‘The Walking Dead’ renewed for Season 5; Scott Gimple at the helm

Oct. 29, 2013 | 11:16 a.m.

Daryl Dixon (Norman Reedus), Michonne (Danai Gurira), Tyreese (Chad Coleman) and Bob (Lawrence Gilliard Jr.) in "The Walking Dead." (Gene Page/AMC)

37180121 4135 ce6e e275 46c0f9348de9 twd 404 gp 0619 0157 The Walking Dead renewed for Season 5; Scott Gimple at the helm

Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) and Carol (Melissa Suzanne McBride) in "The Walking Dead." (Gene Page/AMC)

“The Walking Dead” has been renewed for a fifth season.

AMC announced Tuesday that its hit zombie drama, based on the Robert Kirkman comic book, will lumber back for another run of installments, hardly surprising news considering the massive ratings the show is enjoying. The series has become television’s most-watched prime-time drama, with its recent Season 4 premiere attracting some 16.1 million viewers.

Scott M. Gimple also is set to return as show runner, AMC confirmed.

“We are very happy to make what has to be one of the most anti-climactic renewal announcements ever: ‘The Walking Dead’ is renewed for a fifth season,” said Charlie Collier, AMC president, in a statement issued by the network Tuesday. “This is a show that has erased traditional distinctions between cable and broadcast. Its expanding base of passionate fans has grown every season…”

Check out two images above from Sunday’s upcoming episode “Indifference,” and click here to find out what executive producer Kirkman had to say about the direction of the show as Season 4 continues to unfold.

(Here’s a hint: David Morrissey’s The Governor is poised to return “at any moment.”)

— Gina McIntyre

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