Just days after it was announced that Andrew Lincoln (Rick Grimes) is leaving the cast of AMC’s The Walking Dead, it has now been confirmed that Lauren Cohan (Maggie Rhee) is also officially exiting the zombie drama in its upcoming ninth season.
There have been question marks over Cohan’s continued involvement in the show for several months now, since it was first revealed that the actress had turned down a new contract from AMC. She was subsequently cast in ABC’s new series Whiskey Cavalier, but was confirmed to return as Maggie for six episodes of The Walking Dead season nine. However, according to THR, no deal is in place for further appearances and she will instead depart the series in the first half of the season.
With two of its major stars heading for pastures new, AMC is looking to make Norman Reedus’ Daryl Dixon the focal point of the show moving forward, with Reedus said to have been offered a bumper $20 million payday to extend his contract.
The Walking Dead is set to return to AMC for its ninth season this October, with Angela Kang taking over as showrunner as the series attempts to put an end to its recent ratings decline.
