As any hardcore fan of “The Walking Dead” knows, zombies multiply — to such an extent that AMC, the network reveling in the success of the grisly drama, has decided to develop a “companion series.”
Get ready for “Spread the Dead.”
Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd and David Alpert will be executive producers on the series, set to debut in 2015.
The so-called “companion series” will tell its own story with its own cast of characters. The spinoff will join the flagship series as well as its Chris Hardwick-hosted gabfest “The Talking Dead.”
“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,” Kirkman said in a statement.
“The opportunity to make a show that isn’t tethered by the events of the comic book, and is truly a blank page, has set my creativity racing.”
“The Walking Dead” has been a runaway success for AMC, drawing better numbers than many broadcast network shows, even though Hollywood routinely gives it the cold shoulder when Emmys and Golden Globes are handed out.
It’s currently the No. 1 show among adults, 18-49 and regularly breaks its own records as popularity soars, despite changes in showrunners and the violent deaths of many cast members. The new season, with Scott Gimple in charge, premieres Sunday, Oct. 13.
“Building on the success of the most popular show on television for adults 18-49 is literally a no-brainer,” said Charlie Collier, AMC’s president and general manager.
“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.”