Danai Gurira has confirmed she will be leaving The Walking Dead after season 10.

The actress, who has played Michonne in the post-apocalyptic horror series since season three, confirmed the news at San Diego Comic Con on Friday. Explaining that "her heart will never leave" the show, she said:

"I can confirm this will be my final season on this amazing TV show as Michonne. "I would just like to say that this has been one of the purest joys of my life to play this role and to be amongst these people and those who are not here right now and amongst all of you. "I’m very thankful for the experience I’ve had in ways I can’t state right now. My heart does not leave in any way, shape or form. The TWD family is forever. The connection between us never ends."

She added that the decision to leave had been very difficult to make, but "it was about my calling and other opportunities I wanted to explore." She then received a standing ovation from the fans in Hall H.

Danai just got a standing ovation from Hall H after announcing her departure from #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/yGES4y52MS

— The Walking Dead (@TheWalkingDead) July 19, 2019

Showrunners then released the first footage from season 10 of The Walking Dead - and it looks absolutely epic. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-LSEag2Cz0A Gurira is the latest series regular to leave The Walking Dead.  Andrew Lincoln, who played Rick Grimes, left the long-running zombie drama in the first half of season nine - although he will appear in a series of spinoff films. Lauren Cohan, who played Maggie, also only appeared in a couple episodes of season nine after she and AMC reportedly couldn't agree on terms of a new contract. She went on to star in another series, Whiskey Cavalier.