The budding romance between Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Jessie (Alexandra Breckenridge) could be set aside for awhile in ‘The Walking Dead’ season six.

According to an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Breckenridge admitted that Pete’s death in the finale episode of season five will significantly shift Jessie’s focus on the protection of her children. As such, any feelings that she has for Rick could possibly be put to one side first.

"When Pete dies, she feels immense guilt because she feels relieved, but she also is mourning his death,” the 33-year-old actress said. "It's so complicated for her that any interest that she had for Rick in that moment, it's not her main focus. ... She's just sort of in the place where she knows she's needs to become stronger to protect her family."

Breckenridge also spoke of her onscreen sons, Ron (Austin Abrams) and Sam (Major Dodson), on the hit zombie drama. According to the ‘American Horror Story’ alum, these boys will get angry and could become vulnerable to the circumstances. She then hopes for her own character to figure out how her kids can become stronger.

After shooting Pete to his death last season, Lincoln himself said that his character Rick's relationship with Jessie will have its own challenges as they move forward.

"It's not looking promising!" he said in an interview The Hollywood Reporter in March."That first candlelit dinner could be a bit awkward. It's never easy for Rick, is it?"

Lincoln also opened up about having a love interest after his wife Lori’s death a few years ago, saying: "He has feelings for the first time in two years, and the woman in question is married, and within a short space of time, Rick has a street brawl and shoots her husband. It's not tender in the apocalypse."

Meanwhile, the official synopsis for ‘The Walking Dead’ season six tells how the safety and security of Alexandria will be destroyed by several threats, from walkers to treacherous living human beings.
For the sake of their survival, the people of Alexandria will have to learn from Rick’s group, such as their undivided strength and toughness.

Showrunner Scott M. Gimple previously announced during one of his more recent ‘Talking Dead’ episodes that the season six premiere will be a notable one as it will show the biggest number of walkers in the series' history.

 ‘The Walking Dead’ season six premieres with a special 90-minute episode on Oct. 11, at 9 p.m. on AMC.