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Comic-Con: Andrew Lincoln to exit 'Walking Dead' in upcoming Season 9

SAN DIEGO - Andrew Lincoln is walking off into the undead sunset.

In a Friday panel at Comic-Con for AMC's popular zombie drama "The Walking Dead," the British actor, who stars as the series's conflicted leader Rick Grimes, confirmed reports of his impending departure in the show's ninth season, premiering Oct. 7.

"This will be my last season playing the part of Rick Grimes. I love this show, it means everything to me. I promise not to cry – I've done enough crying onscreen," Lincoln said. "I’m particularly fond of the people who watch this show. This has been the most extraordinary, beautiful experience of my career, mostly because of you guys." But "I don’t want to turn this into an Oscar acceptance speech or an obituary. We’re deeply proud of the work we’ve done this season."

A trailer for the new season reveals a time jump in which Maggie (Lauren Cohan) has finally had her baby, and bat-wielding psycho Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) is being kept in a jail by Rick. "He's in a bit of a predicament, and he's having to face some stuff he's never had to face before," Morgan said. "He likes to talk, so it's important people come to visit him."

Fan favorite Norman Reedus. who plays Daryl Dixon, says "Walking Dead" "feels like a frickin’ Western this year; it's great."

Samantha Morton joins the cast as Alpha, a character from the comic books, and Lincoln will showcase a fresh look in his final season:  a gray beard and a short haircut.

"He’s been through a lot of stresses and strains," Lincoln said. "He’s had a tough time, so he has a tough haircut. My horse really likes my hair, even though other people don’t."

He blames a crew member, who told Lincoln he looked like a country singer. "And I said, 'Rick Grimes never looks like a country singer. Get the buzz cut out.' "