AMC Greenlights Comic Book-Based Series

NEW YORK: Cable channel AMC has added a new original series to its slate: The Walking Dead, a six-episode drama directed by Frank Darabont and based on the book series written by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics.

Kirkman serves as an executive producer on the project, with Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile) as writer, director and executive producer. Production begins in June in Atlanta on six, one-hour episodes for season one, with an October premiere during AMC’s Fearfest, the network’s annual blockbuster marathon of thriller and horror films. 

"AMC strives to make original shows that play like movies and The Walking Dead is a perfect complement to the network’s celebrated movie franchise, Fearfest, which has always been an important destination for our audience," said Charlie Collier, AMC’s president. "With its depth of story and the remarkable talent attached, The Walking Dead gives us an opportunity to raise the bar significantly within this popular genre, and continue our commitment to being the home of premium programming on basic cable."

"The Walking Dead is that rare piece of material that plays on many levels," added Joel Stillerman, the senior VP of programming, production and digital content at AMC. "Kirkman’s series brilliantly captures the social commentary and ongoing human drama of the zombie apocalypse; and let’s us kick a little zombie you-know-what from time to time."

The Walking Dead tells the story of the months and years that follow after a zombie apocalypse, following a group of survivors in search of a safe and secure home. This is AMC’s fourth original, following Mad Men, Breaking Bad and Rubicon.