The Walking Dead Bids an Emotional Farewell to Andrew Lincoln
The ninth season of The Walking Dead, which begins October 7 on AMC, is the end of the line for Andr..
The ninth season of The Walking Dead, which begins October 7 on AMC, is the end of the line for Andrew Lincoln, whos played the shows main character since it began in 2010. As sheriff Rick Grimes, Lincoln has been the face of a massively successful franchise, and an integral part of the dramas story line. Lincoln attended his last red carpet premiere with his castmates on Thursday night, a bittersweet event filled with joy and sadness.
“Its a very emotional and rough night for me,” Lincoln told reporters at the shows Season 9 premiere party in Los Angeles. “This has been the most extraordinary experience of my career. The people that I have worked with on this show have become my extended family, and, without a doubt, Im going to miss them the most. The real love and respect for them makes it hard to say farewell. It was a difficult decision for me to make—to leave the show—but the right decision.”
The British actor is exiting the series in order to return to London, where his wife and two children reside. The Walking Dead shoots about seven months a year in Georgia, a schedule thats kept Lincoln away from his family for long periods of time over the past eight years straight.
“I get why hes leaving,” said Norman Reedus, who plays fan favorite Daryl Dixon on the show. “I have a son myself, and Im constantly going back and forth to go see him, and its hard to do that. Hes got a beautiful family, and he needs to be with them. Family is the most important thing in life, so you cant be mad at him for leaving. But Im going to miss the hell out of him every day. Hes like a brother, and hes a very important person to me."
Reedus said hes going to miss spending almost every lunch break in his trailer with Lincoln, talking about life and playing games of backgammon. Danai Gurira—who plays Ricks katana-wielding partner, Michonne—is going to miss his leadership, and his endless kindness in helping the cast members when theyre in need.
"You don't meet people like Andy Lincoln often. He's really the quintessential leader," said the actress. "He's so loving and supportive. He wants you to succeed, and he's happy for you when you do. He makes you a better actor and teaches you to be better to others. His form of leadership makes you feel immediately part of the family. I'm going to miss his generosity, his presence and his energy. It's been a beautiful journey and an honor to work with Andy Lincoln."
At the premiere, the cast and creators kept mum about whether Rick will die, like his wife and son did in earlier seasons, or if hell be kept alive so that he might appear again in the future. Seth Gilliam, who plays Father Gabriel, did say he was pleasantly surprised when he first read the script and found out how Lincoln leaves the AMC zombie show.
"I thought, wow! That is really cool," Gilliam said with a coy grin. "I think it's going to be really trippy for the audience." Executive producer Greg Nicotero added that he and the show's new show runner, Angela Kang, wanted to give Rick an appropriate finale. "We wanted to write him out by giving Rick a send-off that paid tribute to his entire journey on the show, and in a way that was worthy of his character."
As for Lincoln, he described his final season as "breathtaking,” mixed with "kick-ass scenes with horses."
"I'm very proud of the work we've done this season and where the story is going," said Lincoln. "In the episode I leave, it launches and makes the rest of the season even more incredible and so beautiful. One that you have never seen before."
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Daryl Dixon
This photo has a lot of layers—both literal and figurative. Clearly, the hat is a nod to the blistering sun—which, ostensibly, is also responsible for the impressive amount of sweat soaking through Daryls shirt. Then again, if its so hot, why on earth is Daryl—the king of bare biceps—wearing this loud button-down shirt? For the love of God, if were going to give him an unnecessary layer, make it a poncho.Photo: Courtesy of AMC.
King Ezekiel
King Ezekiel looks like hes ready for a snowy hiking trip with Bane in that long, fur-lined leather jacket. Somehow, he barely seems to be breaking a sweat—not that you'd see it through that coat.Photo: Courtesy of AMC.
Rick Grimes
Its been many a moon since weve seen Rick with dry hair. His perpetually sweat-soaked button-downs and water-logged locks are worthy of the desert—or Disney World in the summer. Yet, there he is, talking to be-leathered, unbothered King Ezekiel. If the rule of good leadership is “never let 'em see you sweat,” Rick should be fired immediately.Photo: Courtesy of AMC.
Carol Peletier
Carol has taken to wearing a heavy-looking, camel-colored coat. And apparently its so cold in this scene that even the zombie had to put on her cardigan before stalking her prey.Photo: Courtesy of AMC.
Sasha Williams
I guess its warm? I mean, everyone is definitely less layered than they were during the season premiere, as they all sat in a semi-circle shaking with fear in their jackets and over-shirts and long sleeves. Sashas even wearing short sleeves now!Photo: Courtesy of AMC.
Maggie Greene
Then again, heres Maggie, in long sleeves and an undershirt with no pit stains! Oh, to have that superpower.Photo: Courtesy of AMC.
Enid and Carl
I give up. Here are Enid and Carl on roller skates. Enjoy the midseason premiere on Sunday night. Ill be here, staring at everyones clothes and dejectedly muttering to myself.Photo: Courtesy of AMC.PreviousNext
Daryl Dixon
This photo has a lot of layers—both literal and figurative. Clearly, the hat is a nod to the blistering sun—which, ostensibly, is also responsible for the impressive amount of sweat soaking through Daryls shirt. Then again, if its so hot, why on earth is Daryl—the king of bare biceps—wearing this loud button-down shirt? For the love of God, if were going to give him an unnecessary layer, make it a poncho.Courtesy of AMC.
King Ezekiel
King Ezekiel looks like hes ready for a snowy hiking trip with Bane in that long, fur-lined leather jacket. Somehow, he barely seems to be breaking a sweat—not that you'd see it through that coat.Courtesy of AMC.
Rick Grimes
Its been many a moon since weve seen Rick with dry hair. His perpetually sweat-soaked button-downs and water-logged locks are worthy of the desert—or Disney World in the summer. Yet, there he is, talking to be-leathered, unbothered King Ezekiel. If the rule of good leadership is “never let 'em see you sweat,” Rick should be fired immediately.Courtesy of AMC.
Carol Peletier
Carol has taken to wearing a heavy-looking, camel-colored coat. And apparently its so cold in this scene that even the zombie had to put on her cardigan before stalking her prey.Courtesy of AMC.
Negan
Again: heres our Big Bad, zipped into his leather jacket, which looks like a thick summer sausage casing—and looking pretty comfy. In one episode, we see Negan all layered up and then totally comfy on the porch with Carl—sporting bare arms. One of those two outfits must be uncomfortable, right?Courtesy of AMC.
Paul Rovia (Jesus)
Jesus might be the key to unlocking this puzzle. In recent episodes, hes been seen without his beanie and jacket—which would imply to us that its getting warmer. So perhaps its spring? But if that's the case, how are Ezekiel and the Kingdom growing such luscious apples and pomegranates? Back to Square One.Courtesy of AMC.
Tara Chambler
Far be it for us to tell a woman how to dress—but why layer two short-sleeved shirts? If its warm, this would theoretically be uncomfortable—and if its cool, wouldnt it be easier to simply wear sleeves? Perhaps long-sleeved shirts are in short supply during the zombie apocalypse.Courtesy of AMC.
Morgan Jones
Morgan is wearing the same clothing as Rick these days, yet he produces less sweat. That kind of biological poise is why he belongs in a place called the Kingdom, and Rick does not.Courtesy of AMC.
Michonne
Speaking of the Kingdom: my kingdom to whoever can explain to me Michonne and Ezekiel's clearly polar opposite body temperatures.Courtesy of AMC.
Eugene Porter
God, of course Eugene wears cargo shorts. Or, wait a minute, are those. . . cargo pants? Rolled up? Somehow thats even more fitting, isnt it? Yet, youll note, as Eugene sweats through his summer look, there's Negan. In leather. Barely sweating a drop.Courtesy of AMC.
Dwight
I dont know, man. I just dont know.Courtesy of AMC.
Sasha Williams
I guess its warm? I mean, everyone is definitely less layered than they were during the season premiere, as they all sat in a semi-circle shaking with fear in their jackets and over-shirts and long sleeves. Sashas even wearing short sleeves now!Courtesy of AMC.
Maggie Greene
Then again, heres Maggie, in long sleeves and an undershirt with no pit stains! Oh, to have that superpower.Courtesy of AMC.
Enid and Carl
I give up. Here are Enid and Carl on roller skates. Enjoy the midseason premiere on Sunday night. Ill be here, staring at everyones clothes and dejectedly muttering to myself.Courtesy of AMC.
