IMDb: Sasha spent the first half of Season 6 mostly with Abraham (Michael Cudlitz), and now with both Abraham and Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus), as they face off with some new bad guys. How was it as an actor to be separate from the other cast and Alexandria storylines?

Martin-Green: We were separated quite a lot in Season 4 after the prison fell, because we all had to be scattered. It's hard because we do enjoy each other, and it's great when we're all together. But it's also cool, too, when you do get separated because there's a chance to dive into the story, and you're able to really dig in when it's just a couple of you together. Michael and I just really love working together. He's great, and of course Norman is as well. It was actually really fun. I really enjoyed it.

Do you have any fun stories from working with Michael Cudlitz and Norman Reedus?

We did have a lot of fun out there on the road. I mean, Norman loves that bike! It would be so funny because we would end a take, and he would just take off. We would all go, 'Well, there goes Norman.' He would do some circles and whatnot and just come back. One time, he gave me this really cool ride on the bike. He was like, 'Come on. Let's go! You wanna ride?' I was like, 'Yes, I do!' I'd get on, and we'd [cruise around]. I'd just, like, yell, 'cause we were in the woods. I'm just like 'Aaaaahhhh!' It was hilarious.

What was your reaction when you read Abraham's flirtation with Sasha? Did you see that coming? And do you see a future for them, even with Rosita (Christian Serratos) in the picture?

I was quite surprised by it, but I really do think it's very compelling. Abraham and Sasha, you know, they almost have parallel experiences. As Sasha, I've had the PTSD experience. He's obviously had the PTSD experience from being a soldier and also losing the family the way he did. So, we have that in common. Of course he still has a soldier's mindset. I like to think I have somewhat of a soldier's mindset as Sasha. So, we have that in common as well. And so I think it's very interesting.

Of course, Rosita being in the picture is very complicated. Relationships are always complicated. Friendships are always complicated. And I just think that it makes for a really good story, however it plays out, because that's the nature of it. Just because things are not as do-or-die as they used to be at one point.

Of course, the "stuff" has hit the fan at this point: We're either going to fight or we're going to fall in Alexandria, and also where Daryl and Abraham are. But we're not out on the road. We're not in the woods. We have found a sanctuary. So, it allows you to think not just about things associated with survival. You're actually able to think of yourself, think of your desires, think of the things you want, your hopes, your dreams. These types of things are starting to come back into our consciousness. And when we do that, things like this happen. So, I think it's really interesting.

We last saw Sasha, Daryl, and Abraham facing men who said everything they own now belongs to Negan. A newer Episode 9 promo shows Sasha trying to talk to "the man," who says they usually just introduce themselves by "popping one of you right off the bat." What can you say about how Sasha is feeling in that moment? And what can you tease about the rest of that scene?

In that moment, there are so many things going through my mind as Sasha. These men, they're bad news. They mean to harm, and that spurs me into action, and I'm ready to die for our survival. I sacrificed myself, in a sense, to lead walkers away in the first place, because I'm ready for that. I'm ready to engage. I'm ready to be a part of something, to give my heart. For the first time ever, I've finally come out of the dark, and I'm ready to be in the light and be with people that I love. And of course, Abraham decided to sacrifice himself and do this with me, and obviously Daryl's there as well. So, we're all ready. We will do anything. When you're faced with that kind of danger, things get — at least for me — things get really focused. Things get very easy in those moments.

Fans are pretty much obsessed with Jeffrey Dean Morgan's arrival as Negan. We know you can't spoil anything, but how would you describe it in just a few words?

Negan packs a lot of heat. I will say, I mean just the story itself, it's such a powerful story. He's the biggest villain of the comic, that's for sure. And I love that his arrival has been saved for this time, for a time such as now. I think people are going to be overwhelmed. I think they're going to be ... They definitely won't be disappointed. I love Jeffrey. I'm a huge fan of his work.

How would you compare the second half to the first half? What are some of the major differences?

I think one of the biggest differences is the scale. The season just keeps growing. It just keeps getting bigger. It keeps getting more and more intense, to the point where you almost can't stand it. I've said this to people before: In the same way that the first half escalated, the second half just continues to escalate. It just doesn't stop. It's an unstoppable train that keeps picking up speed. It's crazy. It doesn't stop. It's relentless, and it's unforgivable. It just takes you, and you'd better hold on, 'cause if you don't, you're gonna get yourself hurt!

Can you share a favorite moment from shooting this season?

There were certainly a lot of moments that just combined a lot of different things, a lot of moments that were excruciating in so many ways — physically excruciating, emotionally excruciating. It's hard to say one particular moment. It's a really good season, and it's a really good back half of the season. It's the biggest it's ever been. It's the most intense it's ever been. It's the most gut-wrenching, heart-wrenching it's ever been. I remember at the beginning, before the season premiere, I remember Andrew Lincoln was saying it's sort of like maxed out in ambition with this season, and I completely agree with that. It's as big as it could get.

Who would you like Sasha to have more scenes with, for her as a character or yourself as an actor?

I think it would be really interesting to see me and Carol (Melissa McBride), because I really love Carol, and I just think that Melissa McBride is sensational. So, that would be interesting, to see more with them. But the truth is that I want to work with everyone, because everyone is so great. But, again, Carol is legit. [laughs]

What can you tease about what's ahead specifically for Sasha this season?

We see the journey. You see me [Sasha] continuing on this journey, which you've seen thus far. She's made the decision to live, the decision to engage, the decision to become part of this group. It's going to continue on that journey and what that journey holds for me, what the risk is for actually engaging. [The risk] is why I was so afraid of [engaging with others] before, but now I have the courage to take on the risk. So, you see what happens with all of that.