Like all The Walking Dead spinoffs, The Walking Dead: Rick & Michonne sees a plethora of old and new actors join the cast. Based on the characters from Image Comics, The Walking Dead: Rick & Michonne spinoff is the seventh installment in The Walking Dead franchise and will follow the lives of Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne (Danai Gurira) as they try to find their way back to one another after he was presumed dead in season 9, episode 4, “The Obliged”. However, this won’t be an easy feat as there are several ‘enemies’, such as the CRM, are tracking their every move.
While the series sees Lincoln and Gurira reprise their roles as two of The Walking Dead’s best characters, they are also joined by some talented and versatile actors, who are making their debut appearance by playing a complex hero or nefarious criminal). Since all the spinoffs are interconnected in some way or another, The Walking Dead: Rick & Michonne series will also see some familiar faces appearing to help bring closure to Rick and Michonne’s story arcs.
Andrew Lincoln As Rick Grimes
Although Andrew Lincoln officially left The Walking Dead in season 9, he is back once again to reprise his role as Rick Grimes – a former sheriff’s deputy who became the leader of a band of survivors after the zombie outbreak. First rising to prominence after playing Edgar “Egg” Cook in the British sitcom, This Life, Lincoln found his niche in the drama genre, starring in several book-to-screen adaptations, such as The Woman In White (where he played Walter Hartright), The Cantebury Tales (Alan King), and Wuthering Heights (Edgar Linton).
He also gained notoriety after starring in Richard Curtis’ Christmas rom-com, Love Actually, portraying the photographer Mark, and the horror mystery, Afterlife, where he played Roger Bridge. While Rick is likely his biggest and most successful role, some may not know that Lincoln is also a BAFTA nominated director, having attained a Best New Director nomination for his work on Teachers.
Danai Gurira As Michonne
Danai Gurira will also be returning for The Walking Dead: Rick & Michonne spinoff to play the show’s other fierce protagonist, Michonne. Unlike her fellow cast member, Andrew Lincoln, Gurira left The Walking Dead after she told producers that she wanted to “devote more time to other creative endeavors” (via LA Times). This resulted in her character being written off the show in season 10, episode 13, “What We Become”, as she discovered that Rick was alive and was now going to find him.
While Michonne’s complex character arc has certainly allowed Gurira to show off her emotional versatility, the Katana-wielding hero isn’t her only memorable character. Along with The Walking Dead, Gurira has also been a mainstay in another successful franchise, portraying the Midnight Angel Okoye in MCU’s Black Panther, Avengers: Infinity War, Avengers: Endgame, What If…?, and Black Panther: Wakanda Forever. Gunrira has also received critical acclaim for portraying Afeni Shakur in All Eyez on Me and Richard III in Great Performances: Richard III. She has also proven herself to be a talented writer, as her play, Eclipsed, earned her a Tony Award nomination.
Pollyana McIntosh As Jadis Stokes/Anne
Also joining The Walking Dead: Rick & Michonne spinoff is Pollyana McIntosh, who will be reprising her role as Jadis Stokes/Anne. She is the former leader of The Scavengers, who quickly turned into an antagonist after she aligned herself with the CRM. Although she seemed to care about Rick and his group at the end of season 9, episode 4, “The Obliged,” especially after she saved him after the bridge explosion, The Walking Dead: World Beyond has since proven that Jadis/Anne’s loyalties lie with the CRM as she has no qualms killing anyone who defies their orders.
While Jadis has allowed McIntosh to show what an exceptional villain she can be, this isn’t the only memorable credit under her resume. Similar to The Walking Dead: Rick & Michonne cast member, Danai Gurira, McIntosh has proven herself to be a talented writer, penning the script to the horror film Darlin’ . McIntosh has also received critical acclaim for playing Queen Ælgifu in Vikings: Valhalla, Angel in Hap and Legend, and Clara in Lodge 49. The Walking Dead: Rick & Michonne actor has also experimented in the video gaming industry, lending her voice several characters in Forspoken, Middle-Earth: Shadow of War, and Dante’s Inferno.
Leslie Ann Brandt As Pearl Thorne
In March 2023, it was announced that Lesley-Ann Brandt would be making her Walking Dead debut in the Rick & Michonne spinoff. While not much is known about her character, it has been reported that will be playing Pearl Thorne. Like many of the Rick & Michonne cast members, Brant has several impressive credits in her filmography, playing the powerful demon Mazikeen in Lucifer, the assassin Larissa Diaz (otherwise known as Copperhead) in Gotham, Lamia in The Librarians, and Naevia in Spartacus: Gods of the Arena and Spartacus.
Rumored: Terry O’ Quinn As Major General Beale
Although it hasn’t officially been announced by the show’s producers, the website, CoveredGeekly, reported that Terry O’Quinn has joined The Walking Dead: Rick & Michonne cast to play antagonist Major General Beale (a ruthless and powerful figure, who has a lot of influence in the CRM). While The Walking Dead: Beyond has provided insight into the horrific crimes Beale has ordered/committed and the kind of relationship he had with his son, Mason, the Rick & Michonne spinoff will likely see him try to stop the eponymous heroes from returning home.
If these rumors are true, then Major General Beale will be in safe hands as Terry O’Quinn is a highly acclaimed and talented actor. Although he was initially cast as the likable John Locke in the sci-fi show, Lost (a role which earned him his first Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama series), O’Quinn later went on to play the chilling Man In Black, who would anything to get off of the island. He also received critical acclaim for portraying the terrifying Jerry Blake in The Stepfather franchise and Dale Lacy in Castle Rock. If he channels all the energy he gave those characters, The Walking Dead: Rick & Michonne actor has the potential to become the universe’s best villain.
Source: LA Times, CoveredGeekly
This story originally appeared on Screenrant
