Though one might assume that the likes of Andrew Lincoln and other key members of The Walking Dead (see: Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride) cast tune in to AMC’s flagship on a regular basis, the British actor recently admitted that he doesn’t watch the show at all.
It’s not uncommon for actors to purposely dodge the content they’re in, and Andrew Lincoln is no exception. While discussing all things The Walking Dead with TV Insider, including that historic 100th episode and Negan’s villainy, the series stalwart conceded that he stays clear of TWD when it’s showing on AMC, particularly those scenes involving Rick Grimes in “old-age makeup.”
Lincoln is, of course, referring to the flash-forward that placed his Rick on a hospital bed. Sporting a great big bushy beard and some uncanny makeup, this Old Man Rick scene has fuelled debate across the four corners of the Internet ever since, and it seems we may not get all the answers we so crave in The Walking Dead‘s season 8 premiere, “Mercy.”
Pegged to arrive late next month, “Mercy” is said to be the show’s “most ambitious episode” yet, which goes some way to explaining its super-sized running time. On the topic of Old Man Rick, though, Andrew Lincoln stressed that the underlying story surrounding season 8’s flash-forward is being kept under lock and key.
Per TV Insider:
It’s top secret, of course, and it’s thrown a real curveball at the fans. I’m choosing to ignore the whole thing. I couldn’t even look at myself in the old-age makeup. Couldn’t bear it. I don’t watch the show at all. I am allergic to my own face.
The Walking Dead season 8Â kicks off on October 22nd, and it’ll seemingly start as it means to go on.
