'The Walking Dead' Season 6: Andrew Lincoln Talks Rick's Transformation and Future

Season 5 finale of AMC's "The Walking Dead" finally had Rick somewhat taking control of Alexandria, and according to lead actor Andrew Lincoln, Rick's desire to be in control of everything and everyone has made Rick the group's Shane.

The recent deaths of Bob, Beth, Tyreese and Noah have had a profound effect on Rick, pushing him to the edge. The penultimate episode of the season saw Rick being knocked down by Michonne during a speech about people of Alexandria not facing reality.

"I think he's in a place where Shane was, where he's come to a place that he feels is absolutely right but people are not with him yet so he's frustrated and confused and scared. He's a control freak," Lincoln told IBTimes UK.

Drawing comparisons between Rick and Shane, Lincoln told the publication that he "was thinking about Jon Bernthal all the time this season. The echo of the barn scene with Sophia coming out was very much like [episode] 15.

"Funnily enough I was emailing Jon a lot, as was Sarah Wayne Callies [Lori Grimes], when we came into Alexandria and certainly we spoke about it a lot and I don't think there was any coincidence that there are so many echoes of [Shane]."

As for what's in store for the character in season 6, Lincoln said he was excited about his next scene with Alexandra Breckenridge, who plays Jessie. Now that Pete is out of the way, is there a romantic relationship on the horizon for Jessie and Rick?

Lincoln believes romance might be put on hold, especially since Rick was the one who killed Pete.

"It's never easy dating in the apocalypse," Lincoln told Entertainment Weekly. "There's a slight bump in the road with the dating. I think the next candlelit dinner could be problematic. We've got a bit to talk about. Only on this show. Its like, "It's going rather well apart from the fact we almost killed each other in the street the night before. And then I shoot your husband the next day. Anyway, should we move on from here?" [Laughs] I'm excited to read that first scene."

"The Walking Dead" season 6 will return to AMC in October.