AMC has announced that it has renewed The Walking Dead for a ninth season, and the hit zombie drama will once again be welcoming a new showrunner, with long time TWD writer Angela Kang set to replace Scott M. Gimple.
Unlike previous showrunners Frank Darabont and Glen Mazzara, Gimple has not been axed, but is instead set to move into a new position as Chief Content Officer of Fear the Walking Dead, and “potential brand extensions on a variety of platforms.”
“This is an enormously important day for the entire The Walking Dead television universe,” said AMC chief Charlie Collier. “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.”
“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,” added Gimple. “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.”
“I am beyond thrilled to be stepping into this new role with The Walking Dead,” stated Kang. “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.”
