'The Walking Dead: World Beyond' Episode 1: Here's why central character Rick Grimes won't appear in the series
Spoilers for 'The Walking Dead: World Beyond' Episode 1 'Brave'
Even ahead of 'The Walking Dead: World Beyond' release date that was confirmed during this Comic-Con@Home 2020, much discussion revolved around the appearance of Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln), the integral 'The Walking Dead' character who was taken by away by the Civil Republic Military (CRM) in Season 8. While the shadowy organization gets a solid introduction in 'Brave', it also hints at how the series will solely focus on the battle between the teens and CRM with the empties pitching in with the horror element.
This also means a Rick Grimes appearance looks unlikely as the series plotline revolves around the teen sisters — Iris (Aliyah Royale) and Hope (Alexa Mansour) — heading out of the closed Omaha community in search of their father who is at the Civil Republic. With their friends, Elton (Nicolas Cantu) and Silas (Hal Cumpston), the four leave the not-so-relative safety of the community as it is seen that the CRM commander, Elizabeth (Julia Ormond), authorizes the death of the members in the place as they are ruthlessly killed.
Leading to speculations about what happened to Rick? Was he aware the CRM were cold-blooded killing machines? Or was he already killed? The theory about his death can be discarded as there is news of a Rick movie in development already. Furthermore, the series has a solid storyline in itself with the main characters each coming in with promising story arcs that leave less room for a Grimes cameo. However, there might a name-drop at some stage in the series.
With Rick missing throughout 'The Walking Dead' Season 10, the idea is to see if 'World Beyond' fills up that space as it gives us a glimpse of the key character. And counting a solo movie in the works, maybe 'World Beyond' could serve as a prelude to Rick's journey that may also answer about his connection with CRM better. In a related storyline, the 13th episode of TWD saw Michonne (Danai Gurira) finding evidence that Rick was alive as she discovered his boots and his phone on a boat. Michonne sets off to find Rick leaving more room for a discussion.
For now, we don't have to expect a cameo from either Rick or Michonne anytime soon in 'World Beyond'.
'The Walking Dead: World Beyond' airs on Sundays at 10 pm ET on AMC.