We know that Danai Gurira can handle intensity after seeing her play Michonne in The Walking Dead but in Black Panther, she'll be taking on the role of Okoye, the head of King T'Challa's special forces unit known as the Dora Milaje. Now, in a new interview with Entertainment Weekly, the actress has shed some light on what we can expect from her character and Marvel Studios' plans for this elite group.
"She is an extremely proud Wakandan," explains Gurira when asked about what we should expect from her here. "She’s very proud of her people, her country, and her heritage. She is a traditionalist. She is rooted in what is, what has been done, how we do things as Wakandans. How we have done things, and how that must be preserved. She is a lover and protector of her people and of the throne. To protect the throne, you are protecting the core institution of the nation, which allows it to thrive. She has a deep passion and connection to her country, to her people, and to the very special nature of who and what they are. Preserving that is something that is at the core of who she is."
As for how Okoye feels about T'Challa's ascension to the throne, it sounds like we should forget about seeing any tension between the two as the leader of the Dora Milaje is 100% loyal. "She’s not in conflict with him. They work together. She works with him and she cares deeply for the royal family."
Finally, talk turned to the character's background. "She is from the border tribe. [This is the group that maintains the disguise that Wakanda is a modest, agrarian nation.] She is not someone who rolled out of bed and got where she is. She is someone who is purposeful. She has been purposeful all her life." What do you guys think of these latest Black Panther details? Share your thoughts down below.
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