Scott Gimple Tapped as New ‘Walking Dead’ Showrunner

AMC’s The Walking Dead has found its third showrunner.

Executive producer Scott Gimple will become the zombie drama’s new showrunner, The Hollywood Reporter has learned. Gimple replaces season three showrunner Glen Mazzara, who cited creative differences with the drama and departed the series in late December.

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Gimple joined the series based on the comics created by Robert Kirkman during season two and penned the third and seventh episodes, co-writing the 10th episode with Mazzara. He wrote the sixth and upcoming penultimate episodes of season three.

When Mazzara was promoted to showrunner after Frank Darabont‘s abrupt dismissal ahead of the season two premiere, Mazzara tapped Gimple as his No. 2. Mazzara took over through season two, after Darabont already had completed production on the first few episodes of the season. 

Mazzara will remain on board as showrunner through the second half of season three, overseeing postproduction on the series, with filming already having been completed on the final eight episodes of the ratings juggernaut. Gimple will take over when Walking Dead resumes production later this year for season four.

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“Both parties acknowledge that there is a difference of opinion about where the show should go moving forward and conclude that it is best to part ways,” AMC said in a statement early Friday announcing show’s fourth-season renewal. “This decision is amicable, and Glen will remain on for postproduction on season 3B as showrunner and executive producer.”

Sources told THR that Mazzara’s shortcomings in running the series became “abundantly clear … especially for the second half of the season,” with production shut down several times because of a lack of material.

Gimple’s credits include Chase, FlashForward and Life. He’s repped by UTA and Thruline.

Kim Masters contributed to this report.

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