Actor Andrew Lincoln has become known for his role on The Walking Dead as Rick Grimes. He has acted as the group's prominent leader since the show's debut and, in turn, has become the face of the franchise. His dedication to ensuring the group's survival has made Rick a beloved and sympathetic character for many, so fans were shocked by Lincoln's Season 9 departure, fearing The Walking Dead wouldn't be the same without him.
Much of the series focuses on Rick's story and how his actions affect the apocalyptic world around him. However, due to Lincoln's decision, Rick was written out of the show, but the demand for Rick Grimes remains, and producers assure fans that more of the character has yet to come.
Lincoln first announced his departure from The Walking Dead at the 2018 San Diego Comic-Con. There was no big mystery or scandal behind the decision. Instead, he chose to leave because of family. The Walking Dead shoots in Georgia for several months out of the year, but Lincoln lives in England.
"I have two young children, and I live in a different country, and they become less portable as they get older, " Lincoln said in an interview with Entertainment Weekly. "It was time for me to come home."
Although comic creator Robert Kirkman was supportive of Lincoln's decision, it presented a new problem; Rick Grimes needed to be written out of the show. His Season 9 departure episode kept fans on the edge of their seats as they wondered what fate Rick would meet. In the short, Rick survives a near-death explosion and is transported to an unknown location by the Civic Republic, who will play a role in the spin-off series The Walking Dead: World Beyond.
When Lincoln left, Rick couldn't possibly exist. His comic counterpart also didn't make it to the end of the comic's run; however comic Rick was killed off, unlike the television character. In Issue #192 of The Walking Dead, the story takes a grim turn when an angry civilian, Sebastian Milton, shoots Rick, killing the character permanently.
Fans might be angry, but those that can't get enough of the former sheriff can rest assured that plans for the character's return are in the works. Kirkman confirmed Andrew Lincoln will reprise his iconic role in at least three Rick Grimes-centric Walking Dead movies. The films will provide closure, diving into what happened after Rick was taken away by the Civic Republic helicopter in Season 9.
Created by Scott Gimple, Robert Kirkman and Matt Negrete, The Walking Dead: World Beyond stars Aliyah Royale, Alexa Mansour, Annet Mahendru, Nicolas Cantu, Hal Cumpston and Nico Tortorella. The series airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET on AMC.