During a San Diego Comic-Con panel in Hall H Friday, The Walking Dead star Andrew Lincoln confirmed that he’s exiting the show in Season 9.
Boo-hoo-er!
“There seems to be an elephant in the room,” Lincoln told the audience, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
“This will be my last season playing the part of Rick Grimes.”
Gasps can be heard far and wide!
British star Lincoln has played the show’s starring role since its pilot. Rumors that he’s leaving the show began circulating in May. (AMC reportedly offered Norman Reedus “substantial compensation” to stay.)
It’s unclear how the series will send off its leading man. “I love this show. It means everything to me. I love the people who make this show. I’m particularly fond of the people who watch this show.” Lincoln said.
“I’m really, really excited about this season. No one is bigger than the story, and the story this year is unbelievable.”
But one thing has eluded this entire conversation. Why? Why is he leaving the starring role in cable’s most popular show?
Here is, straight from Andrew Lincoln’s mouth (via EW), the reason. And it’s one that we might have guessed at:
“I have two young children, and I live in a different country, and they become less portable as they get older,” Lincoln says. “It was that simple. It was time for me to come home.”
You will be missed Andrew… the show won’t be the same without you!
