It goes without saying that Rick Grimes is among the most iconic characters to grace TV this century. Originally a comic book legend, leading Robert Kirkman's The Walking Dead, he made his way to the screen in AMC's TV adaptation in 2010. It took just one episode for the world to know that history was being made as Andrew Lincoln brought Rick to life in a world that had died long ago, and that history lasted for over a decade.
Rick would find his family, protect survivors, and ultimately become the leader of a huge group of people struggling to make it in a world overrun by the dead. He would go on to take on enemies, find solutions, and ultimately build a home for these people over the course of nine seasons of The Walking Dead. But Lincoln's departure from the series in 2018 didn't mark the end of Rick's story. Even though the show continued on without him for many years, he would eventually return - to both that series and the TWD Universe.
If you have reached that point in the series and would like to know when Rick returns, here's what you need to know.
Rick returns to The Walking Dead in season 11, episode 24
Although Rick Grimes' last appearance in The Walking Dead came in season 9 episode 5 - when the bridge overrun by walkers collapsed and he appeared to die in the explosion - he would return before it all ended. Yep, Andrew Lincoln made a surprise appearance in the season 11 finale, titled "Rest In Peace" - which also served as the series finale - appearing in the closing moments to ensure that fans knew there was still more of his story to tell.
After the episode's primary conclusion, which brought an end to The Walking Dead's overall storyline, it cut to an epilogue that showed where Rick and Michonne were after their respective departures. Michonne was still looking for Rick, while he was attempting to escape the Civic Republic Military. Although the villains seemingly caught up with him, referring to him as "Consignee Grimes", Rick delivered a sinister smirk - something that all TWD fans know highlights how he's not to be trifled with.
While Rick never managed to get involved with the final storylines in the main series (such as taking on The Whisperers, the Reapers, or the Commonwealth), it was imperative that he return in the series finale... even if it was just for a cameo appearance. After all, he was the lead of the show for its first nine seasons and many still consider him the face of the franchise. And it wouldn't have made sense to conclude The Walking Dead without an appearance from him - especially when his fate was the only major unresolved arc from the show.
Remember, all of his friends and family believed Rick to be dead. They weren't aware that he survived the explosion or that the CRM kidnapped him. We knew that he was alive all these years, but we didn't know where he was or what he was forced to do as part of that movement. The return in the series finale gave us a glimpse of that while also setting up the conclusion of Rick's own story - a conclusion that would take place on a sequel series years in the making.
Andrew Lincoln continued Rick's story in spinoff The Ones Who Live
The primary purpose of Rick Grimes and Michonne's returns in the series finale of The Walking Dead was to ensure that two of the show's most important characters appeared in the final ever episode. But it also served as a reminder that their story wasn't finished and a set up for the continuation of that story.
Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira returned to the TWD Universe to headline spinoff series The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live. A six episode miniseries, the idea had been in the works for years - as far back as Lincoln's departure from the original series - but it was originally designed as a trilogy of movies. Due to a number of factors, including the pandemic and the overall changes in the TV industry, the idea evolved into a spinoff show - one that would run alongside fellow TWD sequel shows Daryl Dixon and Dead City.
Gurira had left the original series in its tenth season as Michonne went off to search for Rick after discovering that he might still be alive. So their love story was always going to continue at some point down the line. Intertwining Gurira and Lincoln's exits and having them built towards the spinoff was a work of genius, and it made its eventual arrival all the more worth the wait. We weren't just seeing two TWD legends back in action, we were seeing the heartfelt culmination of their love story - one that had been a part of audiences' lives for a decade.
As Lincoln had left the original series due to the long seasons and year-round filming schedules, the six-episode spinoff was much easier to commit to. It also opened up the doors for future short-term returns - especially as all of the ongoing TWD spinoffs range from 6 - 8 episodes per season.
Although The Ones Who Live wrapped up Rick and Michonne's storyline, bringing them back to their family and friends in Alexandria, there are some loose threads yet to be wrapped up (reuniting with Daryl, Carol, and Maggie; seeing Negan's growth from villain to ally), there are also potential opportunities to bring them back for new storylines down the line too. After all, there is no end in sight for the TWD Universe at this point in time.
In fact, Lincoln has teased another comeback, recently revealing that there are discussions about another potential return to the TWD Universe in the not-too-distant future. So Rick Grimes' story may well continue for some time. And, needless to say, we're all very happy about that.