Walking Dead renewed for season nine with a new showrunner

Last Updated on July 30, 2021

THE WALKING DEAD has been going strong for years now, becoming one of the biggest shows, well, ever. After all these years there’s still plenty of zombie killing left to do, and it was announced today that the show will indeed return for a ninth season. Though the shock meter isn’t exactly going off the chain, a surprise came with the announcement that long-time writer and producer Angela Kang will replace Scott Gimple as the showrunner.

Gimple has been showrunner since season four, and will become the Chief Content Officer for the WALKING DEAD universe, including the popular spinoff series, FEAR THE WALKING DEAD. Kang has been writing for the show since season two, and was made a producer as of season three. Charlie Collier, president of AMC, had this to say about the change-up:

This is an enormously important day for the entire ‘The Walking Dead’ television universe. We are proud to acknowledge Angela’s significant contribution to the series and to set a clear path forward for a ninth 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.’”

Kang also made a comment, saying:

“I am beyond thrilled to be stepping into this new role with ‘The Walking Dead.’ 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 seventh season of the show, as well as the current eighth season, have been getting mixed responses from fans and critics, citing the focus on more grizzly violence and action, and less on character work. Perhaps the change in leadership will mean the show will take a different approach come season nine, even though there probably aren’t going to be many more seasons going down the road.

THE WALKING DEAD returns from the midseason break on February 25.