Rick is the one in red. The rest will eat you.
Despite AMC's slip up with its remake of The Prisoner, we're pretty confident that it will continue to pump out quality programming to join its two hits Breaking Bad and Mad Men. And the next show to join the network's slate will be an adaptation of Robert Kirkman's graphic novel series The Walking Dead, a comic about... ZOMBIES. Today AMC ordered six episodes of the show for its first season, making me one very happy nerd.
As far as trends go, zombies are a thing I can get behind. And having read the first book of the series, I can say that The Walking Dead is more than just about a few survivors running through a mall while lumbering undead try and snack on their frontal lobes.
Though shuffling meatbags with an appetite for braaaaains will be the initial draw of The Walking Dead, the real deal with the comic is how human nature evolves (or devolves) through crisis and the need for survival trumps morality. Because of this, the series is primed for some incredibly tense moments even when zombies aren't on screen.
The lead role has yet to be cast, but a new frontrunner has come into light, according to horror site Bloody Disgusting. Jonny Lee Miller, formerly of Eli Stone and Trainspotting is in talks to play Rick Grimes, the cop who wakes from a coma to find America overrun by the living dead. Other candidates rumored for the role include Mark Pellegrino (Jacob from Lost, Lucifer from Supernatural) and Jamie Bamber (Apollo from Battlestar Galactica). If either Miller or Pellegrino gets cast, I'll be a happy camper.
Overseeing and helming the project will be Frank Darabont, the director of The Shawshank Redemption and The Green Mile.
Can you tell I'm excited for this?
Follow TV.com writer Tim Surette on Twitter: @TimAtTVDotCom
Comments (35)
sound awesome
this sounds soooo good ! I hope to see some glimpses online over the next year
the comics are amazing... but they don't have super amounts of gore... like there is some... but AMC could show that... more about human interaction... its gonna be great...
HMMM, could be great, the comics are outstanding, but being on AMC i wonder how much the horror will be downplayed, zombies are generally pretty gorey and nasty, this shoulda been an HBO or showtime series, look how great and gory the trueblood series turned out, still cautiously optimistic
Huh a show about zombies.. sounds interesting
ZOMBIES!!!!!
zombies! can't wait!
You really can't explain to anyone how good the book is. It truly does have to be read to be appreciated and once you read one story arc you will never stop.
THIS.IS.AMMMAZZZZINGGGG!
I'm not lying when I say this is the BEST comic being published right now (the Boys by Garth Ennis is second). As a fan of the comic and Darabont's film work, I can tell you he's perfect for the job. He understands people in crisis and our own vile nature, plus he's one of the only guys out there to make amazing film adaptations of Stephen King's work. This will fit right in at AMC (though i have to wonder if they'll tone down the language used int he comic). Also, I really want Mark Pellegrino to get the part of Rick, though Miller and Bamber are also great. Prior to the names popping up, my personal picks were Garret Dillahunt, Josh Holloway, Peter Krause, or Ben Foster. Ah well. Should turn out pretty awesome, I didn't expect them to greenlight six episodes so soon, I only knew the pilot being filmed in May and we'd know for sure if it got picked up after that. It's fantastic news. If they do it right and get the right mix of actors it'll be one of the best shows on TV. Also, FYI Jon Bernthal has been cast as Shane.moreless
Very very excited. I love The Walking Dead comic series.
I can't wait!!!! This is going to be great.
I almost wish the folks doing World War Z would consider a miniseries approach instead of a single movie because I don't think it's doable given the scope of the work.
I have only two words....
"Jacobs.........Braaaaaiiiiiinnnssssss!"
yes. yes. a 1000 times yes!
yes. yes. a 1000 times yes!
Whelp, I'm definitely going to have to start the comic now. Considering my love of zombies and comics, it shouldn't be hard.OR, should I give the series a chance first, then get the actual story from the comics?
i can't weaght i love Zombies they scare the *** out of me but i will only be able to watch it once.
I really don't like zombies.
That's nerdtastic! I've always wanted more zombies on TV...
I read the comic; if they manage to portray the serious nature of it, it will be a first for zombie flicks - here's hopin'!
If they do a good job with this like Breaking Bad and Mad Men, this will be awesome!
you had me at hello
A zombie show on AMC?? Frank Darabont involved? Mark Pellegrino possibly starring? My god. This sounds amazing!
The Walking Dead is an amazing comic book series. Robert Kirkman is one of the top writers in the business right now. If done well, this could be amazing. Kind of wary of it being on AMC, but I'll definitely give it a chance.
An odd series for AMC to take on given the recent history of horror series on TV hasn't been good....we shall see..
This is going to be awesome. I love zombie movies, and I've always wanted to see a Zombie TV Series. If it's done the right way, it could last.
I'll watch, but I don't think it can't survive more than a season, or maybe two...Don't see how.
AMC. Zombies. I'll watch!
i am checking this out too
zombies are wayyyyyyyyy better than vampires!sick to death of them!
Zombies...on AMC? Okay then.
YES!!!
ooooh i sooooo hope this happens, i'm up to date with the volumes released over here in the uk so far, of this fails i'll loose hope n the human race as TV fairers unless it turns out as a bad egg
I'm there.
I definitely plan on checking this out when it eventually airs.