AMC spins The Walking Dead

AMC in the US has ordered a pilot episode of a spin-off to its hit zombie drama The Walking Dead, set in a different location to the original with a new cast of characters.

A Walking Dead companion series has long been mooted and AMC has now confirmed that a pilot is scheduled for production with AMC Studios in late 2014.

No additional details were provided about the location or casting for the pilot.

Robert Kirkman, author of the comic book series on which the series is based, and Dave Erickson have co-created and co-written the spin-off, which will be exec produced by the pair alongside Gale Anne Hurd and David Alpert.

The fifth season of The Walking Dead begins on AMC on October 12.

“Almost from the beginning of The Walking Dead on AMC, fans have been curious about what is going on in the zombie apocalypse in other parts of the world. In fact, beyond requests for zombie cameos, it’s the question I get asked the most,” said AMC president Charlie Collier.