In the gritty world of AMC’s The Walking Dead, the importance of appropriate footwear is not to be underestimated, and Andrew Lincoln, who portrayed the iconic character Rick Grimes, took this notion to heart. Throughout the series, Lincoln was dedicated to making Rick’s character authentic, to the extent that he wore the same pair of cowboy boots even when the cameras weren’t rolling.
According to Matthew K. Manning’s 2021 book, The Art of AMC’s The Walking Dead Universe, Lincoln’s commitment to the role led him to continuously wear these boots, which posed a challenge for the production team. Executive producer Denise Huth noted that the initial plan was modest, as they only had one pair of these boots. Given the unpredictability of a long-running series, the lack of multiple pairs became evident as the show progressed.
Lincoln’s insistence on wearing the boots at all times, unless a scene required him to be barefoot, highlighted his dedication to the character. Costume designer Eulyn C. Hufkie had to manage the unique demands of maintaining the well-worn footwear, which had already been used prior to their acquisition by the show. Producer Jolly Dale recalled Lincoln’s determination to embody Rick Grimes fully, saying, “Unless it was scripted that he was barefoot, there was no such thing as casual Rick.”
After nine seasons, Lincoln departed from the main series to spend more time with his family. The writers crafted an exit for his character, revealing that Rick was taken by the mysterious Civic Republic Military (CRM), leaving fans eager for answers throughout the show’s 11-season narrative. Lincoln made a surprise cameo in the series finale and is set to return in the upcoming limited series, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live. During its announcement at San Diego Comic-Con 2022, he humorously noted, “I personally can’t wait to get my cowboy boots back on and get the gang back together.”
The Ones Who Live is part of a broader expansion of The Walking Dead universe, which also includes spinoffs like The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon and The Walking Dead: Dead City. The latter has successfully paired characters Maggie and Negan in a thrilling adventure across an undead Manhattan. With both Dead City and Daryl Dixon renewed for additional seasons, the future is looking promising for fans who crave more stories from this post-apocalyptic world.
Lincoln’s return to the franchise promises to reignite the passion and excitement among the dedicated fanbase, as they eagerly anticipate what lies ahead for Rick Grimes and the larger narrative of The Walking Dead universe.