“Walking Dead” star Norman Reedus has signed a first-look development deal with AMC Studios under his newly-launched production company, bigbaldhead.
Reedus is launching bigbaldhead alongside Brillstein Entertainment partner JoAnne Colonna and it will be led by former AMC executive Amanda Verdon.
With several projects in development, bigbaldhead has recently closed a deal to adapt “Undone by Blood,” an AfterShock Comics publication from writers Zac Thompson and Lonnie Nadler, who are also on board as co-executive producers. Aftershock Comics’ Jon and Lee Kramer will serve as executive producers. The series follows the story of Ethel Grady Lane who, in the early 1970s, returns to her hometown of Sweetheart, Arizona to find and kill the man who murdered her family. Reedus is eyed to star in the series.
“Norman has been an indelible part of the AMC family for more than a decade, across both scripted and unscripted series, on foot and on wheels, and we’re thrilled to expand our relationship with such an incredible talent,” said Dan McDermott, President of Original Programming for AMC Networks’ Entertainment Group and Co-President of AMC Studios.
Additionally, Reedus has formed a partnership with Blackstone Publishing. This will include books in the new “Unknown Man” series, authored by Reedus, as well as an imprint of new books from other authors hand-picked and acquired. The first of titles is set to launch in Fall 2021.
“It has been a dream of mine for so long to be able to share and tell progressive stories that shine a light where others don’t. I feel incredibly privileged for the opportunity to amplify innovative voices in storytelling that are visionary in fostering change in culture. I couldn’t be happier to launch this company alongside AMC and Blackstone Publishing” Reedus said.
Last week, AMC announced that “The Walking Dead” will wrap up after its upcoming 11th season, though it won’t conclude until late 2022. After “Walking Dead” ends, Reedus will reprise his character of Daryl Dixon for a spinoff alongside Melissa McBride’s Carol Peletier that will premiere in 2023.
10 Zombie TV Shows Ranked, From 'The Walking Dead' to 'Santa Clarita Diet'
Netflix's new zombie apocalypse series, the "Z-Nation" prequel "Black Summer," is premiering Thursday, and what better way to welcome it than to rank other "undead" TV shows of the last few years from worst to best. We included the Rotten Tomatoes scores with each ranking for comparison. Share your thoughts in the comments section at the bottom.
Netflix
10. "Freakish" – Hulu
Rotten Tomatoes score: 64 % A group of teens have to hide out in their high school after a chemical plant meltdown creates a bunch of zombie-like mutants, who take over the town. "Freakish" lasted only 2 seasons and had the worst Rotten Tomatoes score of the bunch. Critics said it suffered from thin, stereotypical characters, a flawed timeline and numerous plot holes.
Hulu
9. "Containment" - The CW
Rotten Tomatoes score: 78% This ill-fated CW show lasted only one season. When a mysterious and fatal virus starts infecting people, part of Atlanta is quarantined -- but attempts to find a cure are met with the unravelling of a possible conspiracy. Critics said it used the same old end-of-days scenario without much in the way of originality.
The CW
8. "Helix" - Syfy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 68% A team from the CDC makes a risky move by visiting a remote research facility in the Arctic to check on reports of a strange illness. They discover -- you guessed it -- a zombie-like plague that could threaten man-kind. “Helix” lasted only 2 seasons.
Syfy
7. "Z Nation" - Syfy
Rotten Tomatoes score: 77% Your typical zombie apocalypse aftermath show, except this time, someone survives the zombie plague. The show’s heroes embark on a quest to get the survivor from New York to California, where a lab waits to test his blood. Notable cast members included (DJ Qualls, Harold Perrineau). The show was recently canceled after 5 seasons, giving way to its upcoming prequel, “Black Summer.”
Syfy
6. "Fear the Walking Dead" - AMC
Rotten Tomatoes score: 60% For those who just couldn’t get enough of “The Walking Dead,” here is its prequel, which explores how the zombie apocalypse that dictates the story of “TWD” began. Though arguably not as popular as the original, the drama series has been going steady since 2015 and its fifth season will premiere on June 2.
AMC
5."In the Flesh" - BBC
Rotten Tomatoes score: 96% Hailing from across the pond at the BBC, this short-lived series only lasted two seasons. Taking place after the zombie apocalypse is over, it follows 18-year-old former zombie Kieren, as he attempts to reenter society. Fans say it gives a brain and a heart to zombie drama, as it's less about blood and gore, and more about examining the stereotypes and knee-jerk reactions that lead Kieren’s hometown to discriminate against him. Brownie points for using Daniel Johnston's song "Devil Town" in the trailer.
BBC Three
4. "iZombie" - The CW
Rotten Tomatoes score: 89% Running since 2015 on The CW, Rose McIver stars as another cute, unconventional zombie lady named, ironically, Liv. She takes a job in a coroner’s office to gain access to the brains she must eat to maintain her bodily autonomy and avoid becoming a stereotypical zombie. In each new episode, her personality changes to match the latest brain she’s ingested, helping her gain insight into their mysterious deaths. Season 5 premieres May 2.
The CW
3. "Ash vs. Evil Dead" - Starz
Rotten Tomatoes score: 94% This revival of the 1981 classic movie “Evil Dead” serves up action, comedy and lots of gooey-looking fake blood. The original hero Ash (played by Bruce Campbell) returns after 30 years to finally come to terms with what happened in that cabin. However, despite a near-perfect Rotten Tomatoes score and much to the shock and horror of its legion of fans, Starz canceled the show after 3 seasons due to low ratings, leaving the final season's cliffhanger ending just... hanging there.
Starz
2. "The Walking Dead" - AMC
Rotten Tomatoes: 80% While there's no question that this is the most talked about zombie show on TV, it can be argued that “The Walking Dead” has declined in quality since Season 1. But even though we ranked it at #2, there’s something to be said for a show that’s been going since 2010 with no plans to slow down for its 10th season in 2020.
AMC
1. "Santa Clarita Diet" - Netflix
Rotten Tomatoes score: 87% Drew Barrymore may not be the most traditional zombie, but she’s certainly the cutest. When her character Sheila dies from a mysterious illness, she comes back to life without a heartbeat -- but with a curiously strong hunger for human flesh. To satisfy her craving, she and her husband Joel (Timothy Olyphant) set out on a path of death and destruction... together.
Netflix
Season 1 of “Black Summer” comes to Netflix April 11 -- we’ll see how this one ranks!
Netflix
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Ahead of Netflix’s new zombie-drama ”Black Summer,“ we ranked zombie TV shows from worst to best
Netflix's new zombie apocalypse series, the "Z-Nation" prequel "Black Summer," is premiering Thursday, and what better way to welcome it than to rank other "undead" TV shows of the last few years from worst to best. We included the Rotten Tomatoes scores with each ranking for comparison. Share your thoughts in the comments section at the bottom.
Netflix
Hulu
