"The Walking Dead" gets new showrunner for season four

Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) on AMC's "The Walking Dead." / Gene Page/AMC

It's official: "The Walking Dead" has a new showrunner.

AMC has confirmed that one of "The Walking Dead's" staff writers, Scott M. Gimble, will step in as head of production behind the hit zombie series, according to Entertainment Weekly.

Gimple joined "The Walking Dead" writing staff during the show's second season in 2011. Among his on-screen credits, Gimble served as the writer of the season two mid-season finale, "Pretty Much Dead Already," the episode where Sophia was discovered in Hershel's farm.

Gimple has also written for the big screen, penning the screenplay for "Ghost Rider 2: Spirit of Vengeance."

"The Walking Dead" has gone through an unusual succession of showrunners since the series first debuted in 2010.

Frank Darabont, the show's creator and original showrunner, left the series abruptly in its second season (Darabont also fired all of the writing staff from season one before his departure). Darabont was replaced with executive producer Glen Mazzara, who is departing the show due to creative differences, he and AMC said in December.

All the behind-the-scenes shake-ups haven't seemed to hamper the show's successes. "The Walking Dead" has enjoyed record ratings recently in addition to critical acclaim.

Gimple's tenure as showrunner and executive producer will officially begin when production on the series' fourth season kicks off in May.

Now in its third season, "The Walking Dead" airs Sundays on AMC.

[caligirlabc]

I disagree. The plot is constantly shifting, yet moving forward. If you want spectacular fireworks every episode, you won't get it as life doesn't work that way. Every day cannot bring major revelations. This show is in no danger whatsoever, however if you can't deal, stop watching. Won't affect the rest of us.

[Aussie_convict]

This show started of well enough, but I think now they are into the second half of the 3rd series thay are starting to struggle for plot. If it doesnt improve in the next few eps then I think they are done.