AMC Orders Season Five Of 'The Walking Dead'

In a move that isn't exactly unexpected, AMC has ordered a fifth season of its hit zombie drama "The Walking Dead."

"We are very happy to make what has to be one of the most anti-climactic renewal announcements ever:  ‘The Walking Dead’ is renewed for a fifth season," said Charlie Collier, AMC president in a statement. "This is a show that has erased traditional distinctions between cable and broadcast. Its expanding base of passionate fans has grown every season, most recently – and most notably – with the season four premiere earlier this month, which broke viewership records for the series and became the biggest non-sports telecast in cable history. On behalf of the incredible team on both sides of the camera, thank you to the fans and here’s to more ‘Dead.'"

Scott Gimple will return as showrunner for season five of "Walking Dead" along with exec producers Robert Kirkman, Gale Ann Hurd, David Alpert, Greg Nicotero and Tom Luse.

The season four premiere of "The Walking Dead" premiered to a record-breaking 16 million viewers and the show currently ranks as the number one show on TV among adults 18-49.