Spoilers for The Walking Dead Season 7 finale follow.
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The war has begun. The Walking Dead is headed to one of its most explosive, action-packed seasons in its now eight year history and it will do so while adapting the biggest arc in its source material’s history.
With only a few weeks left until Season 8 begins production, Rick Grimes actor Andrew Lincoln tells ComicBook.com he is more excited than ever to get back to the set and bring the fight to Negan.
“I’m more excited about this season and this is not – I’m not blowing smoke – than anybody,” Lincoln said. “This is so real. I am ready to go. I can’t wait. It’s going to be insane this season.”
UP NEXT: Lincoln On Rick Possibly Losing His Hand
When Season 8 premieres in October of 2017, it will do so with the 100th episode of the series, running all the way through to 115 assuming the show continues with its 16-episode season format. As for what’s in store for the coming season in terms of Rick and company’s journey, Lincoln is fairly tight-lipped but promises the show is aiming to bring its greatest episode ever.
“This is when we do a panel, I look to my right and let [showrunner] Scott Gimple answer that,” Lincoln said. “I know, you know, that we are going to have to come and bring one of the greatest episodes we’ve ever attempted, and we’re going to start the season with it. And, it will be the hundredth episode, which is one of the greatest. I never thought when we started this thing seven years ago – eight years ago it will be when we air. And, I never thought that we would get to, you know – I was very happy with one season. I was very happy with the pilot. Let alone, a hundred episodes, a hundred hours more because of the extended episodes. It’s a huge milestone and, you know, it will be a big deal because there’s a lot of the crew and a few of the cast left that have trudged all of those hard and sweaty and bloody miles together. So, it’s a huge achievement and I know I’m sure, Scott Gimple, four years ago, had it planned that we would be starting a full-scale war on the hundredth episode. I like to think he’s that much of a boy scout: always prepared.”
When the Dead reclaim Sunday nights, they will do so by picking up where the epic Season 7 finale left. “[Negan] said, ‘Boys, we’re going to war,’ or something like that,” Lincoln said. “I mean I think that – I don’t think we’re that literal, but I think that there’s a very strong chance that we’re going to pick up where we left off. I don’t think that that’s breaking news.”
MORE WALKING DEAD: Why Rick Will Never Bow To Negan Again / When Does TWD Season 8 Premiere? / Finale Ratings Reach Five-Year Low / Why TWD Changed An Iconic Comic Death For Finale / Watch The Talked About Scene From The Finale / Importance Of Daryl’s Wooden Figurine Revealed / Behind-The-Scenes Photos Of All Out War
The Walking Dead will return for its eighth season in October of 2017. The first trailer will arrive at San Diego Comic Con in July. For complete coverage and insider info all off-season long, follow @BrandonDavisBD on Twitter.
