The long-awaited return of "The Walking Dead" by former leading actor Andrew Lincoln (49) is now officially in the works. It was announced on the series' Instagram account that filming has begun on the spin-off mini-series starring Lincoln and Danai Jekesai Gurira (45).

In addition, the first behind-the-scenes photos were published. The first is a close-up of the hands of the two main characters. The second picture shows empty chairs on the set with "Michonne" and "Rick" written on them - the role names of the series stars. The post reads: "Andrew Lincoln and Danai Gurira are back on set! The next chapter of Rick and Michonne's story begins..."

The story of ex-cop Rick Grimes, played by Lincoln, was originally intended to be completed in three feature films. Instead, a six-part spin-off series was announced at Comic-Con 2022. On the show, Michonne finds herself searching for her missing love, whom she had long thought dead. Actress Gurira left The Walking Dead in season ten, while Lincoln left in season nine.

The main series came to an end on November 20, 2022 and after eleven seasons. In addition to the spin-off about Rick and Michonne, there are two other spin-offs in the making: "The Walking Dead: Dead City", in which the unlikely duo Maggie (Lauren Cohan, 41) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan, 56) will be the focus. And "Daryl Dixon", in which Norman Reedus (54) returns as the eponymous fan favorite.

"Dead City" has been announced for June 2023, "Daryl Dixon" and the hitherto unnamed series about Rick and Michonne are likely to appear in the coming year.