So far, all we’ve been told is that season 2 of The Walking Dead would premiere in October, but now, straight from Comic-Con, we have an official date. Here are the details from AMC:
AMC announced today from Comic-Con 2011 that the second season of “The Walking Dead” will premiere on Sunday, October 16th at 9PM EST. “The Walking Dead” is based on the comic book written by Robert Kirkman and published by Skybound and Image comics. The 13-episodes of season two will continue to tell the story of a group of survivors fighting for their lives after a zombie apocalypse.
At AMC’s “The Walking Dead” booth (#3721), fans can stop-by to take photos of themselves within a recreation of the infamous ‘Merle’ handcuff scene from season one. Today at 11:15 is AMC’s “The Walking Dead” panel event and season two trailer premiere in Ballroom 20. Also at AMC’s booth, from 1:30 – 2:30, there will be an autograph signing with the cast and producers and at 4:30, Tim Bradstreet and Frank Darabont will be signing a limited-edition, collectible poster. “The Walking Dead” can also be found elsewhere at Comic-Con with a presence at Neca’s booth (#3145) where there will be zombie paraphernalia; Abrams Publishing (Booth #1216) will be featuring The Walking Dead Chronicles, a companion book, which will hit stores in Fall; and Rubies costumes (Booth #3649) will be featuring “The Walking Dead” Halloween costumes of Rick, zombie girl, and more, which will hit retail in Fall.
In conjunction with today’s announcement, AMC released a first-look, four minute and 50 second trailer at Comic-con that previews what fans can expect and can be viewed now on http://www.amctv.com/the-walking-dead/videos/the-walking-dead-season-2-trailer-from-comic-con. The series premiere will coincide with the network’s annual blockbuster marathon of thriller and horror films, Fearfest, celebrating its 15th year by airing 14 consecutive days of themed programming with more than 50 films. Fearfest will premiere on Sunday October 16th and will run through Monday, October 31st.
“When we last left the cast of ‘The Walking Dead,’ they were in the midst of a high-intensity struggle to survive. In season two, they are on the move and suffice it to say, things have not gotten any easier,” said Charlie Collier, AMC’s president. “We’re ecstatic to have more than twice the amount of episodes for the fans as we did in season one and this year we’ve decided to kick-off our 15th annual Fearfest with ‘The Walking Dead.’ This event will unquestionably keep fans on the edge of their seats.”
“The overwhelmingly positive response to our first season has driven all of us, from the actors to the directors to the crew to the writers, to give absolutely everything we’ve got toward making this season meet or even exceed expectations. I’m glad I wasn’t the only one who couldn’t wait until Halloween to share season 2 with the world!,” Robert Kirkman.
“The Walking Dead” follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes, played by Andrew Lincoln (“Love Actually,” “Teachers,” “Strike Back”), who are traveling in search of a safe and secure home. Jon Bernthal (“The Pacific,” “The Ghost Writer”) plays Shane Walsh, Rick’s sheriff’s department partner before the apocalypse, and Sarah Wayne Callies (“Prison Break”), is Rick’s wife, Lori Grimes. Additional cast include: Laurie Holden, Steven Yeun, Norman Reedus, Jeffrey DeMunn, Chandler Riggs, Iron E. Singleton and Melissa McBride. Recently announced guest stars include: Lauren Cohan, Scott Wilson and Pruitt Taylor Vince.
Robert Kirkman, creator of “The Walking Dead” comic, serves as a writer and executive producer on the project and three-time Academy Award-nominee Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile) serves as writer, director and executive producer. Gale Anne Hurd (The Terminator, Aliens, Armageddon, The Incredible Hulk), of Valhalla Entertainment, serves as Executive Producer. David Alpert from Circle of Confusion serves as Executive Producer. Glen Mazzara (The Shield, Crash) serves as Executive Producer.
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