The Walking Dead has been renewed for a fifth season

As fans continue to flock to AMC’s THE WALKING DEAD, it seems almost unnecessary to announce that it will be returning for a new season. But, as most television shows can lose an audience quickly, and with AMC pondering a second WALKING DEAD series featuring an all-new cast and story, it seems cautious to make sure the numbers are still there.

So, three episodes in and record ratings compared to the prior three seasons and it is official: THE WALKING DEAD will be back for a fifth season! AMC President Charlie Collier made the following statement.

“We are very happy to make what has to be one of the most anti-climactic renewal announcements ever: The Walking Dead is renewed for a fifth season. This is a show that has erased traditional distinctions between cable and broadcast. Its expanding base of passionate fans has grown every season, most recently – and most notably – with the season four premiere earlier this month, which broke viewership records for the series and became the biggest non-sports telecast in cable history.”

Despite losing multiple showrunners since the series premiere, AMC announced current showrunner Scott Gimple will be returning for the newly renewed show. Season 4 has presented the survivors with their deadliest threat, a virus, which they cannot control and has pitted them against each other. It remains to be seen exactly who will make it to the end of this season, but there are already some characters who are probably on the chopping block.

I enjoy THE WALKING DEAD and look forward to many years of the show. Hopefully other series will take a cue and deliver high quality horror and drama without sacrificing one for the other. THE WALKING DEAD airs Sundays on AMC.