THE WALKING DEAD Executive Producer Gale Ann Hurd Defends Show's Ultra Violence

A show whose premise is based on blood and guts walking the earth comes with certain expectations of violence, but last year's Season 7 premiere of The Walking Dead shocked even long-time fans with its gore. During a recent interview, executive producer Gale Anne Hurd explained how the show was merely honoring its comic book roots as authentically as possible.

"Look, this is the thing, this is a show that comes from a comic book," Hurd pointed out. "The only thing that we changed up in that episode is that two died instead of one. Issue 100 of the comic book was incredibly violent."

In the seminal issue, the villain Negan beats Glenn to death with a bat wrapped in barbed wire. Because Glenn had become such a staple in the series, many had thought he would pull through any situation, with his death signaling just how terrifying Negan could be.

The AMC series not only honored Glenn's (Steven Yeun) death, but surprised comic fans by including Abraham's (Michael Cudlitz) death at the hands of Negan (Jeffrey Dean Morgan) to raise the stakes even higher.

"For people who are fans of the comic book ... We've got to remember, without them, we wouldn't be making the show," Hurd confessed. "It's important to embrace that fandom. There are shots that are directly, once again, panels from the comic book. But, that didn't mean that the show, from that point on, maintained that level. It was setting up this character, it was an homage to the comic book, and it set us on course for an all-out war for this season."

The Walking Dead returns for its 8th season on October 22, 2017. The Season 8 premiere will also be the AMC series' 100th episode. 

Via: CB