‘The Walking Dead’ Creator’s New Drama ‘Outcast’ Is All Go

Exciting news for fans of The Walking Dead as the Hollywood Reporter can confirm that series creator Robert Kirkman’s new drama Outcast has been picked up by Cinemax. The network – which is a TV sibling of HBO – has ordered a 10-episode series, although no air date has been announced. Outcast was picked up by the network after an intense bidding war.

HBO programming president, Michael Lombardo, has expressed his excitement at being able to work with The Walking Dead creator.

“We are thrilled to be in business with Robert Kirkman, a visionary talent who has the unique ability to tap into today’s zeitgeist, making him a perfect fit for the newly expanded Cinemax roster.”

Lombardo is not the only one who is excited about the project. FIC president and CEO, Hernan Lopex, has also expressed interest in Outcast.

“We couldn’t be more excited to bring Robert Kirkman’s new drama to Cinemax. Outcast is an ambitious series and Adam Wingard has directed a powerful pilot. I am very proud of the work that Robert, Sharon [Tal Yguado – of Fox International Channels] and team have put together.”

According to Cinemablend, Outcast will follow Kyle Barnes (played by Patrick Fugit) as he battles with demonic possession and tries to protect his loved ones from harm. Teaming up with Reverend Anderson (played by British actor Philip Glenister), the pair must try to figure out why Barnes is being targeted and, “in doing so [unleash] a secret that may change the world as we know it.”

The series will also star Gabriel Bateman, better known as Ethan from Stalker and Robert from the 2014 horror Annabelle. Bateman will take on the role of Joshua Austin, a, “young boy who lives across the city from Kyle, but is still closer to him than almost anyone else, due to his own demonic possession,” Cinemablend confirms.

With the immense popularity of The Walking Dead series still booming, Outcast could be the network’s chance to follow up that success with this latest Kirkman project. As recently as February, The Walking Dead is expecting some new faces [spoilers in link], showing just how much steam is still left in the show.

Robert Kirkman is the creative mind behind The Walking Dead comic books which was first launched in 2004 and published by Image Comics. To date there are 137 issues available. Outcast was penned by Kirkman in 2014 and released under his own company, Skybound Entertainment. It took less than one month for the pilot to be picked up by Cinemax.