VIDEO : 'The Walking Dead' Star Says Surprises Will Happen After Andrew Lincoln's Exit

Though Andrew Lincoln will be leaving The Walking Dead in its upcoming ninth season...
...King Ezekiel actor Khary Payton promises the show must go on.
During The Walking Dead Season Nine preview special on Sunday night,
Payton opened up about Lincoln's exit quite candidly, comicbook.com reports.
The actor admitted he thought Rick Grimes exit would be the beginning of the end for the show.
?It?s been tough for everybody and when I found out about it, I started packing my bags. Then I started reading the story. How do you go on without Rick Grimes? I read this moment, and I?m pretty sure everyone will know it when the see it, and it?s arresting. I thought, ?Oh my god, we?ve got so much more to do!? My drawers are full.?
Lincoln is only expected to be around for less than half of The Walking Dead's ninth season.