Get ready for a fan favorite to make his way back to "The Walking Dead" next season.
TVLine is reporting Jon Bernthal will appear on the ninth season of the AMC show.
Bernthal, who played Rick Grimes' best friend Shane on the zombie series in its first two seasons before being killed off, was recently spotted on set of the zombie series, leading many to wonder whether or not the actor may return.
The news has many fans surprised and confused.
After all, the character was killed off on season two.
— Caleb Kaneakua (@TooDamnCreative) June 18, 2018
It's a Monday. I'm slightly hungover. Work is busy. But that Jon Bernthal/Walking Dead news makes it pic.twitter.com/P1as15cAho
— Tia Fabi (@TC_Stark) June 18, 2018
How is Shane coming back for season 9 of the Walking Dead if he was killed in season 3 (3 right? I am not watching the show anymore)
— 🇧🇷 Danilo Navarro 🇦🇷 (@DaniloNavarro85) June 18, 2018
The Walking Dead, for the first time in a while, is sounding really interesting. Rick & Maggie being written out presents a lot of potential to start telling fresh new stories and the return of Shane, even if it's just for one episode, is exciting. New showrunner too. Hopeful.
— John Squires (@FreddyInSpace) June 18, 2018
Not everyone is happy about it. It sounds like a ratings play to some.
This is pathetic. PATHETIC omg😂 they really don’t know what the hell they’re doing, do they?bLauren Cohan is leaving too. You bring back Sarah Wayne Callies for Rick and Steven Yeun for Maggie, NOT Jon Bernthal. He’s a good actor but Shane is trash and his purpose is done. https://t.co/R6WLhXvF69
— margo hanson love bot (@wittymargo) June 18, 2018
Personally the only way I'll start watching The Walking Dead again is if when Rick inevitably hallucinates or dream-sequences the newly announced cameo in Season 9, instead of Shane, it's Jon Bernthal as The Punisher.
— Hey!Let'sDoAThing! (@WilliamPecota) June 18, 2018
A rather desperate ratings gambit, if you ask me.
— Matthew Forbes (@VaughanPappy) June 18, 2018
So, how could Shane return?
It's been heavily reported — and seemingly confirmed by a "Walking Dead" episode director— that Andrew Lincoln will be leaving the show after next season.
Bernthal may return as a hallucination or flashback in a farewell to Rick's character while leaving the show.
According to Comicbook.com, Bernthal will appear on one of the season's first nine episodes.
AMC declined to confirm to INSIDER whether or not Bernthal will return.
You can follow along with our coverage of "The Walking Dead" here.
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