'Fear the Walking Dead' premiere: What to expect

Spin-off series "Fear the Walking Dead" is premiering August 23 and is expected to draw millions of viewers and fans of the original "Walking Dead" series. However, creators have clearly pointed out that hose who are planning to get started with this new series are not required to have already watched "The Walking Dead" to understand it, so they are hoping to attract new viewers as well as fans of the original show. Robert Kirkman, creator of the comics the shows are based on, assured that "it tells its own story."

There won't be walkers or flesh-eaters popping here and there in the show (at least this early) as it is set in Los Angeles before the zombie epidemic sweeps the city and while Rick is in a coma. This should let viewers learn what the place was like before walkers took over.

The official poster for AMC's Fear the Walking Dead Facebook/ FearTWD

However, Kirkman has already emphasized emphasized that the cause of the outbreak won't be revealed in the series. "Fear the Walking Dead" focuses on the life of a problematic family and through them, viewers will see the society eventually succumb to inevitable disaster.

In the plot, Travis (Cliff Curtis), an English teacher has recently divorced with his wife Liza (Elizabeth Rodriguez) and has found new romance with Madison Clark (Kim Dickens), a guidance counselor who has two kids – outstanding student Alicia (Alycia Debnam-Carey) and heroin addict Nick (Frank Dillane).

Travis and Liza had a teenage son named Chris (Lorenzo James Henrie) and the latter attempts to blend his two families, which was too much for Liza and Chris. As they unknowingly journey to the place's certain undead-related doom (which fans have a lot of knowledge about), the group will sort out their own issues.

This proved a challenge to the team behind the series. "It's about how quickly do we educate our characters so that the audience doesn't lose patience with them," "Fear the Walking Dead" executive producer Dave Erickson told Mashable.

"There's also something interesting to me about an audience knowing more than the characters do because if you care about the characters, hopefully you lean in a little bit more because you want them to understand so that they can protect themselves," he added.

AMC recently released a clip showing the first three minutes of "Fear the Walking Dead," which is both shockingly and unsurprisingly bloody. Be sure to watch the season premiere of "Fear the Walking Dead" on Sunday, Aug. 23 at 9 p.m. ET.  If you miss the episode, be sure to watch it online via live stream on AMC.

News
Church of England bishops were right to halt same-sex blessing plans - Bishop of Winchester 
Church of England bishops were right to halt same-sex blessing plans - Bishop of Winchester 

The Bishop of Winchester has defended the recent decision of the House of Bishops to pause plans to introduce standalone same-sex blessing services. 

Protecting girls and young women in the digital age
Protecting girls and young women in the digital age

It’s a missional priority for us as Christian communities to have open discussions about both the benefits and downsides of being online.

Rev Dr Richard Turnbull: former principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford
Rev Dr Richard Turnbull: former principal of Wycliffe Hall, Oxford

Richard Turnbull brought an unusual combination of skills to his life’s work. He died on 26 October, aged 65, having been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

Church-run shop volunteers receive prestigious award for decades of service
Church-run shop volunteers receive prestigious award for decades of service

The local area suffered significantly after the closure of the Ravenscraig Steel Works.