While Andrew Lincoln, who has played Rick Grimes since the first episode of AMC’s The Walking Dead in 2010, is leaving his character behind during season 9, he doesn’t plan on leaving The Walking Dead family as he intends to direct future episodes.
Speaking to EW, Lincoln has said that he will be returning to season 9’s set in Senoia, GA shortly to “learn the directing ropes, with the plan of helming his own episode next season.”
“I’m going back,” Lincoln said. “I’m going back to shadow a director, and my intention is to direct next year.”
Source: IGN.com The Walking Dead: Andrew Lincoln Plans to Return…To Direct