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The Walking Dead Renewed for Season 9, Angela Kang Promoted to Showrunner
AMC officially announced this week that The Walking Dead has been renewed for a ninth season. The next season for the show will premiere in late 2018. The announcement was made before AMC’s presentation at the Television Critics Association Press Tour earlier today.
That’s not the only major news for the show. AMC also confirmed that current showrunner Scott M. Gimple is getting a promotion to Chief Content Officer for the Dead TV universe that includes The Walking Dead, Fear The Walking Dead, and potential brand extensions on other platforms. Also, Angela Kang, who has been a writer on the show since 2011 and a co-executive producer since 2013, is now getting promoted to executive producer and showruner for the ninth season.
Speaking on the news, AMC President Charlie Collier stated: āThis is an enormously important day for the entire āThe Walking Deadā television universe. We are proud to acknowledge Angelaās 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 Scottās 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 āDead.āā
Gimple added on the news: āāThe Walking Deadā 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 Kirkmanās brilliant comic book. As the show closes in on its tenth year, Iām 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 āThe Walking Deadā with new narratives like āFear the Walking Deadā and a whole host of truly cool stories ahead. Angela is a big part of the heart and soul of āThe Walking Dead,ā and Iām thrilled to help facilitate her vision of the showās next era.ā
Kang stated on becoming showrunner: āI am beyond thrilled to be stepping into this new role with āThe Walking Dead.ā Working on this series and having the opportunity to adapt Robert Kirkmanās amazing comic has been a fangirl dream come true for me. Iām excited to continue working with Scott and the wonderfully supportive folks at AMC, and canāt wait to share the next chapter of the story with our fans next fall.ā
The show is produced by AMC studios and is the No. 1 show on TV among adults 18-49. The Walking Dead will resume its eighth season on Sunday, February 25 on AMC. Fear the Walking Dead is currently in production for its fourth season, which will debut on April 22, and Lennie James will join the cast as Morgan Jones.