Another loss for The Walking Dead?

First the son, now the father.

Several online sources are reporting that Andrew Lincoln, the British actor who plays lead character Rick Grimes on TV’s The Walking Dead, will depart the show during the upcoming Season 9.

That would leave only two original characters remaining in the series: Daryl Dixon, played by Norman Reedus — whom the Hollywood Reporter says is in line for a big raise with Lincoln going — and Carol Peletier, played by Melissa McBride. Another original character, Rick’s son Carl, played by Chandler Riggs, was killed off in Season 8, causing a fan backlash.

There was no official confir- mation from AMC or Lincoln about the departure, but it’s not the only exodus, past or future.

Lauren Cohan, the British-American actress who plays Maggie Greene, will reportedly appear in only six episodes of the new season because of a commitment to a new ABC series, Whiskey Cavalier. British actor Lennie James already left The Walking Dead last season for a role on sister show Fear the Walking Dead.

Ratings have dropped for the original, with viewers unhappy with the direction it has taken under showrunner Scott M. Gimple, although it is still one of the highest rated series on TV.

Season 9, which reportedly jumps two years in time, will have a new showrunner, Angela Kang.