Last Friday, it was announced that AMC is set to renew "The Walking Dead' for a seventh season comprised of 16 episodes, which will debut next October. Although the network is yet to place its official order for additional seasons, the zombie drama's executive producer Greg Nicotero has already expressed his confidence that the series' upcoming seventh installment will not be its last.
"I think we have several more years ahead of us. I think [series creator Robert] Kirkman said [the show can go until season] 11 or 12," Nicotero told International Business Times UK at a recent press launch.
Last year, Nicotero's fellow series executive producer David Alpert spoke at the Producers Guild of America panel and announced that the team behind the award-winning series already has an idea about possible storylines for seasons 10, 11 and 12.
"I happen to love working from source material, specifically because we have a pretty good idea of what season 10 is gonna be," Alpert stated. "We know where season 11 and 12 ... we have benchmarks and milestones for those seasons if we're lucky enough to get there."
Nonetheless, Nicotero appears to be certain that there will be additional seasons for "The Walking Dead' as long as they carry on in introducing new characters.
"It's just about introducing those new characters, getting Enid (Katelyn Nacon), Spencer (Austin Nichols) and Aaron (Ross Marquand) in there," he explained. "The world of the characters grows and if anything, Scott M. Gimple wants to make sure that those additional characters aren't just glorified extras."
In addition, Nicotero said that they want to expand the "Walking Dead' world by placing more emphasis on the other characters' backgrounds. Although some viewers believe that certain characters do not play key roles for the series, the director and special makeup effects department head is firm in his belief that there are stories for all the characters which are necessary to achieve balance for the show.
Despite the recent drop in the U.S. TV ratings for "The Walking Dead,' Nicotero assured fans that the series is not yet over.
With the considerable popularity of comic book-based program, it remains uncertain as to when exactly it will end. However, during a chat on Marc Maron's WTF Podcast earlier this year, Kirkman said that if the series ever reaches season 16, he will not be interested in watching it anymore.
"Let's all be honest. Season 16? I'm not even going to be watching this show. I'll be on a boat," he said during the interview.
"The Walking Dead' season six airs Sundays on AMC.
