago
0

Lauren Cohan told Ryan and Kelly that she'll be a part of the six extra episodes added to the end...

Rosemary Rodriguez: Andrew Lincoln is a Stellar Human Being

Rosemary Rodriguez: Andrew Lincoln is a Stellar Human Being

by Johnny O'Dell
2 years ago
0

Director Rosemary Rodriguez explains why Andrew Lincoln was a stellar human being behind the scenes of The Walking Dead.

Lindsley Register Tells Her Walking Dead Audition Story

Lindsley Register Tells Her Walking Dead Audition Story

by Johnny O'Dell
2 years ago
1

Laura actress Lindsley Register tells the unique story of how she got cast on The Walking Dead back in Season...

Lindsley Register Talks About Getting Yelled At By Kevin Spacey on House of Cards

Lindsley Register Talks About Getting Yelled At By Kevin Spacey on House of Cards

by Johnny O'Dell
2 years ago
1

The Walking Dead's Lindsley Register details how toxic Kevin Spacey was on the set of House of Cards.

Comments 5

  1. BASTET. says:
    8 years ago

    I like for the show to run parallel with the events of the comic but I love it when there are just enough subtle differences/character swaps, etc. to keep me wondering & guessing!

    Reply
  2. KingDead says:
    8 years ago

    I agree 100% bastet

    Reply
  3. Agenta5211 says:
    8 years ago

    I love her character. She’s just perfect and i havnt seen her in any other roles, but I can already tell just form episode 12 that she is a great actress. Can’t wait to see what happens with her character.

    Reply
  4. crazyscissors says:
    8 years ago

    She looks like the comic Douglas. Minus the beard and add the hair. It’s not a difficult transition at all but just different enough to make me wonder..

    Reply
  5. BillyHo says:
    8 years ago

    Some one mentioned previously about her not flirting/hitting on the girls as the male version did in the comics? I wonder how accurate that thought is…?

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Latest

Skybound Entertainment Makes Substantial Investment in Mega Cat Studios

Skybound Entertainment Makes Substantial Investment in Mega Cat Studios

January 26, 2023
Joshua Williamson, Goran Sudzuka & Davide Gianfelice’s Ghosted Collected in Compendium This September From Skybound

Joshua Williamson, Goran Sudzuka & Davide Gianfelice’s Ghosted Collected in Compendium This September From Skybound

January 24, 2023
Become a Shareholder in the Skybound Universe!

Become a Shareholder in the Skybound Universe!

January 23, 2023
Check out the Invincible Season 2 Teaser!

Check out the Invincible Season 2 Teaser!

January 20, 2023
Skybound Announces Fourth Installment of Hit French Fight Comic Lastman

Skybound Announces Fourth Installment of Hit French Fight Comic Lastman

January 20, 2023
Follow @skybound Tweet to @skybound Tweets by Skybound
  • afterschool
  • assassin-nation
  • baldurs-gate
  • battle-pope
  • battle-pope
  • big-con
  • birthright
  • brit
  • callisto-protocol
  • clementine
  • clone
  • creepshow
  • crude
  • cuphead
  • dark-ride
  • dead-body-road
  • deaths-gambit
  • die-die-die
  • disco
  • the-electric-state
  • escape-academy
  • everyday-herd
  • excellence
  • extra-fabulous
  • extremity
  • fear-the-walking-dead
  • fire-power
  • gasolina
  • ghosted
  • glitch-busters
  • grimm-forest
  • grimm-masquerade
  • guardians-call
  • guarding-the-globe
  • hardcore
  • heart-attack
  • homestead
  • icewind-dale
  • hate-this-place
  • invincible
  • invincible-universe
  • kroma
  • last-man
  • the-labrynth
  • the-long-dark
  • manifest-destiny
  • murder-falcon
  • mr-lovenstein
  • neverwinter-nights
  • notmycar
  • oblivion-song
  • the-obsoletes
  • outcast
  • outer-darkness
  • outpost-zero
  • pitchstorm
  • planescape-torment
  • rainbow-billy
  • redneck
  • the-walking-dead-saints-and-sinners
  • science-dog
  • scurry
  • sea-serpent-heir
  • six-sidekicks
  • skull-girls
  • skybound-x
  • slime-rancher
  • the-walking-dead-something-to-fear
  • sorcerer-city
  • stealth
  • stillwater
  • stray
  • superfight
  • tech-jacket
  • the-walking-dead
  • the-walking-dead-last-mile
  • telltales-the-walking-dead
  • thief-of-thieves
  • tidal-blades
  • trial-by-trolley
  • vice
  • wrestle-quest

READ

About
Comics
Games
TV / Movies
Podcasts

SHOP

Games
Clothing
Accessories
Comics & Books
Toys & Collectibles

LEARN

Robert Kirkman
Contact
Privacy Policy
Terms & Conditions
Careers

© 2022 Skybound, LLC and/or its affiliates. The Skybound mark and any related logos are trademarks of Skybound, LLC

  • Login
  • About
  • Comics
  • Games
  • TV & MOVIES
  • Shop
  • Podcasts

Forgotten Password?
Don't have an account yet?
Sign Up
Copyright © 2018 All Site Content and © 2018 SKYBOUND, unless otherwise noted here. All Right Reserved.

Fill the forms bellow to register

Cancel
Already have an account?
Log In
All fields are required.

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In