How Andrew Lincoln Paved the Way for Norman Reedus to Earn $1 Million Per Episode for The Walking Dead 

You’ve probably watched The Walking Dead at some point. It’s hard to avoid with all the drama, action, and zombies. But let’s talk about what happened when Andrew Lincoln, the lead actor who played Rick Grimes, left the show.

He’d been a part of the show since the very first season, but in 2019, after 9 seasons, Lincoln decided it was time to go. And guess what?

This decision ended up changing everything for Norman Reedus, aka Daryl Dixon, the other fan-favorite character on the show. But why did Andrew Lincoln leave in the first place? Let’s dive into each and every detail. 

Andrew Lincoln’s Exit Boosted Norman Reedus’ Earnings

When Andrew Lincoln, aka Rick Grimes, left The Walking Dead after season 9, things shifted dramatically. Lincoln had been the main character from day one. His exit meant that the show had to find someone else to lead the pack.

Enter Norman Reedus, who plays Daryl Dixon, the crossbow-wielding survivor who had built a massive fan base over the years. Before Lincoln left, Reedus was making $350,000 per episode, which is a lot by most standards (via Style Caster).

But when Lincoln stepped away from the show, Reedus was promoted to the main character. And to keep him on board, AMC bumped his salary up to a whopping $1 million per episode—more than what Lincoln was making at the time.

It was a pretty clear move to keep Reedus happy and motivated, and it paid off. The fans loved Daryl, and he was a perfect fit as the new leader of the group. So, while Lincoln’s departure was sad for fans, it created a huge opportunity for Reedus, both as an actor and in terms of his paycheck.

Why Did Andrew Lincoln Leave The Walking Dead?

So, why did Andrew Lincoln decide to leave The Walking Dead after nearly a decade? It wasn’t because his character, Rick Grimes, got bitten or killed off (although that would’ve been dramatic). The real reason Lincoln left the show was to spend more time with his family.

You see, Lincoln is originally from the UK, and filming The Walking Dead takes place in Georgia, which meant he was away from his family for months at a time. With two young kids at home, Lincoln realized that it was getting harder to juggle his personal life and work. As he said (via EW):

I have two young children, and they 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.

While it was a tough decision, Lincoln’s exit gave the show a chance to shake things up and shift focus. And while fans were upset, they understood that family comes first. His departure also set the stage for Daryl’s rise as the new main character.

Norman Reedus’ Salary in Comparison to Other Cast Members

Now, let’s take a quick look at how Norman Reedus’ salary stacks up against his fellow Walking Dead cast members. We know Reedus was making $1 million per episode after Lincoln left, but how does that compare to others?

First, there’s Melissa McBride, who plays Carol. The character has been with the show since season 1, and while we don’t know her exact per-episode pay, it’s been reported that she signed a $20 million deal over three years (per Style Caster). That’s a huge amount, but it still doesn’t quite match Reedus’ salary.

Then there’s Danai Gurira, who played Michonne. She’s been a big part of the show and is also known for her roles in the Marvel movies, like Black Panther. There were rumors that AMC was negotiating a new deal for her, but she ultimately left the show after season 10 to focus on other projects.

Her exact pay is unclear, but it’s likely she earned a solid amount before she left. Lastly, Lauren Cohan, who played Maggie, had a more public battle over salary during her exit in season 9.

Cohan wasn’t happy with her pay offer for season 9, and the drama surrounding her negotiations became a big topic. Eventually, AMC agreed to pay her more, but after season 9, Cohan decided to leave.

In comparison, Reedus is now the highest-paid member of the main cast. But for all of them, their salaries grew as the show became more popular, with fans and AMC alike recognizing the value of these talented actors.

The Walking Dead is available to stream on AMC+!