AMC has ordered TWO seasons of The Walking Dead Companion Series (which has yet to officially receive a title)! The first season will consist of six episodes and air late this summer, presumably to lead into the October Season 6 premiere of TWD! A second season will air in 2016!
This is great news and we’re super excited! Here’s what the boss Robert Kirkman has to say: “We feel empowered by this two-season commitment, a serious show of faith from our network partner AMC. I personally take it as a sign that they believe, like we do, that we’ve accomplished our goal of developing something original that can pay tribute to the original show and expand the world I created while at the same time having something new to say with this story. I’m very grateful that we now have the opportunity to tell this amazing story and show the fans that we really haven’t scratched the surface yet when it comes to ‘The Walking Dead.'”
We’re super excited about this. We obviously were pretty sure that the companion would get picked up but the two season commitment is a great surprise.
Here’s the full press release:
AMC today announced that it has placed an initial two-season order for a companion series to “The Walking Dead,” the #1 show on television among adults 18-49 for going on three seasons.
The new series (title to be announced) will be set in Los Angeles and focused on new characters and storylines. The show’s first season will consist of six one-hour episodes and premiere on AMC in late summer. The show’s second season will air in 2016.
Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, Greg Nicotero and David Alpert from “The Walking Dead” are executive producers of the new series, which, like the original, is being produced by AMC Studios. Dave Erickson (“Marco Polo,” “Sons of Anarchy”), who co-created and co-wrote the pilot with Kirkman, is an executive producer and showrunner. The series will star Cliff Curtis (“Missing,” “Gang Related”), Kim Dickens (Gone Girl, “Sons of Anarchy”), Frank Dillane (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince) and Alycia Debnam Carey (Into the Storm).
“We take incredibly seriously the notion of building a satisfying companion series to the number one show on television. From the beginning of ‘The Walking Dead’ on AMC, we’ve been asked questions about what was going on in other parts of the zombie apocalypse, and what it looked like as the world really did ‘turn.’ Through this new series, we’re going to find out,” said Charlie Collier, AMC president. “Robert Kirkman, Dave Erickson and their writing team, along with an incomparable set of producers, cast and crew have created something remarkable and clearly distinct. We respectfully follow the request of Monty Python as we bring out (the latest of) our Dead.”
“We feel empowered by this two-season commitment, a serious show of faith from our network partner AMC,” Kirkman said. “I personally take it as a sign that they believe, like we do, that we’ve accomplished our goal of developing something original that can pay tribute to the original show and expand the world I created while at the same time having something new to say with this story. I’m very grateful that we now have the opportunity to tell this amazing story and show the fans that we really haven’t scratched the surface yet when it comes to ‘The Walking Dead.’”
“This vote of confidence from our partners at AMC is gratifying, to say the least,” Erickson said. “We’ve been blessed with amazing writers and a stellar cast – and we can’t wait to build this apocalyptic drama over the next two seasons and hopefully beyond.”
In addition, AMC Global, the international AMC-branded television network, announced it has acquired the international television rights to the series, which it plans to air within 24 hours of the U.S. premiere. AMC Global launched in late 2014 and is available in over 115 countries and territories throughout Latin America, Europe, Asia, Africa and the Middle East.
Are you guys excited?!
I’m excited. I love the walking dead tv show i can’t wait to see what this new one is going to be like
Awesome!!!
Perfect! I really prefer not to live withot fresh TWD content at all times!
Absolutely! I love you guys!
Cool, but didn’t they announce the name as Cobalt? Or am I going crazy?
Maybe that was a KirJerk… you know… like Alexandra Breckenridge being cast for “Samantha” but turns out to be Jessie.
“KirkJerk”… Kirkman’s teases & things he does to throw us off track.
Sweet! This means I will have my walking dead fix throughout the year!!!
Yay!!! Can’t wait
When I seen Better Call Saul was picked up for 2 seasons I just knew TWD would be picked up for 2 as well. The fan base is already established and we are patiently waiting!! No Hurry up!! haha
So excited for this! I wonder if the Skybound universe will ever expand on the characters and plots found here, or if it even exists!
I don’t know if I’m more excited or nervous. The companion series is clearly going to be its own thing and not just a copy of TWD, so it might flop then – and I don’t want that.
I’m looking forward to the different perspectives. The new show set in Los Angeles versus Rick’s established “take responsibility for ourselves” family of survivors, the possibilities are endless. The left coast pervasiveness of nanny government and watching the helpless left to their own devices will be interesting. I can’t help but think they will have a completely different attitude toward the dead and survival, at least at first.
Brian, Any news about a UK release date?
Can’t wait. A little disappointed it’s based in L.A would’ve rather seen it in Detroit since it already looks apocalyptic lol. But either way I’m still excited for a brand new story.
Can’t wait. I’m excited to see how other people in the world dealt with and are dealing with the world. I also wonder if there is going to be any crossover between the series.