When Andrew Lincoln announced his departure from The Walking Dead, it came as a real blow to fans of the AMC series. However, they were relieved to hear that his story would continue in a movie. Universal Pictures was set to release that (and Craig Zobel was in talks to direct), but it appears the pandemic has changed things as it's now going to be a limited series.
Lincoln and Danai Gurira shocked fans with an appearance in Hall H on Friday, announcing that The Walking Dead Universe's Chief Content Officer Scott M. Gimple will serve as showrunner for the series, with Lincoln and Gurira serving as executive producers.
The limited series will be released next year and run for a total of six episodes.
It's said that this latest spinoff will present an epic love story of two characters changed by a changed world. Kept apart by distance. By an unstoppable power. By the ghosts of who they were. Rick and Michonne are thrown into another world, built on a war against the dead...and ultimately, a war against the living.
Can they find each other and who they were in a place and situation unlike any they’ve ever known before? Are they enemies? Lovers? Victims? Victors? Without each other, are they even alive...or will they find that they, too, are the Walking Dead?
"Rick and Michonne are two of my favorite people and Danai and Andy are two of my favorite people," Gimple said in a statement. "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."
Lincoln adds, "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 Walking Dead] 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."
Gurira, meanwhile, said; "Michonne and this [The Walking Dead] 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."
We're definitely pleased each character's story will receive a proper ending, and expect this to serve as an epilogue of sorts to The Walking Dead after it wraps up with its final episodes.
Check out a teaser poster for the series below: