Following shocking reports that actor Andrew Lincoln would be leaving The Walking Dead, co-star Norman Reedus has shared a touching photo with the Rick Grimes actor.

Posted on Reedus' Instagram account, the photo shows him and Lincoln in a brotherly embrace on set of the popular AMC survival horror series.

Earlier this week, fans around the world were surprised to learn that Lincoln reportedly plans to leave the Image Comics adaptation. Later reports indicated that Lincoln will gradually be phased out during the show's upcoming ninth season similar to co-star Lauren Cohan. Reedus is in the midst of negotiating a $20 million deal with AMC to return as the new series star with his character Darryl Dixon replacing Lincoln's Rick Grimes as the show's main character.

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Lincoln had been the show's star since its debut in 2010 with his departure as the latest high-profile shake-up for the popular AMC series. Starting with the ninth season, writer Angela Kang will replace Scott Gimple as showrunner while Gimple has been promoted to oversee the entire Walking Dead brand.

A premiere date for the ninth season is expected to be announced next month at Comic-Con International in San Diego.

The Walking Dead stars Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes, Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon, Lauren Cohan as Maggie Rhee, Danai Gurira as Michonne, Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier, Lennie James as Morgan Jones, Alanna Masterson as Tara Chambler, Josh McDermitt as Eugene Porter, Christian Serratos as Rosita Espinosa, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan.