Walking Dead Renewed for Season 9 as Series Taps New Showrunner

AMC’s The Walking Dead is set to return for a ninth season albeit with some slight changes as the network has promoted Angela Kang to the role of showrunner, with now-former showrunner Scott M. Gimple serving as the chief content officer regarding all things The Walking Dead.

The network announced today that The Walking Dead, which is still a cable phenomenon even as ratings have continued to dwindle over the years, is set to return for a ninth season. However, there will be some major changes behind the scenes. Kang, who has served as a writer and co-executive producer on the series, will now presume the role of showrunner in place of Gimple, who has taken on a much larger role and will oversee all factors involving the series. This includes The Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead, “as well as gaming and future brand extensions on a variety of platforms, among other areas.” The change-up comes after comic creator by Robert Kirkman signed an overall deal with Amazon studios. While Kirkman still remains involved in all things surrounding the flagship series, his main focus is on his Amazon projects.

Charlie Collier, president of AMC, SundanceTV and AMC Studios, said in a statement:

“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.”
Fear the Walking Dead showrunners Andrew Chambliss and Ian Goldberg will report directly to Gimple, who will also oversee the spinoff in his new role. This is one of the creative shake-ups on the series, which has failed to capture the same excitement as its predecessor, with the series set to crossover with the flagship series. Gimple will stay on as showrunner through the remainder of season 8 of The Walking Dead, with Kang officially taking over leading into Season 9.

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The Walking Dead returns Feb. 25 at 9 p.m. on AMC. The show stars Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes, Norman Reedus as Daryl Dixon, Lauren Cohan as Maggie Rhee, Chandler Riggs as Carl Grimes, Danai Gurira as Michonne, Melissa McBride as Carol Peletier, Lennie James as Morgan Jones, Alanna Masterson as Tara Chambler, Josh McDermitt as Eugene Porter, Christian Serratos as Rosita Espinosa and Jeffrey Dean Morgan as Negan.

(via The Hollywood Reporter)