The news that Andrew Lincoln was leaving The Walking Dead in Season 9 hit fans and the cast like a ton of bricks, and while everyone was shocked by the news, some handled it better than others. Enid actress Katelyn Nacon was not one of those who took the news with stride, and recently admitted she was originally very scared about the series' future. Nacon shared her initial reaction to the news in a recent interview, and how she was worried and happy at the same time:
For me, I was really scared because I was like, 'Oh, crap. Our show's going to go into the gutter.' But at the same time, Andy has been doing this show for so long and he has a family that he doesn't really ever get to see because they're in London. It's hard, you know? I'm happy for him because I'm happy that he can spend more time with his family, and spend more time in other endeavors and everything. But it was also hard, at the same time, to know that we were losing someone that has brought so much to the show and has really set a standard for everyone that works on this show. It was difficult.
Katelyn Nacon definitely wanted Andrew Lincoln to be able to see his family, but at the same time, she knew what that meant. A show losing its main star is often seen as the beginning of the end for even a successful series, and it's clear Nacon felt the show could be heading in that direction. Nacon told Comicbook she was so convinced the show was headed "into the gutter," that she began to pack her bags perhaps in preparation for the news that The Walking Dead would soon be ending.
Katelyn Nacon was sure The Walking Dead ride was over and continued packing. That is, until she stumbled upon a specific moment in the Season 9 script. That moment, which Nacon assured fans will know when they see Season 9, explained how the show moves on without Rick Grimes-- and that point was all it took for her to unpack her suitcase and prepare for seasons ahead. Nacon didn't share the details of that specific scene, but did describe it as "arresting," and something that convinced her the show still has a lot of ground to cover. The Walking Dead producers have confirmed in past interviews Enid will have a larger presence in Season 9, so perhaps this moment Nacon is referring to involves her character?
The Walking Dead fans will find out sooner than later, as AMC has pegged the show's Season 9 premiere for Sunday, October 7 at 9:00 p.m. For a look at what other shows are headed to television in the meantime, be sure to visit our summer and fall premiere guides. For more on The Walking Dead, read up on how the show will be different under the tutelage of new showrunner Angela Kang.
