All systems go for the companion series of "The Walking Dead" as AMC announced Monday that it has placed an order for two seasons of the upcoming show.
The spinoff series, earlier believed to be titled "Cobalt" and "Fear the Walking Dead," will air six episodes in its first season this summer, while the second season is scheduled to air in 2016.
The pilot episode of the companion series was written by "The Walking Dead" comic series writer Robert Kirkman along with "Sons of Anarchy's" Dave Erickson. Erickson also serves as the showrunner and executive producer for the series. Both of them are working with "TWD's" Gale Anne Hurd and Dave Alpert.
The network has been tightlipped about the plot of the new series, but AMC TV's blog revealed that the story will take place in Los Angeles.
AMC President Charlie Collier teased about the possible plot of the series, saying, "From the beginning of 'The Walking Dead' on AMC, we've been asked questions about what was going on in other parts of the zombie apocalypse, and what it looked like as the world really did turn. Through this new series, we're going to find out."
The still-untitled series casts "Gang Related's" Cliff Curtis, who will portray the role of Sean Cabrera, a teacher who shares a son with his ex-wife. He will be joined by "Sons of Anarchy" alum Kim Dickens, who will portray the role of guidance counselor Nancy who dates Sean. "Harry Potter's" Frank Dillane will be featured as Nancy's troubled son Nick, while Alycia Debnam Carey from "Into the Woods" will take on the role of Nancy's ambitious daughter Ashley.
Kirkman is very happy with the recent turn of events, saying, "We feel empowered by this two-season commitment, a serious show of faith from our network partner AMC."
The TWD creator added, "I personally take it as a sign that they believe, like we do, that we've accomplished our goal of developing something original that can pay tribute to the original show and expand the world I created while at the same time having something new to say with this story. I'm very grateful that we now have the opportunity to tell this amazing story and show the fans that we really haven't scratched the surface yet when it comes to The Walking Dead."
