The Walking Dead season 9 spoilers: Daryl Dixon star drops HUGE Rick Grimes exit bombshell
THE WALKING DEAD season nine will hit television screens in a matter of weeks and ahead of its series premiere, Daryl Dixon star Norman Reedus has opened up about what fans can expect.
The Walking Dead: Andrew Lincoln stars in season nine trailer
The Walking Dead will return for its ninth outing and the new series will see Rick Grimes (played by Andrew Lincoln) depart the show.
It is not yet known how his exit will play out or when it will take place but that hasn’t stopped fans from speculating his departure.
Many believe Daryl will step up and take on the leadership role left by Rick while others are certain Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) will take over.
Now, actor Norman has spoken about the speculation, teasing the fall out from Rick’s exit.
Norman has insisted that Rick will not be replaced after his exit.
“I don’t think anyone’s gonna step and be Rick,” he explained.
“I think everybody on the show is gonna step up and elevate their game and fill that hole,” he told TV Guide.
“I know the internet’s like, ‘Screw Norman! Who does he think he is?’ but I’ve just got to sit there and go, ‘Huh, whatever.’”
Norman added: “Everybody sort of steps up to the plate.”
He went on to note that Daryl is one of the least likely characters to take over from Rick.
“He’s got that antihero, anti-leader thing going on, you know what I mean?” he said.
It comes after the first five minutes of The Walking Dead season nine, episode one was leaked online.
The first few scenes show Daryl may take on a more unexpected role in the new series.
He can be seen at the Saviors compound overseeing their work.
At one point, he is informed two members of the community are using a walker as a scarecrow and he’s not happy.
The clip appears to show that Daryl has everything under control - but how long will the peace last?
The official trailer for the ninth season shows Negan ominously teasing Rick, suggesting he won’t be held captive for too much longer.
He warns: “You’re not saving the world Rick.
“You’re just getting it ready for me.”
The Walking Dead season 9 airs October 7 on AMC.