The Walking Dead is not a safe place for any of its characters – aside from a few core cast members, anyone has been fair game for a sudden exit, either through zombie or human means. But this latest departure comes as a real shocker. So, before we say anything, we'll offer a SPOILER ALERT.
According to Collider – there has been no confirmation from US network AMC just yet – Andrew Lincoln, the man who plays Rick Grimes, will only appear in around six episodes of the next, ninth, season. His leaving the show doesn't necessarily mean that Rick will be dying, but it's the most likely exit strategy given that every other departure from the show has been through death on screen.
Quite what has sparked this decision was not disclosed, though Lincoln has been with the show since it began in 2010, and obviously it's a big commitment for him. So it most likely represents him deciding to spread his wings and make use of some of the clout that starring in one of the biggest TV series gives him.
In related Walking Dead news, Lauren Cohan has also reportedly only signed on for six more episodes. She'd been in a contract and pay dispute with the channel and has been hired by another show, network series Whiskey Cavalier, so we won't be seeing Maggie much.
Collider has heard that AMC and the show's producers have offered Norman Reedus a pay bump to stick around and assume the leading man duties. Because as the legend reads, if Daryl dies, the fans riot.
Whether this pans out into an official announcement has yet to be seen, but it would certainly mark a major change for The Walking Dead.
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