andrew lincoln

We’ve known for quite some time that Andrew Lincoln‘s Rick Grimes is slated to die in the upcoming ninth season of ‘The Walking Dead‘ and now we’ve learned that the actor is already planning to return for the ninth season. For fans that are hoping he has a fake death or that he could return in front of the camera as a walker or in a flashback, then you’re out of luck. Lincoln isn’t slated to return on camera but behind it!

“I’m going back. I’m going back to shadow a director, and my intention is to direct next year.”

Lincoln will be the third actor who is returning to the franchise as a director. Michael Cudlitz who played Abraham directed the upcoming episode “Stradivarius” which will air on November 18th and the sister show of ‘Fear the Walking Dead’ saw Colman Domingo direct an episode titled “Weak.”

If that pays off, he won’t be away for far too long. It should be noted that part of why he is leaving the show midway through Season 9 is because of his family:

“I have two young children, and I live in a different country, and they become less portable as they get older. It was that simple. It was time for me to come home.”

It sounds like his stay at home will be short-lived as he plans to return to the show at least behind the camera:

“I can’t be that far away because I can’t bear it. That’s how much I am invested in the show and the continuation of the story.”

While fans have long been invested in his story as well, lowered ratings might have to temper how well received his own shot at directing will end up being.

Are you happy that Andrew Lincoln will still be involved in the production of ‘The Walking Dead’? Do you feel that the show will still be able to hold onto its already faltering ratings with the death of Rick Grimes? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

Source: Entertainment Weekly