AMC confirms Glen Mazarra to helm ‘Walking Dead,’ issues trailer [video]

When the news broke that Frank Darabont had left AMC’s show ‘The Walking Dead’ fans worldwide were stunned. AMC had remained silent on his departure but have finally confirmed Frank’s deputy, Glen Mazarra will head the show from now on.

The network’s bosses say they ‘expected no changes’ to the second season under Glen’s leadership, who is best known for his work on ‘The Shield’ but they remained tight-lipped on why Frank left the show.

“I wanted to give a very heartfelt thank you to Frank Darabont, who is a visionary writer and director,” Joel Stillerman, AMC’s Senior-VP of Original Programming told reporters at a preview of the forthcoming period drama ‘Hell On Wheels,’ which opens on November 6th. “He created a brilliant pilot, and we’re grateful for his contributions. We’re excited to move on with Glen. That’s about all I’ll say on that.”

But Joel refused to elaborate on the cause of the change. “We continue to discuss his ongoing role with the series,” is all their press statement says about Frank’s exit.

The suits did confirm that ‘Dead’s author, Robert Kirkman and producer Gale Anne Hurd still have their jobs and the series is still on course to return as planned on October 16th.

The show is one of AMC’s breakout hits and when Frank’s departure was reported on Tuesday the reaction was huge. A second season is now shooting in Georgia and Frank even took part in a Comic Con panel discussing the show – giving no clues on what was about to occur.

And fans could soon get an idea of how Glen’s influence might change the show – AMC is booked to preview the next season at the Television Critics Association tour later today.

Here’s the trailer for the much-awaited new season. Watch it and give us your views…

LA Times