How Andrew Lincoln Landed the Lead Role in 'The Walking Dead'
Andrew Lincoln was far from a household name back in 2009/10 when he landed the role of Rick Grimes in the now cultural phenomenon that is The Walking Dead.
Having appeared in a few major productions, Lincoln fit the mold of off-screen actor that the creator and initial showrunner Frank Darabont was looking for. He didn't want a big name in the limelight, but he certainly wanted someone that could act. And he certainly got it.
Lincoln explained that he'd been extremely lucky, based on his circumstances come audition time. "I hadn't slept for three days, and I was shell shocked. I had this apocalyptic chic that probably fitted the bill. I looked like I'd survived a zombie apocalypse."
Lincoln when on to explain exactly what Darabont was after. "Frank wanted the Gary Cooper of High Noon, a classical leading man, very moral, almost gentle and quiet. But he also wanted a family man, so the perfect storm of meeting someone who had just had his second child was really appealing to him."
Source: Comicbook
