'The Walking Dead' names new showrunner

AMC made it official today by announcing that Scott M. Gimple will take over as showrunner and executive producer of The Walking Dead for season four. Production will resume in Atlanta, GA. on May 6.

Gimple has been on the show’s writing staff since season two. “Scott has been an essential part of this show since he came aboard at the very beginning of season two. He’s contributed to guiding this show in a substantial way that has resulted in a lot of the key scenes and storylines fans have dubbed signature moments of The Walking Dead,” said Executive Producer Robert Kirkman in a statement. “I am thrilled to begin work on a brand new season of The Walking Dead with Scott at the helm, and I truly believe we could be embarking on what will be the best season of this show yet.”

“I’m thrilled to continue the tradition of the spectacular, cinematic, horrifying, exciting and emotional storytelling of The Walking Dead,” added Gimple in a statement. “I’m a huge fan of the comics, and started with the show on the other side of the set, as an avid viewer. Over the past two years, it’s been an incredible privilege making such great television with the best cast and crew I’ve ever worked with – I can’t wait to make some more.”

Gimple, who was responsible for episode 306 (“Hounded”) and last season’s climatic mid-season finale episode 207 (“Pretty Much Dead Already”), which revealed Sophia in the barn, is the third showrunner on the AMC drama since it launched in 2010. The first was Frank Darabont, who left during season 2. He was replaced by Glen Mazzara, who left just as AMC greenlit a fourth season. But the revolving chair in the writers room hasn’t affected ratings: The series continues to attract double-digit viewership.