Andrew Lincoln’s playful jealousy of Jon Bernthal’s role in The Walking Dead stems from the complex dynamics of their characters’ relationship.

In The Walking Dead, based on Robert Kirkman’s gripping comic series, Andrew Lincoln takes on the role of the tough and tenacious Rick Grimes. However, with a blend of humor and honesty, the actor, 51, once revealed his playful envy of Jon Bernthal’s character, Shane Walsh. Lincoln joked about Shane’s boldness in “actually sleep[ing] with my wife”, referring to Lori Grimes, played by Sarah Wayne Callies.

Andrew Lincoln’s Rick and Bernthal’s Shane in The Walking Dead | Credit: AMC

For those new to the chaos, Rick is the fearless leader and former sheriff’s deputy, constantly grappling with survival and moral dilemmas in a world overrun by zombies. Shane, once Rick’s best friend, turns into a rival as he pursues Lori (Rick’s wife), under the assumption that Rick is dead. This chaotic love triangle leaves Lori caught between loyalty and her tangled emotions.

Rick Grimes has been a key character since Season 1. After leaving in Season 9, he made a grand return for the series finale in 2022.

The Funny Reason Andrew Lincoln Wanted Jon Bernthal’s Role

Love is a battlefield, and in the zombie apocalypse of The Walking Dead, it certainly is! Before we got to know the nefarious villains like the Governor and the baseball bat-wielding Negan, the series was already delivering heart-stopping drama, mainly through the tangled love story of Lori Grimes (Sarah Wayne Callies) and Shane Walsh (Jon Bernthal).

So, let’s set the stage. After a criminal’s escape lands Rick Grimes, played by Andrew Lincoln, in the hospital, he wakes up to a world turned upside down. Meanwhile, Lori and her son Carl (Chandler Riggs) are trying to navigate this nightmare alongside Rick’s former partner, Shane Walsh. With Rick presumed dead, Shane and Lori start bonding.

Sarah Wayne Callies and Chandler Riggs in The Walking Dead (2010) | Credit: AMC

Lincoln couldn’t resist teasing about his character’s tough luck. During a chat about their time on The Walking Dead, he playfully expressed his envy of Bernthal’s role. Why, you wonder? Because Shane had the ‘privilege’ of “actually sleep[ing] with my wife.” When asked which role he’d love to take on The Walking Dead, Lincoln quipped (via Instagram):

I might have to be Shane. Because then I get to actually sleep with my wife.

Nothing like a little humor to ease the tension in a love triangle surrounded by flesh-eating monsters!

After leading the show for nine action-packed seasons, Rick’s departure in Season 9 set the stage for future storylines. However, he eventually returned for the series finale.

Why Did Rick Grimes Bid Adieu to The Walking Dead?

Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead | Credit: AMC

Now, why did Rick Grimes, The Walking Dead’s heroic sheriff, hang up his hat? Well, Andrew Lincoln, a dedicated dad to two young children, faced the grim reality of balancing fatherhood with a demanding filming schedule in Atlanta. As he put it (via EW):

I have two young children, and I live in a different country, and they become less portable as they get older… It was that simple. It was time for me to come home.

With Rick’s exit in Season 9, the show experienced a seismic shift. Suddenly, the spotlight had to shift from the rugged leader to the remaining survivors.

Despite the mixed reviews for Seasons 7 and 8, the show maintained an impressive average score of 79% on Rotten Tomatoes, thanks to the solid foundations laid in the first six seasons. Moreover, the series garnered a slew of nominations, including the prestigious Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series—Drama.

The sixth spin-off and the seventh entry overall in The Walking Dead franchise, The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live, was released in February 2024.

The Walking Dead is available to stream on Netflix.