‘The Walking Dead’ Spinoff In Early Stages, Says Gale Ann Hurd

The Walking Dead executive producer Gale Ann Hurd said a spinoff series is still in the early stages.

AMC announced the spinoff, Spread the Dead, last month. The series will feature a new cast and will not be associated with Robert Kirkman’s Walking Dead comic books.

“We look forward to working with Robert, Gale and Dave [Alpert] again as we develop an entirely new story and cast of characters,” network president Charlie Collier said in a statement. “It’s a big world and we can’t wait to give fans another unforgettable view of the zombie apocalypse.”

Kirkman said he “couldn’t be more thrilled about getting the chance to create a new corner of The Walking Dead universe.”

Hurd said AMC decided to confirm the series early because they figured it would leak online anyway.

“It’s very early in the process,” she told MTV. “But we realized it was likely to leak the minute we started initial discussions… And that’s why the announcement was made.”

Hurd also said a concept was still being “batted around,” but that it wouldn’t be an anthology similar to the webisodes that are launched before each season.

“I do think the webisodes serve that purpose,” Hurd said. “Every year, they explicate a bit of backstory that fits in a character or theme you’ve seen in the series. That’s what I think is so fantastic about them. They’re expanding the world and the mythology of The Walking Dead.”

Three new webisodes were released last week. Titled “The Oath,” the narrative follows two survivors, Paul and Karina (Wyatt Russell and Ashley Bell), one of whom needs medical attention. The webisodes are directed by executive producer and makeup artist Greg Nicotero.

The Walking Dead season 4 premieres on AMC October 13. It will be the first season under new showrunner Scott Gimple.