With The Walking Dead finale approaching, could Andrew Lincoln be returning as Rick Grimes for the final episode? Here’s what we think.
The Walking Dead is quickly approaching its series finale and we all have one burning question that’s been left unanswered: will Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) make his return to the show?
The Walking Dead premiered way back in October 2010. From the pilot, the story centers around Georgia deputy, Rick Grimes, when he awakens from a coma to… You guessed it, a zombie (or more appropriately, walker) apocalypse. From the get-go, Rick is our all-American hero. We desperately root for him to find his family again, cheer when he daringly escapes the decaying clutches of doom, and for comic fans, anticipate Rick’s (darker) development as the story progresses.
Based on Robert Kirkman’s comic series of the same name, post-apocalyptic-horror The Walking Dead found its home on AMC in 2010. The show has picked up quite the following across the globe, continuing to build a shared universe with several spin-offs, including: Fear The Walking Dead, The Walking Dead: World Beyond, and the recently announced Isle of the Dead – starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Lauren Cohan – to name a few. With the future looking bright for The Walking Dead, we can’t help but hope to see familiar faces reprise their roles for the last few episodes.
Former leading man Andrew Lincoln sent millions of fans’ minds into overdrive last month. While filming for the final season is underway, Lincoln has been spotted in Atlanta, Georgia with co-star, Norman Reedus, who plays crossbow-wielding fan-favorite, Daryl Dixon, just an hour from the show’s shooting location. Now, this outing could very well be one of many things: a catch-up between pals? Likely, since Reedus has currently yet to wrap. A pure coincidence? Less likely considering Lincoln’s ties to the area, but we won’t hold our breath so soon. Our biggest theory, however, is that Lincoln is back in the Stetson.
Much to everyone’s surprise, Lincoln announced his departure from the series in May 2018. This cut Rick’s journey tremendously short. Lincoln’s final appearance on The Walking Dead is season 9’s fifth episode ‘What Comes After’, where his character is seemingly killed; instead, he is found and taken away in a helicopter to an unknown location. That exact night, following the episode, AMC announced their plans to proceed with a Rick Grimes feature-length trilogy. As Lincoln’s exit from the series was left ambiguous and open-ended, the confirmation of his return provides some satisfaction for proper closure.
Unfortunately, COVID-19 has proven to a be major setback for the development of these anticipated movies. As of July 2021, there has allegedly been multiple scripts drafted but none have come into fruition. However, Lincoln’s presence in Atlanta might be a sign that things are changing. Though he may not be emerging on the big screen anytime soon, it is widely speculated that Rick Grimes will at least make a cameo appearance in the season finale. How could this all come about? It’s hard to say. There’s been no indication within the storyline that the group will miraculously come across Rick again.
As the series draws closer and closer to a conclusion, we can only be optimistic about Lincoln’s outing in Atlanta. The actor has previously expressed interest in reprising his television counterpart on AMC – outside of the films, of course. With much hope, there is nothing coincidental about his recent Georgia trip.
Do you think that Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) will be returning for The Walking Dead finale?
About The Walking Dead
Based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman, this gritty drama portrays life in the months and years that follow a zombie apocalypse. A group of survivors travel in search of safety and security, constantly on the move in search of a secure home. But the pressure each day to stay alive sends many in the group to the deepest depths of human cruelty, and they soon discover that the overwhelming fear of the survivors can be more deadly than the zombies walking among them. At times, the interpersonal conflicts present a greater threat to their continuing survival than the walkers that roam the country.
The Walking Dead will conclude with the end of season 11 in 2022.
Jenna is a Film and Visual Culture graduate and freelance entertainment writer from Scotland. Her passion lies with TV and horror, where she will take any opportunity to geek out. Jenna spends her free time binging shows and looking to be spooked.