The Walking Dead: Andrew Lincoln Leaving the Show!

[SPOILERS AHEAD]

Another original member is on the cards to exit the long running show, leaving only Melissa McBride (Carol) and Norman Reedus (Daryl) remaining from the original cast. It's reported that Daryl will be elevated to centre stage in place of Rick which would spell a welcomed return to the spotlight for a character which for many fans has been demoted to the peripheries of the series for too long. Rumours abound that Reedus will be taking a substantial pay rise to become the hero of the show.

Dwindling ratings, storyline demands or Lincoln's own motivations - which of these is principally responsible for the departure of the show's biggest role is as of yet still unknown, however Collider reports that the manner in which Rick leaves is not set to be a result of character death but that he will "walk away from the show" by the time Season 9 completes. The Walking Dead indeed...

It is believed that Rick will make an appearance on only six episodes of Season 9, and we expect this to be drawn out over the entire series, probably slowly and painfully, as is the style we have come to expect.

Lauren Cohan (Maggie), another veteran of the show, also has a questionable future with TWD, as contractual turmoil and playing the lead in another show, comedy Whiskey Cavalier, suggests that she may also be moving on to pastures new. Let's just hope it's not back to that fucking farm from Season 2! Collider reports that Maggie will also only appear in six episodes of Season 9. What do we think are the chances that Cohan and Lincoln will share their terminal episodes?..

It has certainly been challenging sticking with the show in recent seasons, particularly since more episodes than not have had lashings of eye-rolling and exacerbatory huffing inducing buffoonery, and I am not alone in making multiple, and subsequently broken, vows to never watch the show again. Yet I still come back for more.

Whether or not this shake up will mark a return to former glory for the show or will be a last ditch effort ahead of it's ultimate demise is yet to be seen.