‘Fear the Walking Dead’ Premiere Breaks Cable Record With 10 Million Viewers
Debut draws 6.3 million adults in 18-49 demo
Daniel Holloway | August 24, 2015 @ 1:56 PM
Last Updated: August 24, 2015 @ 3:30 PM
AMC’s “Fear the Walking Dead” broke records for the most total viewers and most viewers in key demos for a cable television premiere Sunday night.
The kickoff for the prequel to “The Walking Dead” drew 10.1 million total viewers. The premiere also drew 6.3 million adults 18-49, according to Nielsen.
The 9 p.m. premiere drew a 4.9 Nielsen rating among adults 18-49 and a 5.3 rating among adults 25-54.
The previous most watched cable premiere in total viewers was another AMC series, “Better Call Saul.” That show drew 6.9 million viewers for its Feb. 8 premiere, but enjoyed a lead-in from the mid-season premiere of “The Walking Dead,” which drew 15.6 million total viewers.
“Fear the Walking Dead” is executive produced by showrunner Dave Erickson and “The Walking Dead ” creator Robert Kirkman.
“Thank you and congratulations to Robert Kirkman, Dave Erickson, the brilliant executive producers and the entire cast and crew of ‘Fear the Walking Dead,'” Charlie Collier, president of AMC and SundanceTV, said in a statement.
A “Talking Dead” pre-show special drew 4.2 million total viewers and a 1.9 18-49 rating at 8 p.m.
Alycia Debnam-Carey, who played Mia on Season 3 of "Dance Academy," gained notice for The CW's "The 100" and is a lead on AMC's new drama "Fear the Walking Dead"
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Andrew Lees played Wes on Season 3 of "Dance Academy." He has since recurred on The CW's "The Originals" and is a series regular on TBS sitcom "Your Family or Mine."
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Georgina Haig appeared as Mistii on "Dance Academy," went on to be a series regular on CBS' "Reckless" and broke out playing the live-action version of Elsa on ABC's "Once Upon a Time."
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Hugo Johnstone-Burt played Nick on "Dance Academy," then went on to play the young male lead in Warner Bros' "San Andreas" opposite Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.
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Jordan Rodrigues was one of the leads on "Dance Academy" all three seasons, and is now a recurring star on ABC Family's "The Fosters."
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With "Dance Academy's" Ollie under his belt, Keiynan Lonsdale moved to Hollywood and landed the role of Uriah in the "Divergent" franchise, and will play Wally West on The CW's "The Flash."
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After playing Aaron on "Dance Academy," Luke Bracey went on to a series of leading man roles in Hollywood, including Nicholas Sparks adaptation "The Best of Me" and the upcoming "Point Break" remake.
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Rarmian Newton played Michael on "Dance Academy," and will soon be seen as Danny, the young boy whose disappearance kicks off the events of new ABC drama "The Family."
Richard Brancatisano played Rhys on several episodes of "Dance Academy's" third season, and is now one of the male leads on ABC Family's "Chasing Life."
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Young up and coming actors getting cast in film and TV include “The Flash,” “Fear the Walking Dead” stars
Alycia Debnam-Carey, who played Mia on Season 3 of "Dance Academy," gained notice for The CW's "The 100" and is a lead on AMC's new drama "Fear the Walking Dead"