AMC Gives Green Light To ‘The Walking Dead’ Series

When we first told you about AMC’s commitment to an adaptation of Robert kirkman’s The Walking Dead, the network had only ordered a pilot. Now, word comes via Variety that AMC has now greenlit the entire six episode series, which will be adapted and directed by Frank Darabont.

In case you’re not familiar with the comic or the series, it revolves around a group of survivors of a zombie apocalypse and their struggles with said zombies and within their group as well. In addition to adapting and directing the pilot, Darabont will exec produce with Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd and David Alpert. Charles Eglee, an experienced TV drama showrunner, has also boarded the project as an exec producer.

Jon Bernthal, currently seen in HBO’s The Pacific, has been cast in a lead role and speculation is Jonny Lee Miller (recently seen in ABC’s Eli Stone and previously opposite Angelina Jolie in Hackers) will have a role in the series as well. The Walking Dead is targeted to debut in October to coincide with Halloween and AMC’s annual “Fearfest” two-week marathon of horror and thriller pics.