Looks like The Walking Dead is losing another showrunner, but will be back for Season Four

THE WALKING DEAD has lost another showrunner which cannot be good news. Glen Mazzara, who took over from ousted producer Frank Darabont at the start of the second season is himself losing the same role. AMC made the announcement via the following statement:

Today, AMC announces the season 4 pick-up of The Walking Dead.

AMC also jointly announces with Glen Mazzara today that for future seasons, the two parties have mutually decided to part ways. Glen guided the series creatively for seasons 2 and 3. AMC is grateful for his hard work. We are both proud of our shared success.

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. This decision is amicable and Glen will remain on for post-production on season 3B as showrunner and executive producer.

Rumors swirled that AMC did not want to follow Darabont’s vision for the series. He also was hiring and firing writers and costs were soaring for the series. Mazzara shepherded the show to ratings glory two years in a row, but having AMC say there was a difference of opinion is oddly reminiscent of Darabont-gate.

Comic creator and show producer Robert Kirkman gave this statement: “I am in full support of both AMC and Glen Mazzara in the decision they have come to and believe the parties came to this decision in the best interest of the future of the show. I thank Glen for his hard work and appreciate his many contributions to The Walking Dead and look forward to working with him as we complete post production on Season 3. I am also excited to begin work on another spectacular season of this show that I know means so much to so many people. This show has always been the result of a wide range of extremely talented men and women working tirelessly to produce their best work collectively. I believe the future is bright for The Walking Dead. Thank you to the fans for your continued support.”

There was a definite shift between the two halves of the second season of the show, Darabont being involved with the beginning but not the end. So far, season 3 has been the most action-packed and visceral set of episodes yet. It remains to be seen who will take over for the now confirmed season 4, but I cannot recall any series lasting very long after losing one, let alone two, showrunners.