The Walking Dead renewed for Season 9, but without Scott Gimple as showrunner

AMC has announced that The Walking Dead will be back for a ninth season next fall, but without Scott Gimple returning as showrunner.

Instead, Gimple will be heading up the chain as Chief Content Officer overseeing TWD as well as Fear The Walking Dead. Although Gimple injected energy into the show with Season 4, following Glen Mazzara's departure, but has since raised the ire of fans and critics. Moving him to a different position keeps him in the TWD family but will prevent him from overseeing the day-to-day on the show.

Meanwhile, Angela Kang, will take over as showrunner for the October 2018 season. Kang has served on the zombie show as a writer and co-executive producer on the post-apocalyptic drama since 2011, and was behind episodes "Still," and "Coda."

Now, for spoiler territory for those who aren't caught up on the show

But Gimple's departure comes on the heels of the controversial death of Chandler Rigg's Carl Grimes, which was set up in the Dec. 10 midseason premiere, and will play out Feb. 25 when the show returns for the back-half of Season 8.

Meanwhile, Riggs and Gimple aren't the only folks leaving the main show: Lennie James, who plays Morgan, is departing the show to  join Fear the Walking Dead.

OK, now that we have that out of the way, check out this funny "true" (not true) spoilers revealed by The Walking Dead cast from Entertainment Weekly.

-Aaron Sagers

AMC Releases First Four Minutes of Season Five Premiere

Tonight is the night, "Walking Dead" fans! We've been waiting for what seems like an eternity for the start of season five and to make waiting until the premiere a little easier, AMC released the first four minutes of the episode. As expected, it's brutal and it starts with a surprising flashback of Gareth and a group trapped in the same way Rick and his "family" are trapped. Then it flashes to "Now" and things get really uncomfortable.

Check out the beginning of the Scott Gimple-written, "No Sanctuary" and of course, tune in tonight at 9 p.m. ET followed by "Talking Dead" at 10 p.m. ET.



-Larissa Mrykalo

'The Walking Dead' Will Return For a Sixth Season

Courtesy AMC

We knew it was as inevitable as a zombie apocalypse, but now it's official..."The Walking Dead" will be back for a sixth season. The fifth season premieres on Sunday, October 12 at 9 p.m. ET and AMC gave us this treat to hold us over. Although we don't know how many episodes will be included, the announcement revealed that executive producer and show runner, Scott Gimple would be in charge of the horde.

AMC President Charlie Collier stated, "We could not be more excited for October 12th as we share new episodes of 'The Walking Dead' with fans around the globe. In advance of Sunday's season five premiere, AMC proudly confirms a sixth season order of this extraordinary series. Thank you to Robert Kirkman, Scott Gimple, the terrific executive producers, and the entire team who brings this compelling world and these rich characters to life. There's plenty more Dead ahead thanks to their impressive, collective effort."

To put you in the mood for this Sunday, here are the latest videos from AMC featuring U2’s new song “The Troubles" (featuring Lykke Li).



-Larissa Mrykalo

Season Five Look at 'The Walking Dead' Plus New Character Confirmation

Courtesy YouTube

To end AMC's Dead, White and Blue weekend, a season five peek at "The Walking Dead" was provided and it looks like Carol and company are in dire straights. Carol, Tyreese and (bigger?) Baby Judith clearly haven't made it to Terminus but it looks like they have "more" problems.

How about that rumor of Jon Hamm playing the villain, Negan (rumor thanks to Robert Kirkman deeming him perfect for the role)? Showrunner, Scott Gimple confirmed on "Talking Dead" that the character's show entrance would be "coming up eventually." Will Hamm be taking on the role? Regardless, his presence will prove to be quite interesting!

The series returns this October.

-Larissa Mrykalo

AMC's Dead, White and Blue Weekend Includes a 'The Walking Dead' Marathon and Peek at Season Five

This Independence Day offers several options for indoor fun, especially if the weather ends up being apocalyptic. Starting at 9 a.m. ET on July 4, AMC’s Dead, White and Blue Weekend begin and feature the first four seasons of "The Walking Dead." The marathon will lead up to the Season Five "Talking Dead" Preview Special on Sun. July 6th at 9 p.m. ET. Hosted by Chris Hardwick, the special will feature "The Walking Dead" showrunner and executive producer Scott M. Gimple and actress Aisha Tyler. Might we suggest dressing up like Terminus resident "Mary" when you do your barbecuing? Ya know, just to freak out your fellow TWD fans?

The video below pretty much sums up the details above but it includes a Season Five greeting so that's cool too!



-Larissa Mrykalo

Prepping for 'The Walking Dead' Season Four Finale: Questions, Thoughts and Theories

BY LARISSA MRYKALO

Fans of "The Walking Dead" are bracing themselves for the season four finale tonight. I don't think any fan would argue that this last half of the season has been riveting, gut-wrenching and overall, stressful (in a good way) to watch. The character development has been strong this season and I feel pretty comfortable in saying that we've grown to genuinely care about what happens to these folks. Even Chris Hardwick pointed out on his wrap-up show, "Talking Dead" that he often (accidentally) views these characters as real people.

So here we are, at the end of the fourth season, wondering what the hell is going to happen tonight. Based on interviews, including one with Robert Kirkman, the perceived hope at the end of the last episode, is not going to last. He warned The Hollywood Reporter,"I would expect a very high level of deadliness. Our season finale is not going to disappoint anyone; we've got some big stuff planned." Showrunner, Scott Gimple, solidified this ominous message, "It's pretty deadly. There will be some very difficult, shaking moments for these characters. Everything they know is shaken." Norman Reedus probably best summed up "A" as, "insane -- it's f---ing nuts!"

'Walking Dead' gets new showrunner

Gimple and undead, courtesy Scot Gimple

There has been much speculation as to whom the new showrunner would be on AMC's zombie series The Walking Dead. It turns out, it’s going to be recently fired Glen Mazzara’s number two man.

His name is Scott Gimple and he’s a top writer on the show. He jumped on the the zombie train during Season 2 and he’s written several episodes for not only S2 but also the upcoming third season.

The Hollywood Reporter is reporting Gimple will "take the helm of the series when it resumes production later this year for season four."

Regarding Mazzara’s departure, "Both parties acknowledge that there is a difference of opinion about where the show should go moving forward and conclude that it is best to part ways," AMC said in a statement early Friday announcing the show's fourth-season renewal.

"This decision is amicable, and Glen will remain on for postproduction on season 3B as showrunner and executive producer."

One thing that the AMC statement did not touch on was THR's reports that Mazzara was frequently behind on his schedule and clashed with "very proprietary" creator Robert Kirkman.

So will this third showrunner be a charm? Or, will he meet the same fate as Mazzara and first (also fired) showrunner, Frank Darabont? As long as the show keeps getting renewed and our zombie lust is sated, we’re happy!

The Walking Dead resumes its third season this Feb. 10 at 9 p.m. ET on AMC.

-Larissa Mrykalo