'The Walking Dead' fans think Rick Grimes could make a comeback in season 9 finale

Andrew Lincoln stepped down from the role last year

A number of The Walking Dead fans have a theory that Rick Grimes could make a return in the final episode of season 9.

The character, played by Andrew Lincoln, made his apparent exit from the hit show back in November – following speculation he would meet a gruesome end at the hands of the fearsome walkers. Soon after the episode aired, it was confirmed that Lincoln would be reprising Grimes for three new movies.

Now, as the current season draws to a close, many viewers are claiming that the character will make a last-minute return.

Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in ‘The Walking Dead’

A new image from the upcoming episode shows Josh McDermitt’s Eugene attempting to create a communications device to contact other communities. Fans are speculating that the make-shift gadget will be used to get in touch with none other than Rick Grimes.

Explaining their “crazy wild theory” on Twitter, one viewer posted: “What if Eugene gets that ham radio working and they hear Rick talking at the new place? Eugene can’t get it to transmit but the can listen. They know Rick is alive and set off on a search. I know, but still I liked it.”

Another fan commented: [The episode’s] ending will be them hearing Rick or something about Rick over the radio. I’m calling that shit rn.
I’m not ready though, fuck cliffhangers.”

See those posts and more below.

Andrew Lincoln quit the role of Rick Grimes to spend more time at home with his family. “It has been the most extraordinary, beautiful experience of my career,” he said of his time on the show.

Meanwhile, The Walking Dead‘s Norman Reedus recently discussed his desire for Daryl to remain in the series until the very end.

“I started the show and I’d like to bookend the show,” he said. “I’d like to be there when it ends. I just don’t know when the endgame is.”