Andrew Lincoln's Departure from The Walking Dead
Andrew Lincoln announced he would exit The Walking Dead after season 9. Lincoln stated his decision was driven by a desire to spend more time with his family in the United Kingdom. He filmed his final regular appearance in the series in 2018, with his last episode airing in November 2018. Lincoln's exit was planned years in advance to allow for a smooth transition. The Walking Dead is a horror drama series based on the comic book by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard. AMC, the network behind the series, confirmed Lincoln's departure as a creative choice to focus on new storylines. Lincoln later reprised his role as Rick Grimes in a series of three feature films produced by AMC Studios. Read more on Forbes
Contract and Financial Terms
Lincoln was one of the highest-paid actors on The Walking Dead during his tenure. Reports indicated his per-episode salary reached six figures in later seasons. His contract negotiations included clauses for potential future appearances in spin-off projects. AMC structured his exit to include a multi-film deal separate from the television series. The financial terms of the Rick Grimes films were not publicly disclosed by the production companies. Lincoln's departure allowed the show to redistribute screen time to other core characters. The Walking Dead franchise continued to expand with new series and companion shows on AMC.
Reasons Behind the Decision to Leave
Lincoln cited a need to be present for his children during their formative years. He expressed a desire to pursue roles closer to his home in the United Kingdom. Lincoln stated he wanted to avoid the long-term travel demands of a global television production schedule. The actor emphasized that leaving while the character was still popular felt like the right timing. The Walking Dead's narrative team planned a departure arc that gave Rick Grimes a definitive exit from the main series. Lincoln's decision was not linked to any reported conflicts with the show's creators or network. He later described the experience as the most important of his professional career.
Family and Personal Priorities
Lincoln has three children with his wife, Gael García Bernal, and they split time between the UK and the US. He stated that balancing a long-running television series with family life became increasingly difficult. The actor sought roles that would allow him to return home more consistently. Lincoln's choice reflected a broader trend of actors prioritizing family stability over extended franchise commitments. The Walking Dead production schedule typically requires months of continuous filming in Georgia, USA.
Andrew Lincoln's Career After The Walking Dead
Lincoln starred in the Rick Grimes films, which were announced alongside his departure from the series. The first film, titled The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, premiered on AMC in 2024. Lincoln served as an executive producer on several projects following his exit from the show. He took on a leading role in the BBC drama series "The Aftermath" and other UK-based productions. Lincoln's post-Walking Dead career focused on minimizing long absences from his family. The Walking Dead franchise continued to generate significant revenue for AMC Networks and its parent company. Deadline reported on the film release
New Projects and Production Ventures
Lincoln founded a production company focused on developing limited series and film projects in the UK. He has been involved in producing content that explores themes of survival and human resilience. The Walking Dead universe expanded with spin-offs such