Though details of the prequel to "The Walking Dead" have been kept under wraps, the Hollywood Reporter says that it is official that the zombie series will now definitely have two seasons, though the prequel is still under production.
The prequel, which is being produced under the name "Cobalt" will mostly air in the late summer of 2015 on AMC. The first season will consist of six one-hour long episodes, just like its flagship series. Robert Kirkman, the creator of the "The Walking Dead" comic series, co-wrote the pilot with Dave Erickson.
"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," AMC president Charlie Collier said, while making the announcement on Monday.
Despite attempts to keep everything a secret, executive producer of the prequel, Gale Anne Hurd revealed information about the locations of the upcoming spinoff show during a recent interview. "We shot the pilot in LA, and we're continuing to shoot part of the upcoming season in LA, but we're also shooting out of state," she said.
The Hollywood Reporter has also revealed the cast and the storyline of the summer prequel. Cliff Curtis stars as Sean Cabrera, a teacher who has a son with his ex-wife. Kim Dickens of "Sons of Anarchy" plays Nancy, a guidance counsellor who works at the school with Sean and has an affair with him. Frank Dillane of the "Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince" fame co-stars as Nancy's son Nick, who has battled a drug problem. And Alycia Debnam Carey is set as Nancy's ambitious daughter Ashley, who has dreams of leaving LA for Berkeley when the apocalypse strikes.
"The Walking Dead" companion was first announced in September 2013 and the flagship, which resumes production during summer, will air the first half of its season in October and the second half in February next year.
