Note: The following article contains spoilers for The Walking Dead season 9, episode 5 – 'What Comes After' – which hasn't aired yet in the UK.
Spoilers follow below the photo...
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Andrew Lincoln bid farewell to The Walking Dead (don't worry, he will be back as Rick Grimes in a movie trilogy). But he wasn't the only character to have left the show in episode 5.
Many fans were aware that Lauren Cohan's time on the show this season was limited due to her new show Whiskey Cavalier. And it turns out, five episodes is all she had time for as well for season 9.
'What Comes After' wrapped up Maggie Rhee's arc for the season, as she reached Alexandria intending to kill Negan, who brutally murdered Glenn in the sixth season finale.
However, confronting the baddie and seeing the state that he is in, Maggie decides to spare him – as she concludes that keeping him alive and locked up is a greater punishment than giving him death. A version of this scene happened in the comics (albeit later on in the timeline).
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, showrunner Angela Kang said: "That's the last of her for this season.
"I would hope it's not the last you'll see of her for the show, but she is not in any immediately-forthcoming episodes."
At the end of the episode, the show experienced a time jump of around six years, showing Judith Grimes about 10 years old saving a group of survivors (including Magna and Yumiko).
It seems that Maggie left Hilltop at some point during the time jump.
Hints were dropped earlier in the season paving the way for an exit for Maggie, as Georgie (whom many viewers have theorised is part of the Commonwealth) appears intent on recruiting the Hilltop leader.
The Walking Dead airs on AMC in the US and on FOX in the UK. You can also catch up on the show via NOW TV.
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