'The Walking Dead' just fulfilled fans' biggest wish on the show

Warning: There are major spoilers ahead!

For a few years now, "The Walking Dead" fans have been "shipping" — hoping the show would pair together — leadership characters Rick and Michonne. Sunday night, "The Walking Dead" finally surprised fans by making their relationship a reality. 

AMC

Fans were completely caught off guard.

Fans have been shipping Richonne for years. 

I was unabashedly among those who has been calling for a Rick and Michonne pairing since the season four premiere in 2013.

This was when Michonne brought Rick a set of clippers and hinted he should clean up a bit because  "his face was losing the war."

AMC

AMC

"It really did feel like the natural progression of where our characters were to be next," said Michonne actress Danai Gurira on "The Walking Dead" aftershow "Talking Dead."

"It really felt like it was the right place for them to end up. This makes sense. Of course, they finally see each other this way even though it's obvious that this is something that's happening between them but they couldn't see it until they did, which thankfully happened at the same moment, "Gurira added explaining why now was the time for Rick and Michonne to end up together on the show.

In the comic series, Rick and Michonne don't pursue a relationship. Instead, Rick ends up with Andrea, who (spoiler!) is still very much alive and well in the comic series and acts as Rick's second in command.

Explore BI Games

Take a smarter break in your day - and see how far you get.

Play now

Want more Business Insider in your news feed?

Add BI in Google so our reporting is easier to find when you’re searching for what matters.

Add to Preferred Sources

Michonne is also incredibly close with Rick in the comic series, but she has had several other relationships come to fruition in the zombie apocalypse. In the show, Michonne has slowly taken over Andrea's role since her character was surprisingly killed off at the end of season three.