‘The Walking Dead’ Season 9 Air Date, Spoilers: Expect Maggie-Rick Feud; Will They Reconcile Before They Both Leave?

The trailers and cast members’ interview all confirm that “The Walking Dead” season 9 is going to be the most intense installment ever. But that was taken up a notch when a brewing serious feud between Maggie (Lauren Cohan) and Rick (Andrew Lincoln) was confirmed. Will they get back to being staunch allies and friends before they both leave the show?

The official trailer of “The Walking Dead” season 9 gives fans the inkling that the transition to building a future will entail fights and misunderstandings among the allied groups. This was also a recurring topic during panel interviews at the San Diego Comic-Con last month, which was attended by the main cast and showrunner of “The Walking Dead.”

Talking about how Rick and Maggie will end their run in “The Walking Dead” season 9, Cohan teased that her character will get into a deep misunderstanding with Rick. This is interesting since both characters are expected to leave the season early and there is a chance that there will not be a reconciliation before they both depart the show.

“We left on a pretty sharp note, a little tense,” Cohan said in a panel interview at SDCC 2018. Naturally, Cohan did not provide specific details about the fight between Rick and Maggie in “The Walking Dead” season 9 but it might have something to do with Rick’s decisions by the end of season 8.

It can be recalled that Rick finally captured Negan before season 8 closed. But to other characters’ disappointment, especially Maggie’s, Rick chose to just imprison Negan instead of killing him right away. This might have put a strain on Rick and Maggie’s relationship as friends and leaders in “The Walking Dead” season 9.

Even though conflicts are imminent among friends and allies in “The Walking Dead” season 9, showrunner Angela Kang said it is balanced, with more scenes showing “this core cast that have such deep relationships that we've seen develop over years and years.”

Andrew Lincoln’s departure from the show in one of the “The Walking Dead” season 9 episodes has been confirmed for months now. It is still a mystery how his character will be removed from the show but Kang promised they have treated this story with respect.

Meanwhile, there aren't many official discussions and statements about Lauren Cohan’s exit from the show. However, reports are rife that she has scenes only in the first half of “The Walking Dead” season 9 and that she will be moving on to a new show called “Whiskey Cavalier.”

With the prospect of Rick and Maggie both leaving, Daryl (Norman Reedus) is likely going to take charge. “The Walking Dead” season 9 will start airing on Sunday, Oct. 7, at 9 p.m. ET on AMC.