The fabled Rick Grimes Walking Dead movies seem to have now finally bitten the dust, but the story of Rick and Michonne will still play out in a new limited series announced at The Walking Dead San Diego Comic-Con panel. Just when it looked like hope of fans getting to see where Rick’s journey went after leaving the main franchise, actor Andrew Lincoln made a surprise appearance with Danai Gurira at The Walking Dead panel to a standing ovation to make the announcement that next year Rick Grimes will finally return to screens.
The Walking Dead comes to an end this year with eight final episodes that will see the zombie series shuffle off this mortal coil. However, several spin-offs have already been announced, including this year’s Tales of The Walking Dead, Negan and Maggie series Isle of the Dead and the unnamed Daryl series. It seems though that no one was prepared for today’s reveal that Rick and Michonne will see their stories come to an end in another spin-off series that will arrive on AMC next year.
Dan McDermott, president of entertainment and AMC Studios for AMC Networks, told the Comic-Con crowd:
"This is a moment fans of The Walking Dead have been waiting for since Rick disappeared in the helicopter early in season nine, and Michonne journeyed away on a quest to find him the following season. What a great surprise for the fans at this final Comic-Con for the series that launched this universe and made television history. We couldn't be more excited for a truly epic series finale later this year and to see Andy and Danai return in a new series they helped create, one of three new series coming in 2023 that continue the stories of so many iconic and fan-favorite TWD characters."
The Rick Grimes Saga Finally Has An End In Sight
Expanding on the details of how the latest developments came about, Scott Gimple, chief content officer the Walking Dead universe, explained that the return of the two characters is something that has been a dream come true. He said:
"Rick and Michonne are two of my favorite people and Danai and Andy are two of my favorite people. Working with all of them continues to be a dream come true. The three of us, along with a terrific team of TWD all stars and incredible new voices, are crafting an insane love epic worth the long, long wait."
Andrew Lincoln added, “This has been the most extraordinary journey playing Rick Grimes for the best part of a decade. The friendships I've made along the way are deep and lasting, so it's fitting that I finally get to complete the story with Danai and Scott and the rest of the TWD family. I'm so excited to be returning to the screen as Rick, reuniting with Danai as Michonne, and bringing the fans an epic love story to add to the Walking Dead Universe."
Danai Gurira concluded, “Michonne and this TWD family has meant so much to me, and to continue the journey of these beloved characters, alongside Scott and Andy, both creatively and in front of the camera, and bringing The Walking Dead fans something truly special is just glorious. I can't wait to pick up the katana again."
After a four year wait, 2023 will finally see Rick Grimes back on screens to bring his and Michonne’s Walking Dead stories to a conclusion, but not before The Walking Dead airs its final episodes starting October 2, 2022.