Alexa Mansour played Hope on AMC’s The Walking Dead: World Beyond. The Fandemic Dead Tour was Alexa’s first con and we got a chance to speak with her about her experience on the show.
Convinced the world is doomed, Hope lives for today, shunning responsibilities in favor of partying and having a good time. But underneath her carefree “live for today” attitude, Hope is haunted by a dark secret, something she’s kept hidden from her sister and the others around her. Joining Iris (Aliyah Royale) on their cross-country mission will compel Hope to confront the things she’s done, and re-examine how she sees herself and the world around her.
When Alexa is not acting, she continues to create as a talented singer-songwriter and pianist. She released her freshman single entitled “Misguided Youth” in 2018.
Check out my interview with Alexa!
Did you know that there were only going to be two seasons?
Alexa: No, we signed on for a lot more seasons, but, you know, stuff happens higher up that you can’t really control and so two seasons is what we got, but I’m happy that it was more than one.
When you first auditioned for the show, did you know you were auditioning for Hope?
Alexa: No. I knew the character and all that, but the names were different. When I auditioned, her name was Elizabeth but the characteristics of the audition and all that were the exact same as what Hope’s are.
What kind of drew you to audition for this character?
Alexa: Just knowing that it was The Walking Dead related. I have gone into audition for The Walking Dead so many times that when I heard there was a spin off and that this was like the lead, and a main character, I was like, this is a no brainer. I have to do it.
So you were clearly a fan of the show before auditioning, who was your favorite character?
Alexa: It’s always been Daryl Dixon. He’s got my heart.
I love that! But that’s really interesting because I do kind of see similarities between Daryl and Hope.
Alexa: It was just written that way. Yeah, from the get go, when I read the script, I was like, ‘she’s a lot like Daryl.’ I really loved that.
How are you with the crossbow?
Alexa: Not good. I’ve never tried it so I wouldn’t be the best but I have done archery before.
Did you have to do anything special to prepare to play Hope?
Alexa: I’m not the kind of person that really does any big preparation for a role. I think the more I overthink it, the more it’s gonna seem rehearsed. We did a lot of fight training and that was something that I definitely needed, because I was not very well versed in the physical aspect of it. But besides the fight training, not really.
Have you kept up with any of that?
Alexa: No. I do kickboxing and I work out a lot, but no stunt training or anything like that.
Do you hope to do more of that in the future?
Alexa: Oh my god, I dream of it. I really hope so. I really do. It was so fun that I don’t want it to end.
Was there anything that you didn’t didn’t get to do on the show that you would’ve liked to do?
Alexa: I’m going to be 100% honest. I was that person that was always calling for the stunt double because I’m very clumsy. So, in season two when I had that fight with Candice (Hannah Alline), that was like 80% me. After doing that scene, I kind of felt like I’d done it all. The choreography and everything was so intense. I was satisfied with it.
What was it like working with the cast?
Alexa: So good! They were so great. Aliyah (Royale) is so talented. Hal (Cumpston) and Nicolas (Cantu), because we were with them most of the time, they’re so funny and so positive and happy all the time that they just, like, they set the tone for the entire show. It was amazing.
Do you still talk to them?
Alexa: I talk to Hal all the time. He’s moving to LA, so I’m looking forward to living in his living room and never leaving him alone. Nico (Tortorella), I talk to them all the time. Jellani (Alladin), I see them and Joe Holt, I see him all the time. I never want to lose them. They mean so much to me.
Do you have any standout memories or any funny memories from filming?
Alexa: Nico falling asleep in between segments. Yeah, finding Nico like spread eagle in the middle of a break or something.
What’s the most random place they fell asleep?
Alexa: When they were shooting in an abandoned school, they fell asleep on the floor in the principal’s office. Yeah, I have a photo of them somewhere.
Are you working on any projects?
Alexa: I have a show on Paramount plus coming out called Players. And then I’m doing the reboot of Fantasy Island, which has not been announced yet but it hopefully will announce very soon.
Players follows the fictional epsorts team League of Legends as they compete for their first championship. Players is a mockumentary series created by Tony Yacenda and Dan Perrault, Funny or Die, Riot Games and CBS Studios. has been cast in a recurring role as Emma, a popular streamer who loves and appreciates the game and the players.
