The Walking Dead (TV Series)

***The Walking Dead*** is a post-apocalyptic horror drama series developed by Frank Darabont. It is based on the comic book series of the same name by Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore.

The story follows a group of survivors throughout the years of a zombie apocalypse, trying to stay alive under near-constant threat of attack from zombies (known as "walkers"). However, with the fall of humanity, these survivors are eventually forced to face hostile conflict from other groups of survivors and later on communities with their own sets of rules and morals, often leading to battles on a war for the future of a new civilization.

## Development

On January 20, 2010, AMC officially announced that it had ordered a pilot for a possible series adaptation from *The Walking Dead* comic book series, with Frank Darabont and Gale Anne Hurd acting as executive producers and Darabont writing and directing. The entire series was pre-ordered based just on the strength of the source material, the television scripts, and Darabont's involvement. The pilot began filming in Atlanta, Georgia on May 15, 2010, with the rest of the episodes on June 2, after AMC had officially ordered a six-episode first season.

On November 8, 2010, AMC confirmed that there would be a second season consisting of 13 episodes. In July 2011, Darabont was fired from his position as showrunner for the series, over unethical business practices from AMC higher-ups. Glen Mazzara replaced him as the new showrunner for the remainder of Season 2 until the conclusion of Season 3 when he parted ways with AMC due to creative differences and the audience backlash.

On January 14, 2013, Scott Gimple became showrunner for Season 4. In January 2018, it was announced that Gimple was promoted to Chief Content Officer of the entire *Walking Dead* franchise and that Angela Kang would replace him as showrunner beginning with Season 9.

## Main Cast and Characters

This list below contains all the actors that have been credited within the series' title sequence and those who are also credited as "Also Starring" with a series regular status.

### Starring

#### Current

* Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon (11/11)
* Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier (11/11)
* Christian Serratos as Rosita Espinosa (7/11)
* Josh McDermitt as Eugene Porter (8/11)
* Seth Gilliam as Gabriel Stokes (6/11)
* Ross Marquand as Aaron (7/11)
* Khary Payton as Ezekiel (5/11)
* Ryan Hurst as Beta (2/11)
* Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan (6/11)

#### Former

* Samantha Morton as Alpha (2/11)
* Danai Gurira as Michonne (9/11)
* Alanna Masterson as Tara Chambler (6/11)
* Katelyn Nacon as Enid (5/11)
* Tom Payne as Jesus (4/11)
* Lauren Cohan as Maggie Rhee (10/11)
* Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes (9/11)
* Lennie James as Morgan Jones (6/11)
* Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes (8/11)
* Sonequa Martin-Green as Sasha Williams (6/11)
* Steven Yeun as Glenn Rhee (7/11)
* Michael Cudlitz as Abraham Ford (4/11)
* Chad Coleman as Tyreese Williams (3/11)
* Emily Kinney as Beth Greene (4/11)
* David Morrissey as The Governor (3/11)
* Scott Wilson as Hershel Greene (4/11)
* Laurie Holden as Andrea (3/11)
* Michael Rooker as Merle Dixon (3/11)
* Sarah Wayne Callies as Lori Grimes (3/11)
* Jon Bernthal as Shane Walsh (4/11)
* Jeffrey DeMunn as Dale Horvath (2/11)

### Also Starring

#### Current

* Callan McAuliffe as Alden (3/11)
* Eleanor Matsuura as Yumiko (3/11)
* Cooper Andrews as Jerry (4/11)
* Nadia Hilker as Magna (3/11)
* Cailey Fleming as Judith Grimes (9/11)
* Cassady McClincy as Lydia (3/11)
* Lauren Ridloff as Connie (2/11)

#### Former

* Avi Nash as Siddiq (3/11)
* Pollyanna McIntosh as Anne (3/11)
* Xander Berkeley as Gregory (4/11)
* Austin Amelio as Dwight (3/11)
* Steven Ogg as Simon (3/11)
* Austin Nichols as Spencer Monroe (3/11)
* Tovah Feldshuh as Deanna Monroe (2/11)
* Alexandra Breckenridge as Jessie Anderson (2/11)
* Lawrence Gilliard Jr. as Bob Stookey (2/11)
* Andrew J. West as Gareth (2/11)

## Critical Reception

The first season received positive reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a score of 87%.

The second season received positive reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a score of 80%.

The third season received positive reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a score of 88%.

The fourth season received positive reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a score of 83%.

The fifth season received critical acclaim. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a score of 90%.

The sixth season received positive reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a score of 76%.

The seventh season received mixed reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a score of 64%.

The eighth season received mixed reviews. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a score of 64%.

The ninth season received critical acclaim. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a score of 91%.

The tenth season received critical acclaim. On Rotten Tomatoes, it has a score of 91%.

## Awards and Accolades

* *List of awards and nominations received by The Walking Dead on Wikipedia*

## References

1. ↑ https://bloody-disgusting.com/editorials/20803/the-walking-dead-set-visit-preview-the-bloodiest-show-ever/
2. ↑ http://tv.ign.com/articles/106/1062319p1.html
3. ↑ https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/19047/
4. ↑ https://tvbythenumbers.zap2it.com/network-press-releases/the-walking-dead-lives-on-amc-network-greenlights-series-based-on-comic-books/46517/
5. ↑ http://www.thefutoncritic.com/news/2010/11/08/amc-resurrects-the-walking-dead-for-a-second-season-639014/20101108amc01/
6. ↑ https://www.tvguide.com/news/the-walking-dead-why-frank-darabont-was-fired/
7. ↑ https://deadline.com/2011/07/glen-mazzara-to-succeed-frank-darabont-as-walking-dead-showrunner-150592/
8. ↑ https://www.huffpost.com/entry/the-walking-dead-season-4-glen-mazzara\_n\_2346734
9. ↑ https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/live-feed/walking-dead-showrunner-scott-gimple-glen-mazzara-406144
10. ↑ https://variety.com/2018/tv/news/walking-dead-scott-gimple-angela-kang-showrunner-renewed-season-9-1202624753/