Can The Walking Dead recover? (Picture: AMC)

The Walking Dead’s latest episode hit a troubling milestone, scoring the worst ratings in the show’s eight year history.

The second episode of season nine, titled The Bridge, received a 2.0 rating in the key demographic of adults aged 18-49, according to Deadline.

That rating represents a 21 per cent drop off from the season nine premiere, and beating previous all-time low way back in season one with a 2.4 rating.

Rick Grimes in The Walking Dead
The Walking Dead’s ninth season is better in quality, not in the ratings (Picture: AMC)

It’s important to note the total viewership (different to ratings) live or same day was 4.9 million, which while not the worst, is pretty close. It’s the second worst to an episode in the first season with 4.7 million, according to Gizmodo.

It’s a concerning pattern considering last week’s season nine premiere was the lowest-rated opening in the show’s history, despite having the thrust of positive word behind it.

The drop in viewership isn’t easy to predict, but the underwhelming past few seasons have undoubtedly contributed – with Andrew Lincoln’s upcoming exit sure to turn off many too.

It’s perhaps proof that, despite season nine looking to be the best in years, the show has a long way to go before it can earn back trust with many viewers.

How will it fare once Andrew Lincoln actually leaves? We’re not anticipating a ratings reversal.

The Walking Dead season nine continues on AMC Sundays and airs on Fox UK Mondays 9pm.

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