Andrew Lincoln’s Top 10 Rick Grimes Performances In The Walking Dead

The Walking Dead changed both the horror genre and zombie stories with its focus on character-driven drama. While there were ups and downs in The Walking Dead‘s 11 seasons, the show’s biggest strength was always its ensemble cast. Heading the characters is the iconic Rick Grimes, and Andrew Lincoln’s portrayal of the former sheriff made both of them household names.

The best Walking Dead characters often had a significant plot arc, being unrecognizable from their first episode by the time the main show ended. One of these is Carol Peletier, but another is Rick, who wakes up in an apocalypse but ends up becoming a symbol of hope. Even though Rick does not appear in all the Walking Dead spinoffs, his presence is felt, thanks to Lincoln’s memorable performance.

Rick Meets Morgan

The Walking Dead Season 1, Episode 1, “Days Gone Bye”

When Rick wakes up in the aftermath of the Walker apocalypse, we have very little context. Shortly after seeing him in his sheriff’s outfit for the first time, he appears to kill a child. This scene gave The Walking Dead one of the most shocking openings in a TV show, and it told viewers that the makers were not afraid to be controversial.

Rick’s confusion and growing horror as he discovers the changed world is hard-hitting, but his best scene is when he meets Morgan and Duane, who explain the situation. Lincoln goes through several different emotions during that one relatively short scene, subtly revealing details about Rick’s resilience when he quickly starts to adapt, asking questions and making plans.

Rick Rages At Alexandria

The Walking Dead Season 5, Episode 15, “Try”

Rick is not the most stoic character in The Walking Dead; in fact, he is unafraid to show emotion. That said, he is rarely angry, and this makes it even more disconcerting when he truly rages. The season 5 episode “Try” shows an out-of-control Rick, fighting the complacency of the Alexandria residents. Lincoln is fantastic in this scene as he turns up the tension.

Of all the Walking Dead communities, Alexandria was infuriating, promoting harmony while ignoring the domestic abuse occurring. When Pete starts a fight, Rick’s authority turns to righteous anger before transforming into something more disturbing to watch as he points his gun at the residents. Lincoln shows Rick’s deteriorating mental state while keeping the balance between realism and psychological horror.

Putting Down Sophia

The Walking Dead Season 2, Episode 7, “Pretty Much Dead Already”

Rick doesn’t always make the best decisions, especially in the early seasons, when his group is still learning about the Walkers. Leaving Sophia behind is understandable, but it leads to tragedy. Most of season 2 deals with the search for Sophia, with the ominous barn in the background. When the undead Sophia finally emerges after the other Walkers, it’s Rick who puts her down.

Lincoln gives one of his best layered performances here as Rick Grimes. His horror at seeing Sophia walking out of the barn and his empathy for the distraught Carol are emotive enough, but the close-up of his face as he decides to shoot shows him changing as a character. From that moment, Rick regularly makes tough decisions for the group.

“This Isn’t A Democracy Anymore”

The Walking Dead Season 2, Episode 13, “Beside The Dying Fire”

Rick Grimes is one of the most quotable characters in The Walking Dead, and something that makes him such a good leader is that, unlike Negan and The Governor, he does not seem to enjoy the role much. These two features come together with Rick’s chilling speech at the end of season 2, in which he tells the group, “This isn’t a democracy anymore.”

This is one of Rick’s best quotes in The Walking Dead, as it comes from such a long and painful storyline for him. For many other characters in the show, killing Shane and taking control would have been the moment that they turned into a villain. However, Lincoln’s delivery of the line just about keeps the viewer on his side.

Confrontation with Major General Beale

The Ones Who Live Season 1, Episode 1, “Years”

Image via AMC

By the time the Walking Dead spinoff series The Ones Who Live arrived, we were used to seeing Rick as the leader. While Rick does not appear in every Walking Dead spinoff, many characters are still influenced by meeting him, so we do not anticipate the way his character has changed. Lincoln is a very different version of Rick here.

Lincoln plays Rick as a troubled and subservient man as he talks to Major General Beale (Terry O’Quinn.) Unlike the Rick we have seen so far, Lincoln’s new version calls the Major “sir” and listens in horror rather than anger as he describes a mass murder. While Rick is a multifaceted character who usually has a plan, the change in him is still disconcerting.

Rick Rips Out Joe’s Throat

The Walking Dead Season 4, Episode 16, “A”

One of the few things that is guaranteed to drive Rick to violence is threatening his children. That said, the way he dispatches the sadistic Joe is surprising but satisfyingly brutal. When Joe and The Claimers kidnap some of Rick’s group and start to sexually threaten both Michonne and Carl, Rick bites into his throat, severing his artery.

Lincoln nails the combination of terror, fury, and disgust at Rick’s desperate move, even during an extremely dark scene. Joe’s death scene was shot at night, with plenty of backlighting as Lincoln spat a mouthful of fake blood into the air. The way he strikes is a great contrast to the Walkers’ shuffling and one of Rick’s best moments in The Walking Dead.

Reunion With Judith

The Ones Who Live Season 1, Episode 6, “The Last Time”

Of all the Walking Dead characters who change most from beginning to end, Rick is one of the most striking, and he is one of the characters that viewers wanted to see a happy ending for. While most of Lincoln’s best moments as Rick Grimes are explosive and violent, his reunion with his family shows he can be subtle, too.

The scene would have been a challenge for any actor, with many ways to play it. Rick’s reunion with his family is not just a happy moment, but a painful one. While Michonne sprints forward, Rick hangs back, reminding the audience that the loss of Carl is probably still on his mind. His performance is a perfect and bittersweet ending for the show.

His Reaction To Lori’s Death

The Walking Dead Season 3, Episode 4, “The Killer Within”

The moment when Rick finds out Lori has died has become a meme that is arguably more famous than the scene. However, this does not do Lincoln justice, as the scene is one of the most gut-wrenching in The Walking Dead. As Maggie and Carl emerge, looking traumatized and bloodstained, Rick repeatedly asks, “Where is she?”

Lincoln clearly shows that Rick knows deep down that something went horribly wrong with the birth, but is trying to make it untrue. The combination of love for his new daughter and grief for his wife is heartbreaking to watch. While many deaths permanently change Rick in The Walking Dead, this scene is the reason that Lori’s is the most memorable.

Rick Leads Alexandria To Victory

The Walking Dead Season 6, Episode 9, “No Way Out”

The Battle of Alexandria is not only one of the best live-action battles in TV history, but one of Rick’s greatest moments because Lincoln is at his best when he has to portray several warring emotions at once. Rick goes from grief over Jessie’s death to horror at Carl’s missing eye, and then to resolve as he heads out to take on the Walkers.

The entire episode is an emotional roller coaster for the viewer from the moment the group fails to escape once the Walkers detect Sam and his family. Though Alexandria appears to be up against impossible odds, Rick’s actions define him as a character. Additionally, Rick’s exhaustion and relief at Carl’s survival give Lincoln even more to do here.

Negan’s Line-Up

The Walking Dead Season 6, Episode 16, “Last Day On Earth”

By the time Rick meets Negan, he is one of the most powerful characters in The Walking Dead. While the episode “Last Day On Earth” is controversial, it contains Lincoln’s best performance as Rick Grimes. We have seen Rick helpless and afraid before, but this has usually been due to the Walkers or an impossible dilemma.

Negan is the first human who frightens Rick to this extent. During the now infamous line-up, during which two characters die terribly, we understand Rick’s fear despite the fact that Lincoln does not speak until around nine minutes into the scene. Lincoln has some great lines as Rick Grimes, but his best performance in The Walking Dead is done through his expressions.