Fans have been clamouring for some sort of major shake-up on AMC’s The Walking Dead for the past few years, with this genre favourite having lost its way a tad in recent times. Well, if the latest reports are to be believed, a huge, huge name could be about to depart the show during its next season.

As initially reported by Collider, Andrew Lincoln will be departing the series during the upcoming ninth season. Lincoln, of course, plays series mainstay and focal point Rick Grimes.

In addition to that, AMC has made an offer of what’s said to be “substantial compensation” for Norman Reedus to stay on as Daryl Dixon and take over as the lead character should Lincoln indeed leave the show.

It was only a few months ago that Lauren Cohan’s future was up in the air, particularly once the star – who plays Maggie in The Walking Dead – signed on for ABC’s Whiskey Cavalier pilot. That situation seemed to get settled once Cohan signed a new contract to stick around for The Walking Dead’s ninth season, although now Collider is reporting that both Cohan and Lincoln will only be appearing in six episodes of the next season.

For what it’s worth, AMC hasn’t commented on any of this at this stage, but expect more on all things The Walking Dead as we get it.

Safe to say, having two such huge characters as Rick and Maggie exit the series would be a major shake-up, even if it’s not necessarily the change-up that some fans have been called for.