Last year, AMC announced its intent to develop a “companion series” for “The Walking Dead” alongside series creator, Robert Kirkman. Now the project is finally ready to move forward.
AMC has officially picked up “The Walking Dead” companion series for a pilot episode. That’s a standard order, but the original “Walking Dead” TV show earned a straight-to-series pickup in 2010. Presumably, AMC is being more cautious this time. But this would also give AMC the flexibility to order a full season of the series if the project meets the network’s expectations.
Kirkman co-wrote the pilot script for the companion series alongside Dave Erickson, who will serve as the showrunner. “Walking Dead” executive producers Gale Anne Hurd and David Alpert will also executive produce the companion series alongside Kirkman and Erickson.
In a brief statement, Kirkman hinted at a larger scope for the companion series. “There are many corners of The Walking Dead universe that remain unseen in the shadows. Being given the opportunity to shine a light into those corners and see what lurks out there is an absolute thrill.”
AMC President Charlie Collier added that “from the beginning of The Walking Dead on AMC, fans have been curious about what is going on in the zombie apocalypse in other parts of the world. In fact, beyond requests for zombie cameos, it’s the question I get asked the most. Obviously, we all take our stewardship of the original franchise incredibly seriously and we, along with Robert, Gale, David and now Dave, are all proceeding with extreme care in order to ensure that we are offering fans something truly compelling, engaging and distinct.”
Related: AMC Developing a ‘Walking Dead’ Companion TV Series
Next year, AMC will premiere “Better Call Saul,” a prequel and a spinoff of “Breaking Bad.” But unlike that show, “The Walking Dead” and its unnamed companion series could be in production at the same time. This has the potential to dilute the brand, which may be why AMC is taking its time with the project.
But “The Walking Dead” is one of the biggest hits on television. If AMC can deliver similar numbers from the potential companion series, it could keep the franchise on TV for almost half a year with new episodes.
The earliest that “The Walking Dead” companion series could launch is in 2015.
