Will The Walking Dead Spinoff Show The Origins of The Zombie Apocalypse?

The news that The Walking Dead would have its own spinoff show understandably led to speculation about the premise, location, timeframe and more of the new show. Some expected a prequel in which fans would see the zombie outbreak's beginning. Others figured it would focus on one of the characters already seen on the show. But some new information may shed some light on the premise.

TVLine reports that AMC has promised that the spinoff would "shed light on a new, previously unseen corner of the zombie apocalypse - perhaps one where the living outnumber the undead." Furthermore, the site states that there is "increasing buzz" that the new show would be a prequel to The Walking Dead that would focus on the early days of the zombie outbreak and the efforts to contain it before it spread. A representative for AMC declined to comment to TVLine.

Series creator Robert Kirkman said the following to IGN back in October:

"It's a really different location with completely different people, so we are going to see an entirely different corner of the Walking Dead world. It definitely won't be set in Georgia, I can at least say that."

He added that he wants the show to be able to stand on its own. When asked about possible crossovers, he said "it's a little too early to be discussing those kinds of things." If the new show were a prequel, though, perhaps we would get to see some of The Walking Dead characters in the time before the original show began and how they got to their current lives in Georgia.

TVLine further reports that the show is in the preliminary stages and any plans could change. AMC wants to launch the show in 2015.