The Walking Dead has a new sheriff in charge. According to a press release from AMC (via Variety), former showrunner Scott Gimple has been promoted to ‘Chief Content Officer’ for the whole Walking Dead universe, and co-executive producer Angela Kang will replace him for season nine of the hit zombie show.
“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,” AMC president Charlie Collier said. “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.’”
Gimple has worked on The Walking Dead in one role or another since season 2, evolving from writer and producer to executive producer and then full on showrunner. He replaced Glen Mazzara in that role following season 3, with Mazzara in turn having replaced Frank Darabont halfway through season 2 — a change that launched multiple lawsuits still on the go now. This latest transition of showrunners is much smoother: Gimple’s promotion will have him “overseeing the entire Dead television universe, including The Walking Dead, Fear the Walking Dead, and potential brand extensions on a variety of platforms.”
Kang is also a longtime The Walking Dead staffer, having come on board as a writer and story editor in season 2, then seeing promotions to producer in season 3 and co-executive producer in season 5. Over the years she’s earned a reputation as one of the better writers on the series, and her elevation to showrunner at a time where The Walking Dead has been accused of going off the rails will hopefully mean good things for the show’s future.
(via Variety)
