For the past few years, AMC has waited for “The Walking Dead” to capture a new record audience before making the inevitable announcement about the series’ renewal. This year, AMC isn’t waiting around to share the news.
Ahead of this Sunday’s fifth season premiere, AMC has announced that “The Walking Dead” has been renewed for a sixth season to premiere in October 2015. The words “not a surprise” come to mind, as “The Walking Dead” is currently the highest watched drama on basic cable and it also one of the most popular shows on television.
AMC President Charlie Collier released a statement with the announcement that read “We could not be more excited for October 12 as we share new episodes of ‘The Walking Dead’ with fans around the globe. In advance of Sunday’s season five premiere, AMC proudly confirms a sixth season order of this extraordinary series. Thank you to Robert Kirkman, Scott Gimple, the terrific executive producers, and the entire team who brings this compelling world and these rich characters to life. There’s plenty more Dead ahead thanks to their impressive, collective effort.”
“The Walking Dead” is based on the Image comic book series by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore and Charlie Adlard. The TV adaptation was developed by Frank Darabont, who was infamously forced out of the series during the second season. While the showrunner position at “The Walking Dead” has had some turnover since then, Scott Gimple will remain in that job for the upcoming sixth season.
Related: AMC Reveals Character List For ‘The Walking Dead’ Companion Series
AMC is also pressing forward with a pilot episode for the currently untitled “Walking Dead” companion series, that will explore another aspect of Kirkman’s post zombie apocalyptic world.
The biggest problem that AMC may eventually run into is the dilution of “The Walking Dead” brand. That may be why the network is being more cautious with the companion show before giving it a series order.
“The Walking Dead’ Season 5 premieres this Sunday, October 12 on AMC.
