Andrew Lincoln’s exit from The Walking Dead explained

After confirming his imminent exit from The Walking Dead during the show’s panel at Comic-Con, star Andrew Lincoln opens up on his reason to walk away from the show.

As it turns out, Lincoln had been thinking about when he would eventually be leaving The Walking Dead for some time.  According to him, it had been on his mind as far back as season 4 after a conversation with former showrunner Scott Gimple.

"Well, nine years I was thinking about it because that’s [U.K.] where we live. But I suppose it was a lot to do with a conversation that Scott and I had a few years ago, maybe in season 4, about the shape and finding some way to complete something that was never going to be completed. And then, obviously, not disturbing the mothership, y’know? There was a certain sense that this story has a man waking up and you experience this world through this one man’s eyes and it opens up into the extended family.More from AMCThe Walking Dead Universe receives 3 Saturn Awards nominationsCreepshow season 4, episode 4 recap: “Meet the Belaskos” and “Cheat Code”Fear the Walking Dead makes TVLine’s 10 Worst Shows of 2023 ListThe Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Danai Gurira stuns at this year’s Academy Museum GalaLet’s discuss The Walking Dead: Dead City location change rumor"

While Lincoln’s confirmation at Comic-Con was certainly a sad moment for The Walking Dead fans, it was hardly a surprise.  Rumors about him leaving the show began circulating a couple of months ago and haven’t stopped since, so the fans have pretty much been seeing it coming.

Norman Reedus has even been rumored for a massive pay raise in an effort to fill the void that would be left by Lincoln.

Interestingly enough though, Lincoln has also admitted that he wished fans could’ve experienced Rick’s leaving as it happened rather than finding out about it ahead of time.  This is a sentiment that has been echoed by fans since rumors of Lincoln’s departure started coming to light a couple of months ago.

Next: Trailer for The Walking Dead season 9 gets Comic-Con premiere

Of course, The Walking Dead doesn’t exactly have the greatest track record with keeping major plot points a secret in the past, so the idea of them being able to keep this one under wraps for close to a year feels greatly unrealistic.

Season 9 will begin airing sometime in October.

Do you agree with Lincoln’s reasons for leaving The Walking Dead?  Tell us your thoughts in the comment section.