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Looks like Jon Bernthal wasn't just visiting The Walking Dead's set just to hang out after all.
TVLine reports that Bernthal -- who starred on AMC's zombie drama for its first two seasons and now leads The Punisher -- will be returning for one episode of Season 9. AMC has not confirmed, but Bernthal was spotted with departing series star Andrew Lincoln near The Walking Dead's Senoia, Georgia set, as well as at Nic and Norman's, a restaurant in Senoia owned by actor Norman Reedus and executive producer Greg Nicotero.
Lincoln will be leaving the show in the first half of Season 9, so presumably Bernthal will appear in a flashback in one of Lincoln's final episodes. Bernthal played Shane Walsh, Lincoln's character Rick Grimes' pre-apocalypse patrol partner who became his post-apocalypse leadership rival after he hooked up with Rick's wife Lori (Sarah Wayne Callies) when they thought Rick was dead. Shane also happens to be the biological father of Rick's daughter Judith.
Jon Bernthal Has Been Spotted on The Walking Dead Set, Let's All Freak Out
Fans were understandably excited to hear that Rick's first and greatest foil would be returning to help send him off.
I've never been more happy now that I've found out Shane Walsh (Jon Bernthal) is gonna be in season 9:') he's the best villain of the series smh Negan never even came close pic.twitter.com/QUTVQGkTU5
— •kaylee stark• 🖤 (@starksgalaxy) June 18, 2018
I am so down for this!
— Dave Stewart (@DveStewart) June 18, 2018
It's been a ROUGH few months for the #TWD franchise, but the news of Jon Bernthal making an appearance in Season 9 is exactly what the #TWDFamily needed to hear.
— The Walking Dead World (@TWalkingDWorld) June 18, 2018
The Walking Dead will return for Season 9 this fall.