Back in the spin-off “The Ones Who Live”, Rick Grimes left the series “The Walking Dead” during the ninth season.
After more than five years of absence, Rick Grimes finally returns to The Walking Dead universe via the spin-off The Ones Who Live. Absent since his surprise departure during season 9 of the horror series, the latter no longer reappeared in the program with the exception of a cameo in the final episode broadcast in December 2022.
Very seriously injured, Rick Grimes was considered dead by many of the heroes of the series following the explosion of a bridge caused to neutralize a huge horde of walkers. Viewers nevertheless learned that the latter was secretly helicoptered to an unknown destination, at the instigation of the former villain Jadis.
AMC
An unexpected departure
Several heroes of The Walking Dead have never accepted Rick’s death. In particular his friend Daryl, who has since gone on his own adventures in France. Or his companion Michonne, who went looking for him after the discovery of a clue confirming that the former sheriff is still alive despite the eight years that have passed since his disappearance.
But why did Rick Grimes disappear from the series, especially since he appears in the comic book until the very last volume? It was not a script choice, but a decision taken by the character’s interpreter, Andrew Lincoln.
However, this departure was not motivated by professional concerns, but for family reasons. Filming for The Walking Dead takes place most of the year in Atlanta (in the state of Georgia), a region particularly known for its hot and humid climate that is sometimes very difficult to bear.
AMC
The clue that convinced Michonne to go looking for Rick Grimes
Back home
As for him from London, Andrew Lincoln wanted to leave the series in order to spend more time with his family. “I have two young children, I live abroad, and it was becoming more difficult to move them now that they have grown up” he detailed to our colleagues atEntertainment Weekly. “It was that simple. It was time for me to come home.”
The British actor and the production of the horror series therefore parted ways on good terms. It was also quickly announced that Rick Grimes will make his return to the cinema in a film The Walking Dead, a project ultimately modified to take the form of a trilogy of TV films.
But numerous postponements, notably due to Covid, finally saw this spin-off see the light of day in the form of a mini-series entitled The Ones Who Live. Remember that two other spin-off series have also been released: Daryl Dixon with Norman Reedus, and Dead City which features the improbable duo formed by Maggie and Negan.
Episodes of the series The Ones Who Live can be watched every Friday exclusively on Paramount+.
Discover the list of series currently available on the platform!