Andrew Lincoln: ‘Rick Is The Most Complete He’s Ever Been’ In ‘The Walking Dead’ Season 5

Andrew Lincoln hit the red carpet at the premiere of “The Walking Dead” Season 5 without his Rick Grimes beard, which had many wondering if Rick finally used the razor Michonne gave him in early Season 4.

“It’s one of three things: either I found a razor, the rest of the season is an extended flashback or I’m dead,” Andrew told Access Hollywood on Thursday night in Universal City.

After a real rollercoaster journey in Season 4, Andrew said Rick begins Season 5 in a strong place, when Access asked him about the themes in the coming episodes.

“Rick is the most complete he’s ever been,” Andrew said. “He’s not in any doubt as to what kind of leader he wants to be or has to be in this world, so a lot of it’s gonna be about his leadership, whether or not people wanna come with him into this brutal landscape.”

“The Walking Dead” has earned killer ratings figures over the years, including beating Sunday night football last October. Asked for his latest thoughts on why the show is so successful, Andrew said it might have to do with the central focus being a human story.

WATCH: Andrew Lincoln & Danai Gurira On Season 5 Themes

“I don’t know. I suppose it’s a human show, even though we’re surrounded by the undead, and that was always the pitch when I first spoke to [Season 1 showrunner] Frank [Darabont] about it. I said, ‘What is this?’ And he said, ‘It’s not just a survival story, it’s a way to examine what it is to be a human being.’ … And it is — it’s got thrills, spills, it’s got zombies, but it’s also — at the heart of it is a very emotional resonance. Well, that’s the stuff that I dig, anyway. You fight so hard to survive for those moments of joy and laughter and tenderness, as we do in life.”

“The Walking Dead” returns October 12 at 9/8c on AMC.

— Jolie Lash