The walkers may be dead, but AMC's designs to capitalize on The Walking Dead's juggernaut ratings status definitely have life. The cable network has already given the unnamed series a 2-season order, similar to what happened with the Breaking Bad spinoff Better Call Saul. And despite these being early days, AMC already has a photo of the "companion" series to share.

According to a press release from AMC, the new series will be set in Los Angeles, and will focus on new characters and storylines. The first season will have six, hourlong episodes, and will premiere later this summer. The second season will premiere in 2016.

The two productions will be tied closely together, with Robert Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd, Greg Nicotero and David Alpert all serving as executive producers for both shows. Dave Erickson will be the new series' showrunner; he also co-created and co-wrote the pilot with Kirkman.

AMC president Charlie Collier said of the series,

We take incredibly seriously the notion of building a satisfying companion series to the number one show on television. From the beginning of ‘The Walking Dead’ on AMC, we’ve been asked questions about what was going on in other parts of the zombie apocalypse, and what it looked like as the world really did ‘turn.’ Through this new series, we’re going to find out. Robert Kirkman, Dave Erickson and their writing team, along with an incomparable set of producers, cast and crew have created something remarkable and clearly distinct. We respectfully follow the request of Monty Python as we bring out (the latest of) our Dead.

Kirkman also commented on the new project, saying,

We feel empowered by this two-season commitment, a serious show of faith from our network partner AMC  I personally take it as a sign that they believe, like we do, that we've accomplished our goal of developing something original that can pay tribute to the original show and expand the world I created while at the same time having something new to say with this story.  I’m very grateful that we now have the opportunity to tell this amazing story and show the fans that we really haven't scratched the surface yet when it comes to ‘The Walking Dead.’

The new series stars Cliff Curtis (Missing), Kim Dickens (Sons of Anarchy), Frank Dillane (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince), and Alycia Debnam Carey (Into the Storm).