AMC Developing Walking Dead Spin-off Series

Comic creator Robert Kirkman and executive producers Gale Anne Hurd and Dave Alpert are behind the new series

It will apparently tell a brand-new story and feature a new cast of characters, although also be based on Kirkman's long-running comic. It's expected to launch in 2015.

"Building on the success of the most popular show on television for adults 18-49 is literally a no-brainer," AMC president Charlie Collier said. "We look forward to working with Robert, Gale and Dave again as we develop an entirely new story and cast of characters. It’s a big world and we can’t wait to give fans another unforgettable view of the zombie apocalypse."

Kirkman said: "After 10 years of writing the comic book series and being so close to the debut of our fourth, and in my opinion, best season of the TV series, I couldn't be more thrilled about getting the chance to create a new corner of The Walking Dead universe."

Season four of The Walking Dead returns to AMC on 13 October and will be broadcast in the UK on Fox . You can read about it in SFX 's amazing A-Z Of Zombies special edition , on sale now , and also in the massive TV preview in SFX issue 240 on sale from Wednesday 18 September.