AMC Greenlights Third Series In 'The Walking Dead' Universe

AMC today announced that it has greenlit the third series in the expanding universe of The Walking Dead, an original drama co-created by Scott M. Gimple, chief content officer of The Walking Dead universe, and Matt Negrete, who has been a writer and producer on The Walking Dead for the past five seasons and will be showrunner of the new series. Produced and distributed by AMC Studios, the series will begin production on 10 episodes this summer in Virginia and premiere on AMC in 2020.

"We're thrilled that the Dead will keep walking into a new corner of the post-apocalyptic world, a corner that will present stories and characters unlike any that The Walking Dead has dramatized thus far, and that is bound to excite one of the most passionate fanbases in television," said David Madden, president of programming for AMC Networks and AMC Studios. "Scott has been an invaluable leader for the Universe since taking on the role of chief content officer, with a distinct and innovative vision for the franchise. Likewise, we're excited to have Matt, who has been a crucial part of The Walking Dead family for over five years and penned many memorable episodes of TWD, at the helm of this original series."

"On the heels of an incredible ninth season of The Walking Dead and as we approach an anticipated new season of Fear the Walking Dead on June 2, this is an exciting moment for the Dead franchise, which continues to thrive in a highly competitive environment," said Sarah Barnett, president of the entertainment networks group for AMC Networks. "We are thankful to be working with some of the best creatives in the business to expand this Universe in new and exciting ways for our fans."

"Showing audiences an unseen pocket of The Walking Dead Universe steeped in a new mythology is a very cool way to celebrate a 'Decade of the Dead' on TV and over fifteen years of Robert Kirkman's brilliant comic," said Gimple. "Matt Negrete is one of the best writer-producers in TWD's long history -- I'm thrilled to be working beside him to tell stories unlike we've seen before, taking our first step into an even larger world."

"I'm beyond excited to be a part of this new show set in The Walking Dead Universe," said Negrete. "Writing and producing for the original series has been the job of a lifetime and I'm honored to be working with Scott and all the fine Dead folks at AMC in this new capacity. I can't wait for the fans of the franchise to see what we've been cooking up!"

The third series in a franchise that includes the global hit series The Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead will feature two young female protagonists and focus on the first generation to come-of-age in the apocalypse as we know it. Some will become heroes. Some will become villains. In the end, all of them will be changed forever. Grown-up and cemented in their identities, both good and bad.

Based on the comic book series written by Kirkman and published by Image Comics, The Walking Dead and Fear the Walking Dead reign as the #1 and #4 cable dramas among adults 18-49 in Nielsen live+3 ratings, respectively. Both series take place in the months and years after a zombie apocalypse and follow different groups of survivors traveling in search of a safe and secure home.