The Walking Dead gets a ninth season and a new showrunner

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

After the lackluster first half of The Walking Dead's eighth season and the shocking choice to kill off a very important character, a lot of the show's fans – including myself – have been saying that the series needs a new showrunner. Scott M. Gimple has been in charge since season 4, and it's feeling like he's burnt out.

Well, AMC has made the obvious decision to renew The Walking Dead for a ninth season, and a new showrunner will be taking over as of season 9.

The new showrunner is no newcomer to the show – it's Angela Kang, who started as a story editor on season 2 and has been working her way up through the ranks ever since. Kang has written 21 episodes over the years, including the season 4 and season 7 finales and the most recent episode, the season 8 midseason finale.

There is some bad news for fans who were calling out for Gimple to be fired, though. Gimple has actually been promoted into the newly created position of "chief content officer" and will be overseeing the entire Walking Dead franchise.

Charlie Collier, president of AMC, had this to say about the behind-the-scenes shakeup:

This is an enormously important day for the entire ‘The Walking Dead’ television universe. We are proud to acknowledge Angela’s significant contribution to the series and to set a clear path forward for a ninth season under her direction. Further, with gratitude and admiration, we also recognize Scott’s broad impact on, and leadership of, the content that fuels our TWD universe. Together, we will dream bigger and more broadly than ever before. I know I speak for Angela, Scott and everyone at AMC when I say thanks most of all to the fans and the many talented people who have helped AMC play ‘Dead.’"

Gimple added: 

‘The Walking Dead’ is a special show which started in an entirely different era of TV, and continues, in this new era, to confidently take chances to tell compelling stories that excite audiences and make them deeply connect with its characters, adapting Robert Kirkman’s brilliant comic book. As the show closes in on its tenth year, I’m honored to keep working with the talented, dedicated people behind and in front of the camera to make it all it can be, while expanding the world of ‘The Walking Dead’ with new narratives like ‘Fear the Walking Dead’ and a whole host of truly cool stories ahead. Angela is a big part of the heart and soul of ‘The Walking Dead,’ and I’m thrilled to help facilitate her vision of the show’s next era."

New showrunner Kang also shared her thoughts on her promotion: 

I am beyond thrilled to be stepping into this new role with ‘The Walking Dead’. Working on this series and having the opportunity to adapt Robert Kirkman’s amazing comic has been a fangirl dream come true for me. I’m excited to continue working with Scott and the wonderfully supportive folks at AMC, and can’t wait to share the next chapter of the story with our fans next fall.”

The Walking Dead season 9 will begin airing on AMC this fall, but in the meantime season 8 will resume on February 25th.

I'm not thrilled with the way things have been going during this season, but I'm interested in seeing how things might change with Kang running the show.