MAHINA NAPOLEON is currently starring in the highly anticipated series, The Walking Dead: Dead City.
We caught up with Mahina Napoleon to talk about her new role.
What can audiences expect from TWD: Dead City?
MAHINA NAPOLEON: The audience can look forward to an exciting season. Not only will we see the return of fan favorites like Maggie and Negan, but the fans will also get to meet new characters, like my character Ginny and the fans can get very excited about some new variants of walkers. It is definitely bigger and badder than anything the TWD fans have ever seen before!
What do you think are your character’s ultimate goals?
Ginny is just a young girl trying to survive in the apocalyptic world. So really, Ginny is just trying to survive. That survival is dependent upon her relationship with Negan, the only person she really has left in this world. Well, Negan and Dino.
What can audiences expect from TWD: Dead City?
The audience can look forward to an exciting season. Not only will we see the return of fan favorites like Maggie and Negan, the fans will also get to meet new characters, like my character Ginny and the fans can get VERY excited about some new variants of walkers. It is bigger and badder than anything the TWD fans have ever seen before.
Can you recall any funny moments from on-set filming?
Oh gosh, yes, there were so many. It was a great set to film with. One that really stuck out was when I was goofing around with a PA on set; we were fooling around with a broom in the building, and all of a sudden, the broom just stood up on its own. We were kind of freaking out that the building or the broom might be haunted, so we were actually scaring each other. It was really funny.
As an actor, what are you still trying to learn?
As an actor, I believe it is always important to continue learning. I am always pushing myself to dive deeper into my roles. In this new world of self-tape auditions, it can be a struggle. It is very strange to be in a room by myself with just a computer screen trying to get into character.
So I am always working on new ways to really get into character and put out solid self-tapes. Another thing I am working on is being able to cry on cue. It is a very strange emotion, but I’ve worked on being able to get myself into a mindset where I can make the scene real and believable for the audience.
How can you tell when you’re reading a great script?
One thing that makes a script really stand out to me is when there are solid directions in the scene. It is really helpful to fully capture the emotion of the character and the scene, and when the writers put a lot of thought into the directions, it helps me as an actor have a better grasp on their vision. I believe it helps the overall outcome of the scene.
When did you begin to see acting as a potential career avenue?
I’ve always wanted to act and sing. It has been a passion of mine my whole life. But when I got the first callback for NCIS Hawaiʻi, I realized that this could be a real thing for me!
How important is social media to you right now?
Social Media is very important. I believe it is the way we will communicate moving forward. I also really love that it allows the fans to get to know me better and see who I am outside of acting and my character.
What’s the biggest realization you’ve had this past year?
Honestly, my role on TWD: Dead City is my first big main acting role. So, the biggest realization is that I am actually doing what I love for a career. It has been so challenging and exciting.
Everyone seems to have an app idea at the moment, what’s yours?
I actually donʻt have one, but my favorite app right now is TikTok because I love to dance!
What makes you feel nostalgic?
Doughnuts. Growing up, I would wake up in the morning and come out to the kitchen counter, and my Grandpa would always be there eating doughnuts. I would sit with him, talk and hang out. Doughnuts remind me of my Grandpa and the wonderful times we spent together. Earlier this year, we scattered his ashes at sea and took a bunch of doughnuts with me and threw them in the water for him.
