While no formal reasons have been cited, it looks as though Frank Darabont has stepped down as the showrunner for the AMC series adaptation of the comic The Walking Dead. The second season of the series is currently in production of its twelve episodes, up from the six of the first season, and it’s largely being thought that the pressures of a TV series and the larger episode order for this season as being behind the decision. Darabont, who comes primarily from movies, is thought to be having issues with it since there is a much more intense grind with the TV production schedule in how things need to be done and juggled. According to the report, this move has not affected the ongoing production but it is a surprise considering how upbeat and positive Darabont was at Comic-Con last weekend where nary a peep about it happening came up.
[Source: Deadline]
UPDATE:
The course of the day has revealed that executive producer Glen Mazzara will be taking on the reins of showrunner for The Walking Dead with Darabont exiting that role. While this has been confirmed, the reasons for Darabont’s exit are still unclear, though as noted, he had nothing by praise for Mazzara. In an interview last month, he said “We consider him our head writer and he’s just a fantastic asset.”
[Source: Deadline]
