The Walking Dead: Andrew Lincoln Says Rick Grimes' Death Won't Affect the Show

Andrew Lincoln, better known to millions as Sheriff Rick Grimes in AMC's hit series Walking Dead, says the show will survive even if his character is killed.

The 40-year-old British actor talked about his character's possible death during a media conference in Singapore. He was joined by co-star Norman Reedus, who plays Daryl Dixon, to promote the show, which is well known for killing off major characters.

"I've always maintained that if and when I die, which is an inevitability in the show… as long as it pushes the story on, I'll go with it," Lincoln said.

However, Lincoln says this won't happen any time soon.

"I don't want to go just yet," he added. "In the next eight episodes, you'll see a very different tone, pace and you'll be rewarded by it as well.

"It's almost like a magnifying glass on the rest of the survivors," he continued. "It's a really different back eight and if we continue to keep doing that, he [Grimes] has got a few years left."

Last year, a fan asked comic book writer/executive producer Robert Kirkman whether the group could survive if anything happened to Grimes.

"Yes, absolutely. We've been saying that no one is safe on this show, and I wouldn't rule out seeing the death of Rick Grimes at almost any point," he replied.

"We really like to keep people guessing, and I could definitely see some interesting stories coming from that," he added.

During an interview with Rolling Stone last year, Lincoln said he loves how his character has evolved from season to season.

"I love playing Rick because he's changed so much. The world has changed him so much," he said. "It is a truly rewarding role and continues to be.

"The moment I think we're repeating ourselves, then I'll start thinking about other things. But if the writers keep pushing him into different places to play the whole spectrum of the man, then I'd be more than happy playing it until my time is done. Until they bite me."