In an exclusive interview with Where Is The Buzz, Mahina Napoleon, at only 15 years old, has become one of young Hollywood’s most exciting new voices. With performances that belie her youth, she’s made a name for herself as a force in emotionally nuanced, prestige television, combining vulnerability and strength in a manner that leaves viewers breathless.
A Breakthrough in the Walking Dead Universe
Napoleon initially gained audiences’ attention in NCIS: Hawai’i, where her effervescent performance as Julie Tennant highlighted her charm. However, it was her chilling turn as Ginny in The Walking Dead: Dead City that solidified her status as someone to look out for.
During the first season of the show, Ginny hardly spoke, a difficulty which compelled Mahina to use silence, body language, and naked expression to convey pain, loss, and resilience. By Season 2, the character had found her voice both literally and otherwise.
Looking back at that change, Napoleon conceded:
“It honestly felt so crazy, but also really exciting to finally get to speak on screen. In Season 1, I had to find alternative ways to convey Ginny’s emotions without words… so when Season 2 came around and I could actually use my voice, it felt like all that emotion I had been holding in finally had a place to come out.”
Her performance was key to Negan’s emotional development, imbuing a surprise tenderness into a world otherwise governed by violence and survival.
Grappling With Ginny’s Fate
Season 2 ended in tragedy: Ginny’s heartbreaking death. For Napoleon, entering her character’s last story arc was devastating.
“I can’t even explain how heartbroken I was when I first read it. I was honestly in denial, like, ‘No way this is actually happening.’ … But the way Eli wrote it was so powerful—I was crying just reading it, and then filming it was even more emotional.”
Though difficult, she recognized that Ginny’s story gave her castmates’ characters new depth while allowing audiences to witness a young girl’s quiet transformation into independence.
Mentorship and Growth on Set
Mahina attributes a lot of her development to her fellow actors, especially Lauren Cohan, who offered her guidance that influenced her performances.
“She always told me it’s better to give more than less, because the camera can always scale it back if needed, but if you hold back, it’s harder to really connect. That advice pushed me to go deeper and not be afraid of showing bigger emotions.”
This mentorship allowed Napoleon to tap into performances far beyond her years, navigating heavy emotional arcs with breathtaking authenticity.
From Hawai’i to the Apocalypse
The jump from portraying bubbly Julie Tennant on NCIS: Hawai’i to the traumatized, introverted Ginny has been life-changing for Napoleon.
“It’s kind of like they both brought out different sides of myself that I didn’t even realize were there… Having the chance to feel such different emotions and work with different crews so early in my career has been amazing. It’s not only helping me grow as an actress, but it’s also helping me grow into the best version of myself.”
Her capacity to portray polar opposites at this young age heralds the unusual versatility of a long-lasting actress.
A Legacy Beyond Survival
While Ginny’s story in Dead City has concluded, Mahina Napoleon hopes her character’s legacy will have significance for audiences, especially those around her own age.
“Even though Ginny’s story was short, it carried a lot of meaning… She learned independence and started to find her own confidence. For me, I don’t see her story as completely over—I see it more like the beginning, like she finally found her wings. And I hope young viewers… can take away that even in the hardest moments, you can find strength in yourself and learn how to stand on your own.”
