Check out the Comic-Con trailer for the ninth season of The Walking Dead

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

During The Walking Dead panel at San Diego Comic-Con, an extended trailer was released which shows off the upcoming ninth season of the long-running AMC series. As someone who has slowly become less and less interested in the series over the past few seasons, I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed what AMC is showing off here. The time-jump allows for a much more run-down looking world to take center stage, and the survivors are forced to use horses and buggy's now that gasoline is likely much more scarce. We're also introduced to a slew of new Walking Dead characters, including Lauren Ridloff as Connie, the show's first deaf character and seasoned survivor who is "deft at using her senses to read people, situations, and trouble," as well as Dan Fogler as Luke, a fatigued survivor who understands that there's safety in numbers.

Andrew Lincoln, who has starred as Rick Grimes since the very beginning of the series, also took the opportunity to officially confirm that the ninth season will indeed be his last. "I want to say something, because there seems to be an elephant in the room," Lincoln said. "This will be my last season playing the part of Rick Grimes. Now hear me out, please. I love this show. It means everything to me. I love the people that make this show. I promise not to cry, I’ve done enough crying onscreen." Calling his time on The Walking Dead "the most extraordinary, amazing, and beautiful experience of my career," the actor added that his "relationship with Mr. Grimes is far from over. And a sort of large part of me will always be a machete-wielding, stetson-wearing, zombie-slaying sheriff deputy from London, England." The Walking Dead comic creator Robert Kirkman would spill any details on how Rick Grimes will exit the series, only to say that "We’ve got something amazing planned. I wouldn’t want to spoil anything, but anybody who’s been a fan of his journey, who loves Rick Grimes, who loves the world of The Walking Dead, you’re going to want to see what we do."

The ninth season will also introduce us to The Whisperers, a group who manage to survive in the wild by wearing skin suits made of human flesh which allow them to blend in with the walkers. Samantha Morton (FANTASTIC BEASTS AND WHERE TO FIND THEM) will play Alpha, the leader of The Whisperers and one of the most iconic villains from the comic series. The Walking Dead will return to AMC on October 7, 2018.