AMC Developing 'Walking Dead' Spinoff Series

AMC is in the spinoff empire business. The network announced on Monday that it was developing a companion series to The Walking Dead. The new series would be led by The Walking Dead producers Gale Anne Hurd, Dave Alpert and franchise creator Robert Kirkman. Variety has AMC's statement:

In a release, Charlie Collier, AMC’s president and general manager said, “Building on the success of the most popular show on television for adults 18-49 is literally a no-brainer. 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.” 

Kirkman added, “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. 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.”

This announcement comes less than a week after AMC greenlit Better Call Saul, the prequel spinoff to Breaking Bad. When the Better Call Saul news broke last week, I wondered how AMC was planning on making up for the loss of Breaking Bad and eventually Mad Men. Looks like the answer is sequels, prequels and spinoffs.

Considering the fact that this has become how the movie business works now, it's not a surprise TV is following that model. I hope AMC can continue to find original programming, though. Ozymandias, this past Sunday's episode of Breaking Bad, is arguably the greatest hour of scripted TV in history. Based on the reaction I saw to that episode, people aren't going to be over it quickly. If AMC focuses on Better Call Saul and The Walking Dead: The New Class, it needs to make sure it's still pushing for shows that have the potential to be something different.

The Walking Dead returns for its fourth season on Sunday, Oct. 13.