TV Walking Dead Gets Green Light

US cable channel AMC orders a six-episode series of the the zombie comic adaptation

US cable channel AMC – the same network respsonisble for the recent remake of The Prisoner – has ordered a six-episode season of The Walking Dead, the zombie comic adaptation being scripted and directed by Frank ( The Shawshank Redemption ) Darabont, according to The Hollywood Reporter .

The Walking Dead is based on the cult hit apocalyptic comic book series by Robert Kirkman, which started publishing in 2003. It is renowned for its gritty tone and black, black humour. AMC acquired the rights to the comic last August after a bidding war. So far only one actor, Jon ( The Ghost Writer ) Bernthal has been announced. The series will begin production in June in Atlanta and should premiere in October during Fearfest, AMC's annual marathon of thriller and horror films.

Joel Stillerman, AMC's senior vp programming, praised the comics for “brilliantly capturing the social commentary and ongoing human drama of the zombie apocalypse. And it lets us kick a little zombie you-know-what from time to time.”

Dave Golder
Freelance Writer

Dave is a TV and film journalist who specializes in the science fiction and fantasy genres. He's written books about film posters and post-apocalypses, alongside writing for SFX Magazine for many years.