Andrew Lincoln will apparently be quitting The Walking Dead during the TV show's next season, according to Entertainment Weekly, confirming news first reported by Collider. The loss will be heavy for the AMC show, since the actor plays Rick Grimes, one of the main characters, and has starred in the show since the very beginning. The American TV network is yet to comment on the news.
Rick Grimes will return in season nine. However, according to Collider, he will only stay for six episodes -- a radical decision for Andrew Lincoln, who apparently wants to focus on his movie career.
Fans have already said goodbye to one of the show's main characters with the death of Rick's son, Carl Grimes (Chandler Riggs), in season eight. Andrew Lincoln's departure would leave a void at the show's lead, but this could provide Norman Reedus, who plays Daryl Dixon, with an opportunity to step further into the spotlight in the zombie show. Indeed, AMC has apparently offered him generous financial compensation to fill the void. According to Deadline, the actor has signed a new $20 million contract for his role.
As for Lauren Cohan, her future as Maggie remains uncertain, although her character is signed up for the six first episodes of season nine. The actress is also set to take a starring role in a new series on order for ABC, called Whiskey Cavalier.
Despite a drop in audience figures, The Walking Dead is still one of US TV's hit shows, drawing 7.9 million viewers for the season eight finale, April 15.
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