Danai Gurira Says There’s “No Replacing” Andrew Lincoln On The Walking Dead

AMC will struggle to find a leading man quite like Andrew Lincoln. Or so says Danai Gurira.

The Walking Dead actress was in attendance at San Diego Comic-Com 2018 to herald season 9’s trailer and premiere date. Exciting though that may be, there was naturally an air of bittersweet emotion hanging over Hall H, as The Walking Dead‘s ninth season will also be Lincoln’s last.

That’s right, after eight years and more than 100 episodes as the gun-toting sheriff, Andrew Lincoln is calling it quits, and he’s bringing Lauren Cohan (Maggie Rhee) along with him. Details of their swan song are being kept under lock and key – you know, aside from that early October premiere date – but now that Lincoln’s exit is officially official, Gurira has shared a heartfelt Twitter message to honor the actor’s legacy, and even went so far as to say that there’s “no replacing” Andrew Lincoln and his staunch hero, Rick Grimes.

We’re not crying, you’re crying!

I truly believe Andrew Lincoln is the best leading man on TV. He has made us all better with his leadership, dedication, heart, and generosity. I couldn’t be thankful enough for the time I’ve gotten to work with him and learn from him. It’s been an honor, sir. #SDCC #TWDFamily pic.twitter.com/r23gfkid7n

— Danai Gurira (@DanaiGurira) July 24, 2018

So, there you have it; The Walking Dead and Andrew Lincoln are going their separate ways, and the show’s core cast even engaged in a group hug at SDCC ahead of that final episode. Make no mistake, folks, Rick’s days are numbered…

The Walking Dead season 9 officially shuffles back onto the small screen October 7th, and we understand Andrew Lincoln will appear in just six episodes of the 16-episode installment. That tells us that Rick Grimes may well be done and dusted by the time AMC’s juggernaut enters its winter hiatus, but we’ll keep you right up-to-date as this story develops.