'The Walking Dead' renewed for season 6

Days ahead of The Walking Dead’s season-five premiere, AMC has already renewed the show for season six.

The AMC zombie drama, which returns Sunday at 9 p.m. ET, has become the No. 1 show on television in the adults 18-49 demographic for the last two years, a feat almost unheard of for a cable show.

“We could not be more excited for October 12th as we share new episodes of The Walking Dead with fans around the globe,” said AMC President Charlie Collier in a statement. “In advance of Sunday’s season five premiere, AMC proudly confirms a sixth season order of this extraordinary series. Thank you to Robert Kirkman, Scott Gimple, the terrific executive producers, and the entire team who brings this compelling world and these rich characters to life. There’s plenty more Dead ahead thanks to their impressive, collective effort.”

Gimple is slated to return as showrunner alongside executive producers Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, David Alpert, Greg Nicotero and Tom Luse. The news comes on the heels that AMC also ordered a pilot for a companion series to The Walking Dead based on a new story.