Game of Thrones and Westworld notwithstanding, AMC’s The Walking Dead is arguably the one show that comes with a ‘spoiler warning’ with each passing episode, as the Powers That Be attempt to clamp down on the many twists and turns that befall Rick Grimes and his ragtag crew.
Hell, during season 8, the network even withheld key information from its core cast, as Chandler Riggs only found out about Carl’s impending death at the 11th hour.
Now that Riggs has bid farewell to The Walking Dead (and had his say on Andrew Lincoln’s own departure), the young actor spoke candidly about the moment when then-showrunner Scott M. Gimple revealed to him that his days on AMC’s zombie flagship were numbered.
I found out — we got the script for episode six, when [the bite] was supposed to happen. We were doing rehearsals for it and then, after the rehearsals, [The Walking Dead executive producer] Scott Gimple brought me in and then told me. He said, ‘That’s why you kind of act weird after you trip, because [the bite] happens.’
Those comments were made during Riggs’ appearance at Fandemic Tour Sacramento this past weekend (h/t ComicBook.com), and despite his sudden exit, he holds no ill feeling toward Scott M. Gimple or The Walking Dead, in general.
But you know, regardless, it was great being on the show. I definitely miss being a part of it, but being able to go and do other roles and do so many other things I wasn’t able to do when I was on the show was really, really cool.
The ninth season of AMC’s Walking Dead saga will begin this October, and only then will we understand the full extent of Rick’s exit. And Maggie’s, too!
