The Walking Dead Series 10 start date confirmed as the show goes on without Rick – here’s the lowdown on the cast, plot and what Andrew Lincoln’s up to now

RICK'S exit was mourned by fans but the show picked up again with the introduction of Alpha and her clan of Whisperers.

And now the popular show has been confirmed to be returning for a tenth series. Here's what we know so far...

When will Series 10 come to screens?

Season 10 of The Walking Dead has been confirmed to arrive in October 2019.

On the 4th February, AMC announced the exciting news on Twitter with a video of Alpha and her skin-crawling legion of Whisperers.

News of the show's renewal for a tenth season should silence sceptics who believed the show's future was in jeopardy after Rick's departure.

Season 9 has seen an increasing decline in viewership - falling to just 4.79 million for episode 7.

And the show's opening had the lowest viewers since Season 2.

But things started to look up after the introduction of the creepy clan of Whisperers as well as a six-year time jump following Rick and Maggie's departure.

So bosses are hoping this renewed enthusiasm will carry over to Series 10.

What's happening in Series 9?

The Walking Dead will return for eight more episodes on February 10, 2019.

Season 9 first aired on October 8, 2018.

Norman Reedus, who plays fan favourite Daryl Dixon, told  that the next few episodes will be "f***ing epic, you know, and they’re just crushing and they’re severe, all of them."

A teaser trailer has also given fans a first look at the terrifying Whisperer leader Alpha, played by Samantha Morton.

The Whisperers are a strange gang of survivors who use the skin of zombies to disguise themselves so they go unnoticed by their enemies.

It's believed that Alpha will be the downfall of Rick Grimes who is leaving this season.

What is Andrew Lincoln up to now?

Andrew confirmed that he was leaving The Walking Dead in July last year to spend more time with his family.

Andrew told fans at the San Diego Comic Con: "This will be my last season playing the part of Rick Grimes.

“I love this show, it means everything to me. I love the people who make this show.

"I’m also particularly fond of the people who watch the show.

";It has been the most extraordinary, beautiful experience of my career, largely because of you guys.”

The actor said he intended to take a break and spend time with his family.

He told Entertainment Weekly: "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."

Last year reports said Andrew was quitting because he'd "had enough" and wanted to focus on starring in movies.

However, fans need not fear, as AMC content chief Scott M.Gimple confirmed that Andrew would reprise his role of Rick in the movie version of the show.

He revealed: "There is more story to tell and we'll be telling it.

"The story of Rick will go on in films. Right now, we're working on three but there's flexibility in that."

He added: "Rick Grimes is an amazing character and Andy has done an amazing performance.

"There were story ideas brewing that, as the years went on, seemed very compatible with continuing to tell the Rick story in another format that would allow him time with his family."