AMC is really making strides to become one of the best cable network providers of original series on TV, and now they want your brains along with your cash. In January, we reported that AMC had ordered a pilot of the zombie series The Walking Dead, which had been adapted by Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Mist) from the Robert Kirkman graphic novel series. Now we have news from The Hollywood Reporter that even before that pilot episode has been cast, AMC has ordered six episodes.

For more information, including when to expect the series to premiere, hit the jump.

The Walking Dead revolves around a world suddenly overrun by zombies, leaving small town cop Rick Grimes to piece together what happened and find his family. This will become the fourth original AMC series, along with Breaking Bad, Mad Men, and the upcoming Rubicon. The Walking Dead will begin production in June and is set to premier during AMC's annual Fearfest programming block in October 2010. Said AMC President Charlie Collier:

"AMC strives to make original shows that play like movies and The Walking Dead is a perfect complement to the network's celebrated movie franchise, Fearfest, which has always been an important destination for our audience.  With its depth of story and the remarkable talent attached, The Walking Dead gives us an opportunity to raise the bar significantly within this popular genre, and continue our commitment to being the home of premium programming on basic cable."

Although Darabont clearly has a love for the material, it is unclear whether he will direct beyond the pilot episode. He has a few projects in development, but that is often the case with a highly sought after director and writer. Whatever is occurring, AMC appears to like it and I think most agree this has a lot of potential to be very entertaining.