amc picked up the rights to make a series based on the comic in 2009. it ordered a pilot episode on january 21, 2010. filming for the series started on may 15, 2010. the series premiered on october 31, 2010. it had very high ratings. on november 8, 2010, after broadcasting two episodes, amc wanted a second season of "the walking dead". this season would have 13 episodes. the second season began on october 16, 2011. frank darabont wrote, directed and served as an executive producer until july 25th, 2011. kirkman and charles h. eglee are currently writers and executive producers.