Rick Grimes’ return to the world of The Walking Dead is a long time coming, and with AMC’s Rick and Michonne spin-off, The Ones Who Live, he’ll finally be back in action, though he may look a little different — or, a little more like his comic book counterpart.
When the main character of the drama-filled zombie apocalyptic show left in season nine, episode five, “What Comes After,” fans weren’t sure what to make of the future of The Walking Dead and Rick as he was ambiguously rescued by a mysterious helicopter while everyone else assumed his death. Andrew Lincoln had left the show because he wanted to spend more time with his family in England but had promised to return to the character in a Rick Grimes Walking Dead movie trilogy envisioned by Scott Gimple, announced in 2018 following his departure. However, after COVID and changing AMC executives put a halt to production, the movie idea was scrapped in favor of a six-episode limited series that would follow Rick but also Danai Gurira’s Michonne and her quest to find him years later, detailed as “an epic love story.”
In the final moments of the main Walking Dead show’s series finale, new scenes of Rick Grimes and Michonne gave glimpses at what was to come, but AMC has been delivering teasers since New York Comic Con in 2023, ramping up hype for the February 25 premiere date. And if Reddit fans (via u/neekatnight) weren’t 100% on board with Rick potentially losing his hand from the sneak peek and first look, the final trailer, released January 25, has lent a hand in turning the tides. Speculation started when Lincoln’s left hand was noticeably more difficult to see or fully out of frame. However, screenshots of the detailed recent trailer and how Rick maneuvers killing walkers — resting a stake on his left arm instead of using both — may be all the confirmation fans need. The leaked call sheet from May 2023, which was full of hints, might’ve been ahead of its time.
For non-comic readers, Rick went through much of his story without his right hand, getting it cut off in Issue #28 by The Walking Dead villain named The Governor as punishment for not giving up the location of his camp. Despite Lincoln advocating for the plot line, it never came to fruition on TV screens due to filming practicalities for action sequences. Also, The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman initially argued against it, saying that if he could change one storyline in the comics, it would be cutting Rick’s arm off. There’s no doubt having to CGI away Lincoln’s hand would’ve also proved costly for the $3 million budget per episode, but The Ones Who Live‘s high episode budget of $13.7 million and limited episode run might help to factor in a green screen price tag.
Considering Rick adjusting to life with one hand was a significant character arc in the Walking Dead comics, fans wonder how this may play out on screen. While some believe it may be a punishment for trying to run from the big bad CRM and its leader, Major General Beale (Terry O’Quinn), others say they do it to save him from a bite, quite literally forcing his hand in working with them. Either way, despite the limited views of Rick in the trailers, it’s surprising AMC even gave audiences some of these revealing glimpses that hold heavy implications, as if the show’s long-awaited arrival wouldn’t be overanalyzed. Perhaps the surprise will come in how he loses it and Rick Grime’s ability as a fighter as he grapples with the loss.
While fans wait for The Ones Who Live to air on AMC and AMC+ on February 25, 2024, they can catch The Walking Dead can be streamed on Netflix, Pluto TV, and AMC+, along with its subsequent spin-offs.
