The actor jokes about which character he would’ve played if he hadn’t been cast as Rick
Summary
– Andrew Lincoln says he would’ve liked to play Shane Walsh instead of Rick Grimes
– Lincoln joked that the reason was to “actually sleep with his wife,” referencing Shane’s affair with Lori
– The actor reflected on how different the series would have been if he’d taken Shane’s role
Andrew Lincoln will forever be remembered for bringing Rick Grimes to life on The Walking Dead, transforming the small-town sheriff into one of television’s most iconic survivors. But during a recent interview, Lincoln revealed the surprising character he would’ve wanted to play if he hadn’t landed the role of Rick.
When asked which character he’d choose, Lincoln laughed and admitted he would’ve liked to play Shane Walsh, the former best friend turned rival who Jon Bernthal portrayed. His reasoning was tongue-in-cheek: he joked that playing Shane would have let him “actually sleep with his wife,” referencing the storyline where Shane has an affair with Lori after believing Rick was dead.
The comment was made in good humor, with Lincoln clearly poking fun at one of the show’s most emotional plotlines. Still, it gave fans an interesting “what if” scenario — imagining Lincoln taking on the intense, conflicted nature of Shane instead of the stoic, moral leadership of Rick.
Shane’s story was much shorter-lived than Rick’s, with his descent into instability ending in tragedy when Rick was forced to kill him in Season 2. Lincoln noted that while he admired the character’s complexity, he was grateful for how Rick’s journey allowed him to evolve over nine seasons and become the emotional heart of the series.
Looking back, it’s hard to imagine anyone else leading the group through the apocalypse. Lincoln’s blend of humanity, grit, and heartbreak made Rick Grimes unforgettable — and fans agree that casting him in that role was one of the show’s best decisions.
