AMC Networks at TCA: More Zombies and More Bob Odenkirk

“AMC networks is a vibrant company with five strong linear networks and seven curated streaming services, as well as a studio that produces for our own platforms and for others," McDermott continued. “We also have a very strong film distribution business, including the IFC films label that distributes theatrically as well as on-screen, and we have a long legacy of engaging viewers with high quality standout storytelling, Emmy-winning premium series, Oscar-worthy films, and fan-favorite content. We're going to build on that legacy in 2023.

“We recently said goodbye to The Walking Dead, which was the biggest show in the history of cable TV and spawned a universe to engage and enthrall the fans who have been the driving force behind the series since day one," he added. "Coming up we have three new series in The Walking Dead universe that focus on our most popular characters, set in iconic locations."

First in those new series is The Walking Dead: Dead City (pictured above) on AMC and AMC+. Premiering in June 2023, it will continue the story of fan favorites Maggie (Lauren Cohan, pictured top right) and Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan, top left) as they search for her kidnapped son Herschel, in New York, one of the country’s largest cities left abandoned to the ever-present walkers.

Premiering later this year,The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon will find the popular title character in Paris. The third series, which goes into production this year and will premiere in early 2024, will resume the adventures of Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Michonne (Danai Gurira).

"We love the idea of zombies walking across the Brooklyn Bridge, or under the Eiffel Tower, with engaging stories and characters to match the scenery, and we know fans of this epic franchise, new and old, will as well," McDermott said.

Network favorite Bob Odenkirk also returns to AMC and AMC+. Following his long stints on Breaking Bad and Better Call Saul, he'll return in Lucky Hank (pictured above). Based on the book Straight Man by Pulitzer Prize-winning author Richard Russo, Hank is the story of a reluctant chairman of an English department at a badly underfunded college in Pennsylvania, who battles daily with the Millennials in his classrooms and some eccentric coworkers while navigating his own internal ambivalence about the state of his career. "I could have been any kind of zombie," joked Odenkirk about his return to AMC. "But [this] came through my manager and my wife and I liked it ... especially in connection with the work I was doing on Saul. Saul was alone, and I liked that this guy loves his wife and daughter. I think there is something beautiful about Lucky Hank, and while the thinks he's unlucky, he's very lucky."

Also on hand were creatives and principals from Mayfair Witches (pictured above), the second in a series of AMC projects (Interview with the Vampire being the first) that expands the rich world of characters created by novelist Anne Rice. The fact that the Mayfair house is introduced early in Vampire, led the discussion to the possibility of a crossover between the two series. "There are ongoing conversations," admitted executive producer Mark Johnson. "I think as we continue, you will see a lot of connections, both in terms of characters and in terms of geography -- almost like Easter eggs. We very much want to tie these worlds together in a way that makes sense. They're completely separate, but thematically and just in terms of Anne Rice, the way she deals with characters, the way she presents them, we want to find a way to have that all fluid throughout the various shows."

It was also announced that AMC Networks has acquired the rights to the popular Bannerman spy book series. Written by bestselling author John Maxim, the novels are to be developed as a potential television series by Shane Black (Lethal Weapon, Ironman), Greg Nicotero (The Walking Dead, Creepshow) and Brian Witten (Creepshow, Friday the 13th) with Maxim attached as a consulting producer.

Click the social buttons above or below to share this content with your friends and colleagues.

The opinions and points of view expressed in this content are exclusively the views of the author and/or subject(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of MediaVillage.com/MyersBizNet, Inc. management or associated writers.