The Hollywood Reporter reveals that following the filming of the pilot, the still untitled companion series to The Walking Dead has now been ordered to series and renewed for a second season. The first season is set to run for six one hour long episodes (just like the first run of its parent series) and will premiere "late summer" with season two following in 2016. Robert Kirkman co-wrote the pilot with Dave Erickson (Sons of Anarchy) and Adam Davidson is directing. According to the site, "the series is a prequel that takes place in Los Angeles at the onset of the zombie outbreak." The cast includes Cliff Curtis (Gang Related), Kim Dickens (House of Cards), Frank Dillane (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince), and Alycia Debnam Carey (Into the Woods). Here's the first image:
"We take incredibly seriously the notion of building a satisfying companion series to the No. 1 show on television. From the beginning of The Walking Dead on AMC, we’ve been asked questions about what was going on in other parts of the zombie apocalypse, and what it looked like as the world really did ‘turn.’ Through this new series, we’re going to find out." AMC president Charlie Collier said in a statement released today announcing the two season order of the series. "Robert Kirkman, Dave Erickson and their writing team, along with an incomparable set of producers, cast and crew have created something remarkable and clearly distinct. We respectfully follow the request of Monty Python as we bring out (the latest of) our Dead."
"We feel empowered by this two-season commitment, a serious show of faith from our network partner AMC," Kirkman added. "I personally take it as a sign that they believe, like we do, that we've accomplished our goal of developing something original that can pay tribute to the original show and expand the world I created while at the same time having something new to say with this story. I’m very grateful that we now have the opportunity to tell this amazing story and show the fans that we really haven't scratched the surface yet when it comes to The Walking Dead."