The new series will be set in Los Angeles and focus on new characters and storylines. The cast includes Cliff Curtis (Gang Related), Kim Dickens (Sons of Anarchy), Frank Dillane (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince) and Alycia Debnam-Carey (The 100).
Dave Erickson, who co-wrote the pilot with Robert Kirkman, will serve as executive producer and showrunner. Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, Greg Nicotero and David Alpert are also executive producers. AMC Studios will produce.
"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," said Kirkman. "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," added Erickson. "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."
