In an "exclusive" report earlier this week, Deadline reported that Executive Producer of The Walking Dead Frank Darabont had fired the writing staff on the freshman hit series which had a lot of fans worrying about the future of the show. But new information has surfaced regarding the future of the writers and the show that sheds more light on the situation.
In an exclusive interview with Entertainment Weekly, Producer Gale Hurd denies reports of the recent firings saying
"It’s completely inaccurate”. “[In] the writers’ room, there are people that have set up other projects that will be their first priority if their own series is picked up as a pilot or if it’s a series.
Which makes sense seeing as the first season was only 6 episodes and there was no guarantee of a second season being ordered by AMC. But will Greg Nicotero, the make up effects creator on the first season return?
We certainly hope he’ll be back,” said Hurd. “As with everything, it’s subject to availability. But he’s a very important member of the team as are his colleagues at [Nicotero's effects house] KNB. KNB will still be [doing] our makeup effects.”
In the interview, Hurd also confirms the return the of the cast and offers more information about the second season of the show.
The Walking Dead will probably return in October. “I think Frank and Robert [Kirkman, writer of the Walking Dead comic and an executive producer on the show] will sit down early next year, to begin mapping it out.” She also confirmed that “every one of the principal cast is signed up for multiple seasons.”
Catch up on the show with a marathon presentation this Sunday on AMC starting at 4:30/3:30c. The season one finale episode follows right after. To catch a sneak peek of the finale, click on the video below.