Yesterday AMC held its annual Hall H panel for The Walking Dead at the San Diego Comic-Con, which it seems will be the last for Andrew Lincoln, who confirmed the reports that he is leaving the long-running zombie drama in its upcoming ninth season.
“This will be my last season playing the role of Rick Grimes,” said Lincoln. “I love this show, it means everything to me. I love the people who make this show. I’m particularly fond of the people who watch this show. I don’t want this to become an Oscar acceptance speech or a obituary. My relationship with Mr. Rick Grimes is far from over.”
Meanwhile, it was also announced that Samantha Morton (Minority Report) is joining the show as Alpha, the ruthless leader of The Whisperers. In the comic books, The Whisperers are a group of survivors who wear walker skins to blend in with the undead, and they are expected to serve as the main antagonists of the new season.
SEE ALSO: The Walking Dead season 9 gets a full trailer at Comic-Con
In addition to Morton, new cast members for season nine include Dan Fogler (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) as Luke, Nadia Hilker (The 100) as Magna, Eleanor Matsuura (Into the Badlands) as Yumiko, and Lauren Ridloff (Wonderstruck) as Connie.
