Brace yourself for the biggest loss yet,Walking Deadfans.According toEntertainment Weekly, Andrew Lincoln, the hit drama’s original leading man, is set to exit the series in the upcoming ninth season. (AMC has not commented;Colliderwas the first to report the news.)Lincoln, 44, has starred as Rick Grimes since the series premiered eight seasons ago in 2010.According to Collider, Lincoln’s final run will last only six episodes.Want to keep up on the latest from PEOPLE?Sign up for our daily newsletterto get our best stories of the day delivered straight to your inbox.Gene Page/AMC“I can’t wait to see this next episode,”Lincoln toldEntertainment Weeklyafter the season 8 finale. “It’s really interesting. It’s very different in a good way. In an exciting way.”“It’s more reminiscent of the pilot than any other season that we’ve embarked on, which makes me very happy,” he added. “It’s a good time for it. It’s a really exciting time for it. I feel like season 1. It’s a big year, and I’m excited for it.”Lincoln’s impending departure comes amid a transitional period for the series. In addition to the exit of fellowTWDoriginal Chandler Riggs and, possibly,Lauren Cohan, Angela Kang is taking over the reigns from longtime showrunner Scott M. Gimple.The Walking Deadreturns to AMC in October.
Brace yourself for the biggest loss yet,Walking Deadfans.
According toEntertainment Weekly, Andrew Lincoln, the hit drama’s original leading man, is set to exit the series in the upcoming ninth season. (AMC has not commented;Colliderwas the first to report the news.)
Lincoln, 44, has starred as Rick Grimes since the series premiered eight seasons ago in 2010.
According to Collider, Lincoln’s final run will last only six episodes.
Gene Page/AMC

“I can’t wait to see this next episode,”Lincoln toldEntertainment Weeklyafter the season 8 finale. “It’s really interesting. It’s very different in a good way. In an exciting way.”
“It’s more reminiscent of the pilot than any other season that we’ve embarked on, which makes me very happy,” he added. “It’s a good time for it. It’s a really exciting time for it. I feel like season 1. It’s a big year, and I’m excited for it.”
Lincoln’s impending departure comes amid a transitional period for the series. In addition to the exit of fellowTWDoriginal Chandler Riggs and, possibly,Lauren Cohan, Angela Kang is taking over the reigns from longtime showrunner Scott M. Gimple.
The Walking Deadreturns to AMC in October.
source: people.com