The Walking Dead  panels at New York Comic Con always wow the fans. Last year it was news of a crossover character, this year Angela Kang announced the return of three fan favorites in Season 9.

The NYCC panel included showrunner Kang, producers Scott Gimple, Robert Kirkman, Dave Alpert, Gale Ann Hurd and Greg Nicotero. And stars Andrew Lincoln, Norman Reedus, Melissa McBride, Danai Gurira, and Jeffrey Dean Morgan. Everyone wore a replica of Rick Grimes sheriff hat. 

The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead panel at NYCC 2018. Courtesy of fanfest.com

The panel started with everyone praising Lincoln’s performance as Rick Grimes throughout the years. Reedus gave the most emotional tribute saying he and Lincoln would eat lunch together everyday. Now he doesn’t know what to do with himself. Kirkman said Lincoln made him feel like he wasn’t trying hard enough in the comics. 

Lincoln had a lot to say as well. He talked a lot about how the fans have made his experience special, especially at the cons. He wanted to stay extra hours to make sure everyone got a hug. Lincoln mentioned that in his last scene he had to laugh. Apparently Lincoln puts himself in a zone before filming. And according to the cast,  you don’t want to bother him in that zone. So when he had to laugh in his last scene, he felt Nicotero and Reedus tickling his feet. Lincoln also said he has watched his first episode of TWD, and it was the season nine premiere. He also said he will miss the cast and crew of TWD and the fans the most. 

So, back to the big news. Someone asked McBride who she’d like to bring back from season one. Her answer was Shane Walsh. What a coincidence, Kang announced that Jon Bernthal, Scott Wilson, and Sonequa Martin-Green will be returning in season 9. Obviously they will appear in flashback sequences.  

https://twitter.com/TheWalkingDead/status/1048734873089978368

Other news from the panel:

  • McBride is excited to work with people she hasn’t gotten to work with yet, including Gurira
  • Gimple says it’s breathtaking seeing the Whisperers on screen.
  • Morgan says we will see a different side of Negan this season. Gurira joked that he talks less this season.
  • Angel Carl was spotted in the crowd with a sign that says, “See you soon dad”

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The NYCC TWD audience was treated to the entire season premiere to end the panel

That’s it for the 2018 NYCC The Walking Dead panel. It is Lincoln’s final con appearance for The Walking Dead. This really is a bittersweet premiere for two reasons: Lincoln’s departure and the passing of Scott Wilson. Just a few hours after the end of the TWD panel, it was announced that Wilson died due to complications with leukemia. The entire TWD family has express their sorry and gratitude for Wilson and his role as Hershel Greene.

The Walking Dead premiere Sunday October 7 on AMC.

 

 

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