‘The Walking Dead’ Gets 9th Season. Scott M. Gimple Removed As Showrunner.
‘The Walking Dead‘ has been renewed for its 9th Season, but things are changing behind the camera over at zombie headquarters AMC announced today.
The renewal itself doesn’t come as much of a shock, given the show’s mass appeal for the network (despite a decline in ratings, and a lawsuit going on behind the scenes.) However, the announcement that longtime showrunner Scott M. Gimple was being replaced came as a bit more of a shock… Although not necessarily an unwelcome one. Gimple isn’t leaving the show entirely, but is being bumped up to a newly created Chief Content Officer of all things ‘Walking Dead’. So that will cover the main show plus its spin-off ‘Fear The Walking Dead’. Longtime ‘Walking Dead’ writer Angela Kang will take over TWD showrunning duties.
“This is an enormously important day for the entire The Walking Dead television universe,” commented AMC boss Charlie Collier. “We are proud to acknowledge Angela’s significant contribution to the series and to set a clear path forward for a 9th 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.”
Gimple has taken some flak recently due to his controversial decision to (trying to avoid spoilers here…), let us say, “massively alter” one characters story arc from the comic books. Stories from the set also don’t paint his handling of the actor facing the… “massive alteration”… in the best light either. Gimple is the 3rd person to take on the role of showrunner after original creator Frank Darabont, and Glen Mazzara. He’s been involved with the series since season 2, before rising to showrunner in season 4.
Kang has also been on the show as a writer since season 2 before adding a producer credit in season 3, and then a co-executive producer in season 5. “I am beyond thrilled to be stepping into this new role with ‘The Walking Dead’” Kang commented on her new gig. “Working on this series and having the opportunity to adapt Robert Kirkman’s amazing comic has been a fangirl dream come true for me. I’m excited to continue working with Scott and the wonderfully supportive folks at AMC, and can’t wait to share the next chapter of the story with our fans next fall.”
‘The Walking Dead‘ Season 8 returns for part 2 on Fox UK from Monday, 26th February 2018 at 9:00 pm.
