The Walking Dead: Yes, Andrew Lincoln IS Leaving!

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The rumors are true, The Walking Dead Fanatics!

Andrew Lincoln is officially leaving the hit zombie drama during The Walking Dead Season 9!

Well, we knew that, but there was no OFFICIAL word. 

Comic book creator, Robert Kirkman took part in an interview with Kevin Smith and was asked whether the rumors about Lincoln's looming exit were legit, and he gave the following answer:

"It's looking that way," he said, according to The Hollywood Reporter

"It does make the differences between the comic and the show more pronounced," Kirkman continued, saying that Rick that is very much present in the comic books.

"But at the end of the day, it's all about Andrew Lincoln. This is a human being. This is someone I have known for almost a decade, somebody that I love. He's been sweating in Georgia, away from his family, for so long."

Related: The Walking Dead: Which Original Star is Returning?

In all honesty, the news is unsurprising when you consider the fact that Collider ran a story in May which stated that Lincoln would be in half-a-dozen episodes of The Walking Dead Season 9 before bidding adieu to the series for good. 

There's no question about whether it will change the dynamic of the show.

Rick has been an integral character since The Walking Dead Season 1 Episode 1, so it's going to be very different. 

The good thing about his exit is that we know Jon Bernthal is staging a comeback, so we're surely going to get some flashbacks of Rick and Shane before their friendship fell apart. 

Lincoln's departure comes mere months after Chandler Riggs exited as Carl Grimes. Fans freaked out about that big exit, so there's no telling how they're going to react to the loss of Rick. 

On top of that, Lauren Cohan will likely be parting ways with the show during the upcoming season. Her ABC show, Whiskey Cavalier, landed a series order for 2019 at ABC. 

Lauren Cohan Attends Event

While some of the key players are leaving, we do know that some new characters are making their entrance during Season 9. 

Per Comicbook.com, Wonder Woman scene-stealer Eleanor Matsuura has been cast as the comic book character, Yumiko

Related: The Walking Dead Shocker: Andrew Lincoln Poised to Depart

Meanwhile, EW has confirmed that Fantastic Beasts star, Dan Fogler, has joined the AMC thriller, but details of his role are being kept under wraps. 

Okay, The Walking Dead Fanatics!

What are your thoughts on all of these changes coming to the series? Is it time to end it?

Hit the comments below. 

Remember you can watch The Walking Dead online right here via TV Fanatic.

The Walking Dead returns in October. 

Paul Dailly was an Associate Editor for TV Fanatic.Follow him on X.

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