Ep 3. Danai Gurira

Danai Gurira is featured in episode 3 of Breaking Big’s first season. Breaking Big is a PBS television series that takes a look at the journeys of individuals who have managed to break barriers and achieve tremendous success in their respective fields. In each episode, the show highlights the pivotal moments, challenges, and risks that these individuals took that eventually helped them to create their lasting legacies.

Danai Gurira is an award-winning actor, playwright, and social activist. Over the years, she has garnered critical acclaim for her outstanding performances both on stage and in film. Gurira is best known for her role as Michonne in the hit television series, The Walking Dead. In addition to her acting work, Gurira is also an accomplished writer, having written plays such as Eclipsed and In the Continuum, which have received numerous accolades.

In this episode of Breaking Big, viewers will see how Gurira's upbringing greatly influenced her work as a writer and actor. Gurira was born in the United States, but spent most of her formative years in Zimbabwe. Her parents were both academics, and as a child, Gurira was exposed to a world of literature and storytelling. She fell in love with the art of storytelling at a young age, and this eventually led her to pursue her passions in writing and acting.

The episode also explores the challenges that Gurira faced as a young woman trying to make it in the entertainment industry. Gurira discusses the numerous rejections she experienced in the initial stages of her career. She recounts how she initially struggled to find work opportunities in Hollywood, and was even told that she didn’t fit the “typical” Hollywood mold. Despite these setbacks, Gurira continued to push forward and eventually found success in her acting career.

Breaking Big also highlights her social activism work and dedication to women's empowerment. Gurira is known for combining her art and activism to raise awareness about important social issues, such as the devastating effects of the Ebola virus in West Africa. Additionally, she is a strong advocate for gender equality and has created a community of female writers and artists who collaborate to tell stories that empower women.

Through interviews with Gurira's family members, industry professionals, and fellow actors, the episode delves further into the actor's impressive body of work. We see how Gurira's dedication to storytelling has impacted the lives of people around the world, particularly women of African descent.

Overall, this episode of Breaking Big provides a fascinating insight into the life and work of Danai Gurira. It highlights the exceptional talent, hard work, and persistence required to achieve such remarkable success. In addition, it showcases how Gurira's dedication to social activism and her passion for storytelling has helped to create a positive impact on the world around her.