Andrew Lincoln left The Walking Dead during season 9 - and here's why. AMC launched one of the most popular TV show franchises of all-time in 2010. Based on the acclaimed comic series by Robert Kirkman, Lincoln played the lead role of Rick Grimes. One of the reasons The Walking Dead gained such a big following was the frequency and unpredictable nature of major characters suddenly dying during the zombie apocalypse story.
Although some character exits were expected based on the source material, The Walking Dead took plenty of creative liberties to keep the story exciting for all audiences. However, the likes of Rick and Daryl (Norman Reedus) seemed to be the mainstays of the show who would be included forever. That changed during season 9 of The Walking Dead. It was announced before the season that Andrew Lincoln would leave the series, leading fans to wonder how Rick's story would end. His final appearance (for now) came during the fifth episode of season 9, but why did he leave?
As the unquestioned face of a major ongoing series like The Walking Dead, Lincoln spent nearly a full decade playing Rick Grimes. Fans might think that Lincoln's decision to leave resulted from growing bored with the role, wanting a larger paycheck, or so that he could pursue bigger projects. However, the truth is that Lincoln left The Walking Dead because of his family. He is a father of two young children, and they live at home in the UK. Since The Walking Dead's production takes place primarily in Atlanta and lasts several months, Lincoln wasn't able to spend as much time at home as he'd like. He then decided that if he wanted to be with his family more, it was time to leave The Walking Dead.
Lincoln's decision to leave The Walking Dead proved to be a turning point for the series. Without its biggest character, the show had to turn its focus elsewhere and reinvent the story. A six-year time jump in season 9 coincided with Lincoln's exit, which allowed The Walking Dead to show what happened to the core group of characters without Rick around. For the creators, writers, and viewers, this seemed to be a blessing in disguise. The Walking Dead has been incredibly well-received afterward, and there is an endgame in mind with season 11 set to be the last. Reedus has even said that Lincoln told him he left at the wrong time after seeing how good the show became.
The good news for Lincoln is that more Rick Grimes is still ahead. It wasn't long after Lincoln left The Walking Dead that it was announced he would play Rick again in a trilogy of theatrically released Walking Dead movies. The first installment has yet to happen, but it is still in development. After spending a few years away from the universe and being with his family, Andrew Lincoln's return to The Walking Dead's universe should be exciting for all.
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November 02, 2020 at 04:59AM
