Originally posted Saturday, July 21, 2018 by RODNEY HO/rho@ajc.com on his AJC Radio & TV Talk blog
At San Diego’s Comic-Con, “The Walking Dead” released an extended season 9 teaser promo video. The show returns October 7.
Time has moved forward. Alexandria is in re-build mode. Maggie’s baby is born. Rick is helping the Sanctuary get back on its feet. “Bless you Rick Grimes,” one of the Sanctuary members says to him. There are scenes in D.C. shot in downtown Atlanta including inside of the Gold Dome, masquerading as a D.C. museum.
There are five linked communities, defined as HQ, Oceanside, Alexandria, Sanctuary and Toledo. The helicopter is hovering again.
Several of the season 8 regulars pop up in the trailer, including Michonne, Tara, Eugene, Rosita, Aaron, Jesus, Enid, Jadis/Anne and Gabriel.
Rick kept Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) alive in a prison cell. "Don't you ever get tired of acting like you're still in charge," Rick says to him. "Do you?" Negan replies.
Indeed, there are divisions within the ranks.
Maggie wants to lead. Rick’s closest ally Daryl, who is now on Maggie’s side, faces off against Rick.
On the bright side: Jerry has a girlfriend!
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There are a raft of new cast members for season 9 now with Chandler Riggs gone, Andrew Lincoln departing, Lennie James off to "Fear the Walking Dead" and Lauren Cohan perhaps leaving as well.
Emmy-nominated British actress Samantha Morton plays the leader of a group called The Whisperers.
Lauren Ridloff will play the first deaf actor on "The Walking Dead.' Given how zombies sneak up on folks, the fact she has survived up to this point is impressive. She was a journalist, according to the trailer.
Oh, and Brett Butler ( "Grace Under Fire") has her first big acting gig in awhile as a Hilltop resident. John Finn ( "Cold Case") plays her blacksmith husband. There will be Rhys Coiro ( "Encourage") as the inevitable rebel from the Sanctuary show can't quite get with the program. And Dan Fogler ( "Fantastic Beasts") joins the group as Luke, an outside survivor.
***
During Comic-Con, Lincoln finally admitted he is leaving “The Walking Dead” after nine seasons, news that leaked out weeks ago.
He was unhappy this got out.
"There is a certain sense of relief this morning," he admitted to Entertainment Weekly. "But I still regret that the story broke, because I believe in story and I think it would have been… it's gonna be a great season but it would have been greater if it was not spoiled to a degree."
Of course, we still don’t know how he leaves the show, be it some glorious death (likely) or exile or departure that leaves the door open to a return (less likely.)
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