The Walking Dead is a horror drama series aired by AMC cable television channel in the United States and by Fox TV channel in the United Kingdom.

The Walking Dead television series has been created by Frank Darabont and is based on the comic book series of the same name written by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard.

The show focuses on the onset of a worldwide zombie apocalypse with zombies (referred to as "walkers") attempting to turn ordinary humans into zombies as well. The Walking Dead focuses on the character of sheriff's deputy Rick Grimes, starred by Andrew Lincoln, as he becomes the leader of a group of survivors after waking up from a coma to discover this apocalypse. The series takes place mostly within the Atlanta metropolitan area and the surrounding countryside.

The Walking Dead has been first aired on October 31st 2010 and has been renewed for a seventh season which premiered on Sunday, October 23rd in the US and on Monday, October 24th in the UK.

With many characters recurring throughout the seven seasons as well as leaving the show, Chandler Riggs who plays Rick's son Carl Grimes has been part of The Walking Dead from the start along with main character Rick Grimes.

Other main characters throughout the series include:

  • Jon Benthal starring Shane Walsh Rick's former police partner and close friend (seasons 1 and 2).
  • Sarah Wayne Callies starring Lori Grimes, Rick's wife, who had an affair with Shane Walsh while believing Rick's dead (seasons 1 – 3).
  • Laurie Holden starring Andrea (seasons 1 – 3)
  • Jeffrey DeMunn starring Dale Horvarth (seasons 1 – 2), An older member of the group who owns the RV with which the group travels
  • Steven Yeun starring Glenn Rhee (seasons 1 – 7) A former pizza delivery boy who saves Rick's life.
  • Norman Reedus starring Daryl Dixon (seasons 2 – 7), The group's primary hunter, who becomes Rick's right-hand man

Since the programme began, it has received a number of awards including a Golden Globe award for Best Television series and had several spin-offs dedicated to the franchise.