ANDREW LINCOLN, WHO PLAYS RICK GRIMES, DETAILS HIS DECISION TO CUT OFF HIS CHARACTERS HAND

BY RAQCHEL

Andrew Lincoln, who plays Rick Grimes on AMC hit show The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, explains how he finally was given the go-ahead to come full circle with his comic book story arch after over 11 seasons of the series. The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live Rick Grimes starts as a consignee forced to clear out walkers at night for the CRM (a military force in Philidelphia who have him captured) under the watchful eye of CRM Lieutenant Okafor. Rick takes his trusty axe to help him clear hoards of walkers surrounding the field. Unlike the other consignees out clearing with him, Rick is tethered back to Okafor by wire to prevent him from escaping. Rick begins to take out walkers one by one before stopping abruptly and yelling that he has fallen and is looking for his axe. Rick bends down, whacking his hand off using his famous weapon of choice in a desperate plan to escape and be reunited with his family.

Speaking with AMC TWD: The Ones Who Live Cast Diaries episode one, Lincoln dished on his decision for the comic book iconic hand chop for his character. “Lincoln: I pitched for the hand to be chopped off. I thought it would be great. Rick loses his hand in the comic book. The fans are going to love it.” After being given the green light for his decision, Lincoln had a minor case of buyer's remorse. Lincoln had this to say: “ And then I did it, and then I just thought. Oh no, maybe I should have waited till episode six or something to do it. But, actually, I’m glad we did it. We wanted to show the lengths this guy had gone to in order to try and return to his love.”

Lincoln's discussion propelled Rick's character story forward and allowed for a full-circle comic-to-television moment. With only one hand, Lincoln had to find new ways of navigating filming on set. Lincoln added, “It's been very challenging working without a left hand. I did a stupid thing. We had this big long prosthetic, and I had this fight scene, and I didn't put anything under and got rashed. It's a bit embarrassing ‘cause I’ve got to wear a sort of silk ‘you shall go to the ball’ kind of ball gown glove before I put this prosthetic on. But you know, needs must.”

Source: AMC THE ONES WHO LIVE DIARIES EPISODE 1