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Andrew Lincoln

Andrew Lincoln is an English actor best known for playing Rick Grimes on the AMC television series *The Walking Dead*.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 27, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

Andrew Lincoln is an English actor best known for playing Rick Grimes on the AMC television series *The Walking Dead*. Before that role, he appeared in British television and film projects including *This Life*, *Teachers*, *Love Actually*, and *Afterlife*. He was born Andrew James Clutterbuck in London in 1973.

Early life and education

Andrew Lincoln was born in London as Andrew James Clutterbuck and later studied at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. Sources also describe him as having grown up partly in Hull and Bath.

Career

Lincoln began acting in the 1990s and gained early recognition through *This Life*. He later appeared in British television and film before becoming widely known for *The Walking Dead*. His notable roles include Simon Casey in *Teachers*, Mark in *Love Actually*, and Dr. Robert Bridge in *Afterlife*.

The Walking Dead

Lincoln played Rick Grimes, the lead character on AMC's *The Walking Dead*, from 2010 to 2018. He returned for the 2022 series finale and the 2024 spin-off *The Walking Dead: The Ones Who Live*.

Awards and recognition

For his work on *The Walking Dead*, Lincoln won the Saturn Award for Best Actor on Television in 2015 and 2017. His role in *Afterlife* also brought him additional recognition in television awards coverage.

Key facts

  • He was born Andrew James Clutterbuck in London in 1973 and later adopted the stage name Andrew Lincoln.
  • His first major role was as Egg in the BBC drama *This Life* in 1996–97.
  • He played Simon Casey in *Teachers*, Mark in *Love Actually*, and Dr. Robert Bridge in *Afterlife*.
  • He became internationally known for portraying Rick Grimes on *The Walking Dead* from 2010 to 2018, with later appearances in 2022 and 2024.
  • He won the Saturn Award for Best Actor on Television for *The Walking Dead* in 2015 and 2017.
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Canadian context

Lincoln's work has been widely distributed in Canada through international television and film releases, especially *The Walking Dead*, which had a large Canadian audience.

Frequently asked questions

Who is Andrew Lincoln?
Andrew Lincoln is an English actor best known for portraying Rick Grimes on *The Walking Dead*.
What is Andrew Lincoln's real name?
His birth name is Andrew James Clutterbuck.
What was Andrew Lincoln's first major role?
His first major role was Egg in the BBC drama *This Life*.
What character did Andrew Lincoln play in *The Walking Dead*?
He played Rick Grimes, the series' main character.
What awards has Andrew Lincoln won for *The Walking Dead*?
He won the Saturn Award for Best Actor on Television in 2015 and 2017.
Where did Andrew Lincoln train as an actor?
He trained at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art in London.

References

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Lincoln
    Supports: Birth name, birth date, occupation, early roles, The Walking Dead role, and Saturn Award wins.
  2. IMDb — https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0511088/
    Supports: Birth name, education, early career roles, and personal details such as spouse.
  3. Rotten Tomatoes — https://www.rottentomatoes.com/celebrity/andrew_lincoln
    Supports: Birthplace, stage name, and role as Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead.