Walking Dead: Putting Rick Grimes in a new series is a disservice to fans

Rick Grimes is portrayed by British actor Andrew Lincoln in The Walking Dead series. He made quite the impact on viewers during the pilot episode that aired in October 2010 on Halloween night. Rick served as the leader of our survivors, and though he didn’t always make the popular decisions, he did what he thought was best for his family and the others who sought his leadership.

When it was announced that Lincoln would be leaving the series to spend more time with his family, the fandom mourned the loss of his character. With the series coming to a close this fall, fans want to see Rick back one more time, but will this wish become a reality?

Lincoln was spotted in Georgia before the final episode was wrapped. But, his time spent there was brief, and if he does make an appearance in the final season, it will be fleeting. Most fans agree that even a glimpse of Rick would be better than nothing. Only time will tell if viewers will get to see or hear of this character before the end of the series.

The Walking Dead – Rick Grimes

The final eight episodes of The Walking Dead series will begin airing in the fall of 2022. The closest we can guess for the AMC premiere date is the first weekend in October. It is hopeful that an announcement will be made soon, and with The Walking Dead reportedly making one last appearance at San Diego Comic-Con in July, we will most likely see one last trailer premiere at that event.

After the series is finished, there are several spinoff series that will keep the fandom alive. Tales of the Walking Dead will premiere its first season on August 15. Fear the Walking Dead will begin filming its eighth season this summer. Negan and Maggie will head off on their adventure in Manhattan in Isle of the Dead, which will also begin filming this summer.

There is also the Daryl spinoff that will be set in Europe. Fans have been excited by actor Norman Reedus’ teases about Daryl finding lost people during his adventures. This has led fans to think Rick will appear in this series.

But is that really the best thing that could happen? Do fans really want the Daryl and Rick show? Or do they want the promised movie trilogy that could expand The Walking Dead universe that is supposed to feature Rick?

If the creators would add Rick into a spinoff series with Daryl, why wouldn’t they have brought him back to the main series at end of season 11 and begin a new chapter there instead? He could be reunited with Judith, meet his son RJ and begin something new. Ideally, with Michonne at his side. He has been gone for quite some time and has no doubt learned much about the world outside of Alexandria and how communities are rebuilding the world.

This would be a great disservice to fans who have longed for Lincoln’s return to the flagship series. People will argue that 11 seasons is quite enough for a series, but I disagree. There is still so much story to be told because if there wasn’t, there wouldn’t be numerous spinoff series. The main series could see a massive overhaul and change up the tone and setting, making for an amazing reinvention of this series that the majority of the fandom doesn’t want to end.

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