AMC has found their San Diego Comic-Con replacement for Chris Hardwick in The Walking Dead superfan, Yvette Nicole Brown. Brown was featured on Hardwick’s Talking Dead on numerous occasions. She will now fill in for the host following accusations of domestic abuse.
Hardwick’s longtime collaborator and former girlfriend, Chloe Dykstra alleged detailed accusations of assault and emotional abuse about a former partner that she chose not to name. Based on many of the descriptions given in her accusations, many were quick to point the finger at the Talking host. In the fallout, AMC placed Talking on hold and removed Hardwick from their Comic-Con panels. Hardwick has also been removed from the WB/DC panels at the upcoming con.
Related: AMC Under Pressure to Cancel Talking with Chris Hardwick
AMC has found a replacement for their TWD panel in Community‘s Yvette Nicole Brown, Deadline reports. Brown has been a strong presence in the Walking Dead community. The actress has dubbed herself a superfan of the show and has appeared on Talking Dead alongside Hardwick on many occasions, often with her infamous notebook filled with thoughts, reactions, questions, and theories about the series in tow. Brown has attended TWD con events in the past, but will be making her moderating debut in this upcoming July 20 event.
The panel is expected to blend stars from both TWD and its sister series, Fear the Walking Dead. Andrew Lincoln, Danai Gurira, Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, Kim Dickens, Colman Domingo, and Lennie James are just some of the names attached to the panel. Previous panels have revealed premiere dates for upcoming seasons, along with sneak peeks of what to expect from the story ahead. It is presumed this panel will feature similar revelations.
Along with the loss of his Comic-Con appearances and the hiatus of Talking, Hardwick has seen many of his projects put in jeopardy following the allegations. NBC has announced a tenuous future for Hardwick’s position as host of The Wall and The Nerdist has effectively removed all trace of Hardwick from their website.
Hardwick publicly denied any truth to the accusations. He blamed Dykstra’s alleged infidelity on their relationship ending. He continued to say that he never wished any harm on his former girlfriend. Hardwick’s wife, Lydia Hearst, has spoken up in defense of her husband, saying that the allegations do not match up with what she knows to be true about her partner. Both Hearst and Dykstra expressed their hope that no matter the outcome of these accusations, women will still find the strength to tell their own stories publicly.
