This Sunday, Andrew Lincoln will make his final appearance on The Walking Dead, which means it’s also the last time fans are going to see Rick Grimes.
The former Deputy Sheriff was our entry point into the show some eight years ago and, while various characters have come and gone in the time since, and Rick himself has been through a number of changes, he has remained a dependable presence at the very heart of the show - until now.
Related: Walking Dead Star Reveals Last Scene Andrew Lincoln Filmed
Ever since Lincoln’s departure was announced, there’s been a question of who’ll step up to replace him. That’s only going to intensify now that the hour of his departure is upon us, with a number of potential candidates - but the best way to replace Rick is to not actually try to replace him at all.
- This Page: Rick's Departure From The Walking Dead
- Page 2: Why Rick Can't Be Replaced
Rick Is Leaving The Show Soon
The hour of Rick Grimes’ exit from the show is upon us. There’s no going back, no changing-of-minds (for now, at least, though Lincoln seems certain he’s done for good): Rick is gone.
We don’t know yet whether that means death, either at the hands of walkers, a new villain (Rick certainly doesn't look well in the promos), or one of his frenemies, or if they’ll find a way of writing a more ambiguous, open-ended departure. Whatever happens, Lincoln wants a long break after so long in Atlanta, for new opportunities and to spend time with family. So even if it’s the latter option, we’re not going to be seeing him again.
Popular Choices For The New Rick
The Walking Dead does have one advantage: with a number of existing characters seemingly well-placed to take the lead. Lauren Cohan’s Maggie would be the best-suited story-wise, but since she’s leaving too (even if she might return), she’s not a viable option at the minute. Still, there are a few others.
Related: Norman Reedus Thought Daryl Was Going To Kill Rick
Chief among these is Norman Reedus’ Daryl: when Lincoln’s exit was first reported, it was combined with stories of a bumper pay rise for Reedus. The actor himself has said he isn't the new Rick, but he was the show’s most popular character at its peak, back when "if Daryl dies we riot" was a common refrain. While he’s taken more of a backseat in recent years, season 9 is giving him more to do again, perhaps to try and build him back up as a potential lead.
A better option might be Michonne. Not only is she Rick’s romantic partner, but his leadership one too. It’s safe to assume she’ll be hit extremely hard by his exit, meaning there’s more emotional storytelling to do with the character, and she’s right there to fill the power vacuum, while Danai Gurira is an increasingly big name.
Another popular choice would be Carol who, alongside Daryl, will be the only Season 1 character left once Rick goes. She’s had some remarkable development over the years, perhaps more so than anyone else, and Melissa McBride is consistently one of the show’s best performers.
Last and most intriguingly, there’s Negan. There’s long been an argument that the show always saw him as the main character - it felt that way during All Out War - and now he could step up further. Jeffrey Dean Morgan brings bags of charisma, and it already looks like they want to turn Negan into more of a good guy, which is in keeping with Carl’s vision.
Page 2: Why Rick Can't Be Replaced
Rick Is Irreplaceable
While it’s clear that there are characters who could be given a push into the spotlight, the problem is that none of these characters are, well, Rick. Rick Grimes has been the constant since the very beginning: it’s him we follow through the hospital and into this new world, him we discover other survivors alongside, him we watch lead the fight against humans and walkers alike. We’ve seen him love and hate, win and lose. We've seen his children grow up, and one of them die.
It is, above all, his story. That might now be at an end, but you can’t suddenly give someone more screen time and consider that enough to make them a replacement for the show's protagonist. Not only would it not work, because the show up to this point has been so intrinsically linked to Rick Grimes and his family, but it would inevitably invite unfair and negative comparisons for whoever does step up.
The Walking Dead Doesn't Need A New Rick
Rick's departure is a huge loss for the show, and it’s unclear just how well it’ll survive without him. On the other hand, however, it should be seen as an opportunity to do something The Walking Dead’s long been moving towards anyway: a true ensemble show.
Related: The Walking Dead: Rick's Last Episode Trailer Teases Shane's Return
With Michonne, Daryl, Carol, Negan, Maggie, and other core characters, the show has a solid foundation upon which it can build. With less focus on Rick, The Walking Dead can give each of these ensemble characters a little more screen time, without the pressure of suddenly having to turn someone else into the "main" character.
What’s more, there’s also a chance to give more development to characters who need it. Jesus having more involvement is long overdue, for example; Gabriel has already shown improvement; Rosita has a lot more to offer; Siddiq can be given more to do; then there are a number of newbies to add to that mix too once both the Whisperers and Magna’s group arrive. With so many characters in play - perhaps too many, really - it’s tricky to have such a singular focus AND ensure others get enough time. By removing the former, the latter should, in theory, be easier.
Episodes can move easily between locations, from Carol at the Sanctuary to Negan and Michonne at Alexandria to Jesus at Hilltop and so on. Installments can be nicely broken up this way, meaning they don’t drag and you cut down on filler as you can keep each storyline moving distinctly, while coalescing into the broader series arc too.
With a well fleshed-out ensemble, The Walking Dead can still have the character-centric episodes that have been attempted in the past (with mixed results), without simply devoting an entire hour to, say, Tara's escapades at Oceanside. Game of Thrones and, at its peak, Orange is the New Black both provide good templates for how to juggle sprawling casts and a number of different storylines. Even something like Band of Brothers demonstrates the strength of this model: including most of its characters in any given episode, but telling the story through the lens of one specific character and changing it up for the next one.
Rick’s going to leave a lot of story and screen time unfilled, so better to divide that up rather than give it all to one person. It eases the burden, but also it marks the show out as being distinctly different from the Rick era, and a fresh start, while honoring his legacy, is the only way to move forward without him.