<P> The Walking Dead is an American post-apocalyptic horror television series developed by Frank Darabont for AMC that is based on the comic book series of the same name by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard . Andrew Lincoln plays the show's lead character, sheriff's deputy Rick Grimes, who awakens from a coma discovering a world overrun by zombies, commonly referred to as "walkers". Grimes reunites with his family and becomes the leader of a group he forms with other survivors . Together they struggle to survive and adapt in a post-apocalyptic world filled with walkers and opposing groups of survivors, who are often more dangerous than the walkers themselves . Much of the series takes place in and around Atlanta, Georgia, and later Alexandria, Virginia . </P> <P> The Walking Dead premiered in the United States on October 31, 2010, exclusively shown on cable television channel AMC and internationally on Fox International Channels . As a result of very favorable Nielsen ratings that rank the show unprecedentedly high for a cable series, AMC has renewed the series each year . Beginning with its third season, The Walking Dead has attracted the most 18 to 49 - year - old viewers of any cable or broadcast television series . Its eighth season debuted on October 22, 2017, and it has been renewed for a ninth season to debut in late 2018 . The series has been well received by critics and nominated for several awards, including the Writers Guild of America Award for New Series and the Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series--Drama . An AMC spin - off series, Fear the Walking Dead, debuted on August 23, 2015 . </P> <Table> <Tr> <Th_colspan="2"> Season </Th> <Th_colspan="2"> Episodes </Th> <Th_colspan="2"> Originally aired </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Th> First aired </Th> <Th> Last aired </Th> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td_colspan="1"> </Td> <Td_colspan="2"> 6 </Td> <Td_colspan="1"> October 31, 2010 (2010 - 10 - 31) </Td> <Td> December 5, 2010 (2010 - 12 - 05) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td_colspan="1"> </Td> <Td_colspan="2"> 13 </Td> <Td_colspan="1"> October 16, 2011 (2011 - 10 - 16) </Td> <Td> March 18, 2012 (2012 - 03 - 18) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td_colspan="1"> </Td> <Td_colspan="2"> 16 </Td> <Td_colspan="1"> October 14, 2012 (2012 - 10 - 14) </Td> <Td> March 31, 2013 (2013 - 03 - 31) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td_colspan="1"> </Td> <Td_colspan="2"> 16 </Td> <Td_colspan="1"> October 13, 2013 (2013 - 10 - 13) </Td> <Td> March 30, 2014 (2014 - 03 - 30) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td_colspan="1"> 5 </Td> <Td_colspan="2"> 16 </Td> <Td_colspan="1"> October 12, 2014 (2014 - 10 - 12) </Td> <Td> March 29, 2015 (2015 - 03 - 29) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td_colspan="1"> 6 </Td> <Td_colspan="2"> 16 </Td> <Td_colspan="1"> October 11, 2015 (2015 - 10 - 11) </Td> <Td> April 3, 2016 (2016 - 04 - 03) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td_colspan="1"> 7 </Td> <Td_colspan="2"> 16 </Td> <Td_colspan="1"> October 23, 2016 (2016 - 10 - 23) </Td> <Td> April 2, 2017 (2017 - 04 - 02) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> </Td> <Td_colspan="1"> 8 </Td> <Td_colspan="2"> 16 </Td> <Td_colspan="1"> October 22, 2017 (2017 - 10 - 22) </Td> <Td> April 15, 2018 (2018 - 04 - 15) </Td> </Tr> </Table> <Tr> <Th_colspan="2"> Season </Th> <Th_colspan="2"> Episodes </Th> <Th_colspan="2"> Originally aired </Th> </Tr>

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