Thomas Jane Was Almost Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead

In just a few short months,The Walking Deadwill return with themidseasonpremiereNo Way out, airing on Valentine’s Day, Sunday, February 14 at 9 PM ET on AMC. The series was a huge hit from the start, but it has since grown into one of the biggest shows on any network, broadcast and cable alike.Frank Darabontcreated the original series and served as showrunner for the first two seasons, before he left the show. As it turns out, the series creator had originally wanted a different actor to portray Rick Grimes, according toUproxx,Thomas Jane.

The site reports that, early on inThe Walking Dead’s development,Frank Darabonthad been eyeing Thomas Jane to play Rick Grimes, when the series creator had been trying to sell the show to HBO. Eventually, HBO passed on the project, and thenThomas Janebecame attached to star in HBO’sHung, when AMC picked up the series.Hungdebuted in 2009, one year beforeThe Walking Deaddebuted on AMC.Hungonly lasted for three seasons before it wascanceledby HBO, whileAndrew Lincolnwent on to star asRick Grimes.

At the time, Thomas Jane was a much more established actor thanAndrew Lincoln, who, before starring inThe Walking Dead, was perhaps best known for his role as Mark in the 2003 romance classicLove Actually. Thomas Jane had previously worked withFrank Darabonton the director’s 2007 thrillerStephen King’s The Mist. If Thomas Jane would have signed on to star inThe Walking Dead, he wouldn’t have been the first starStephen King’s The Mistto have joined the show.

The MiststarsLaurie Holden,Jeffrey DeMunnand Melissa Suzanne McBride all had starring roles inThe Walking Dead.Sam Witweralso had a brief role as a zombie in the tank in the pilot episode, who tried to turn Rick into a walker, after starring inThe Mist. WhileFrank Darabontno longer serves as a showrunner, he is still credited as executive producer onThe Walking Dead, although he is no longer involved in the day-to-day operations on the show.

Thomas Janemost recently starred inBefore I Wakeand in the miniseries Texas Rising. On the big screen, he will next be seen in The Veil, Standoff andUSS Indianapolis: Men of Courage. Would you have like to seeThomas Janehave starred inThe Walking Dead? Let us know what you think, and stay tuned for more onThe Walking Dead.