‘Walking Dead’ Spin-off Series Confirmed With All New Setting
Zombie fans can’t get enough of The Walking Dead, so AMC and creator Robert Kirkman will be happy to provide them with more. It was confirmed Friday that a new series set in the same universe will get a pilot that will go into production later this year.
Entertainment Weekly nabbed the exclusive from AMC and The Walking Dead executive producer Robert Kirkman, who will be joined by fellow executive producers Gale Anne Hurd and David Alpert.
Even though the new Walking Dead series will likely be referred to as a spin-off (including us), it’s technically not. The pilot script turned in by Sons of Anarchy producer Dave Erickson is set in a location other than Georgia, where the main series has spent the first four seasons. Additionally, it will feature an all new cast of characters.
Other details on the new series have not been released yet.
IT’S A GO! AMC just greenlit the pilot for the Walking Dead companion series! http://t.co/oi1pdVWqjI #TheWalkingDead pic.twitter.com/6wrUhoFHrw
— The Walking Dead (@TheWalkingDead) September 5, 2014
“Almost 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,” said AMC President Charlie Collier. “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. We’re thrilled to be taking this next step with these remarkable partners.”
“There are many corners of the ‘Walking Dead’ universe that remain unseen in the shadows,” Kirkman added. “Being given the opportunity to shine a light into those corners and see what lurks out there is an absolute thrill. I know the fans are anxious to hear what Dave and I have been cooking up for this new universe of ‘The Walking Dead,’ and I’m happy to be one step closer to sharing it with them.”
For those not aware, The Walking Dead comic books have a spin-off series of sorts in the form of Telltale’s The Walking Dead episodic video game for the PC, consoles, smartphones, and tablets. It just wrapped up its second season and is set in Georgia as well. It did feature some character crossovers with the comics during the first season.
Kirkman’s and AMC’s comments make clear though that he’s not seeking to adapt the work done on the video game to a TV series. Both The Walking Dead TV show and the comics have spent their entire time in the southeastern United States and up to Washington D.C., the new location for Season 5. The question now though is where this new Walking Dead series will be located. There’s a whole zombie-filled country to explore, plus a whole world.
The Walking Dead Season 5 will premiere on October 12. Are you excited for a new “companion” series? Where do you think it should be set? Let us know in the comments below.
[Images via AMC, Telltale Games]
