[dropcap size=small]T[/dropcap]he upcoming companion series to The Walking Dead has cast Frank Dillane, Alycia Debnam Carey, and Cliff Curtis in the show’s pilot episode.
The new series will follow a new group of survivors in a new location during the same zombie apocalypse taking place on The Walking Dead. Curtis will play the lead role in the series–Sean Cabrera, a teacher who shares a son with his ex-wife, Andrea. The character is described as a good man trying to do right by everyone in his life. The female lead, a guidance counselor named Nancy Tomkins who works as the same school as Cabrera, is still testing actresses for the role. Dillane and Carey will play the roles of Nancy’s kids, Nick and Ashley.
Unknown no more: Frank Dillane and Alycia Debnam Carey join The Walking Dead spinoff.
A companion series was first announced in 2013, with AMC officially ordering a pilot for the project in 2014. The Walking Dead comic book scribe and TV series executive producer Robert Kirkman says in an official statement:
[dropcap size=small]“[/dropcap]There are many corners of The Walking Dead universe that remain unseen in the shadows. Being given the opportunity to shine a light into those corners and see what lurks out there is an absolute thrill. I know the fans are anxious to hear what Dave and I have been cooking up for this new universe of The Walking Dead, and I’m happy to be one step closer to sharing it with them.”
Dave Erickson will serve as showrunner for the new series, with Gale Anne Hurd and David Alpert joining Kirkman as executive producers.
Veteran actor Cliff Curtis most recently starred on the short-lived drama Gang Related. Frank Dillane only has a handful of credited roles, the most notable as a young Tom Riddle in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Alycia Debnam Carey is also a fairly new actress with roles in Into the Storm and The Devils Hand.
There has been no word yet of a title for the companion series, nor an expected release date, though a full-series pickup is almost guaranteed, if based solely on the massive success of The Walking Dead series.
Will you be tuning in, or is The Walking Dead enough zombie drama for your tastes? Let us know!
