'The Walking Dead's' Greg Nicotero Inks First-Look Deal With AMC

11:45 AM PDT 9/15/2011 by Lesley Goldberg

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Under the pact, the special effects Emmy winner is upped to co-executive producer of the series. He'll also direct an episode of the zombie drama's upcoming second season.

Greg Nicotero

Greg Nicotero’s role with AMC is expanding.

The Emmy-winning special effects artist on AMC’s The Walking Dead has inked a first-look deal to develop projects for the cable network.

Under the pact, Nicotero – who took home an Emmy on Saturday for his prosthetic makeup for the zombie series – has been named co-executive producer on the drama starring Andrew Lincoln. He’ll also direct an episode during Season 2, which premieres next month.

“Greg's talent extends well beyond the word of special fx makeup,” said Joel Stillerman, AMC senior vp original programming, production and digital content. “He is also a truly talented director, and has an incredibly comprehensive understanding and appreciation for great storytelling. His knowledge and respect for the genre is unparalleled, and we are looking forward to expanding our relationship with him with an eye towards developing more great original series.”

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In addition to his makeup effects on Walking Dead, Nicotero conceived and directed the zombie drama’s six-episode web series, produced by Generate, that will premiere Oct. 3. The web series, penned by John Espositio, tells the origin story of “Bicycle Girl,” the infamous “walker” from Season 1, as she struggles to survive and protect her family as the world begins to fall apart.

“To be able to branch out and to develop not only the web series but also genre material is something I have always wanted to do; given the people I have had the pleasure of working with over the last 23 years,” Nicotero said in a statement announcing the news Thursday.

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Nicotero also co-owns KNB EFX Group and his film, The United Monster Talent Agency, premiered last Halloween as part of AMC’s Fearfest. His credits include Day of the Dead and nearly 800 feature films. He’s repped by UTA, Generate and Ken Linzer.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@thr.com; Twitter: @Snoodit