AMC even jokes about how predictable this decision was, in the headline of the press release: “Even the Walkers Saw It Coming”. What a bunch of jokesters they are. Yes it’s true, AMC, in the non-surprise move of the season, has picked up a fifth season of its blockbuster The Walking Dead.
The biggest change for the fifth season is the announcement that showrunner Scott Gimple is returning. Excuse the mix of subgenres, but the showrunner position for this series has been not unlike the Defense Against the Dark Arts position at Hogwarts. So smart of everyone involved in the decision to keep Gimple at the helm; the current fourth season has been completely outstanding.
Here’s the press release:
AMC RENEWS THE WALKING DEAD FOR A FIFTH SEASON
Even The Walkers Saw It Coming As Network Opts To Bring Back The #1 Show On Television Among Adults 18-49
New York – October 29, 2013 – AMC announced today that it has renewed The Walking Dead for a fifth season. The number one show on television among adults 18-49, The Walking Dead returned for a fourth season earlier this month and the premiere episode set a new record for the series, delivering 20.2 million viewers, live+3, and 13.2 million adults 18-49, a new record for any non-sports cable telecast.
“We are very happy to make what has to be one of the most anti-climactic renewal announcements ever: The Walking Dead is renewed for a fifth season,” said Charlie Collier, AMC president. “This is a show that has erased traditional distinctions between cable and broadcast. Its expanding base of passionate fans has grown every season, most recently – and most notably – with the season four premiere earlier this month, which broke viewership records for the series and became the biggest non-sports telecast in cable history. On behalf of the incredible team on both sides of the camera, thank you to the fans and here’s to more Dead.”
For season five, Scott Gimple will return as the series’ showrunner along with executive producers Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, David Alpert, Greg Nicotero and Tom Luse. AMC also recently announced that it is developing a companion series to The Walking Dead, based on a new story and new characters from Robert Kirkman.
About AMC
Whether commemorating favorite films from every genre and decade or creating acclaimed original programming, AMC brings to its audience something deeper, something richer, Something More. The network reigns as the only cable network in history ever to win the Emmy® Award for Outstanding Drama Series four years in a row, and boasts the most-watched drama series in basic cable history with The Walking Dead. AMC’s original drama series include Mad Men, Breaking Bad, Hell on Wheels and Low Winter Sun. The network recent greenlit two new drama series, working titles Halt & Catch Fire and Turn, both of which will be premiering in 2014. AMC also explores authentic worlds with bold characters through its slate of unscripted original series like Comic Book Men, Small Town Security, Talking Dead, and Freakshow. AMC is owned and operated by AMC Networks Inc. and its sister networks include IFC, Sundance Channel, and WE tv. AMC is available across all platforms, including on-air, online, on demand and mobile. AMC: Something More.
The Walking Dead, starring Andrew Lincoln, David Morrissey, Steven Yeun, Norman Reedus, Danai Gurira, Chandler Riggs, Lauren Cohan, Scott Wilson, Melissa McBride, Chad Coleman, Sonequa Martin-Green and Emily Kinney, airs Sundays at 9/8c on AMC.
