AMC Orders Two Seasons of The Walking Dead Prequel Spin-Off
AMC is seeking to build on the success of the wildly popular show The Walking Dead by approving a new series that will operate as a prequel to the current show.
The Hollywood Reporter reports that The Walking Dead prequel has already been ordered for two seasons. Even if the show turns out to be terrible, the decision makes financial sense given that millions of people regularly tune into the show.
The premiere of the show's fifth season saw an astonishing 17 million people tune in to AMC so it stands to reason that at least a fraction of those viewers will give the new series a shot if they don't become outright fans. Adding to the commercial allure for AMC is the fact that The Walking Dead is the most popular show for people aged 18-49, which is one of the most coveted audiences for advertisers.
The first season of the new series will consist of six hour long installments that delve into life in Los Angeles before a zombie plague rages across the United States. The current series is set in the American South. The new show is supposed to air some time toward the end of summer 2015.
The pilot episode of the new series was written by Robert Kirkman, who authored the comic books on which both shows are based. The show is currently untitled and will revolve around a new set of characters.
