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Norman Reedus and Michael Rooker anchor AMC's 'The Walking Dead'

By April MacIntyre Jul 26, 2010, 6:58 GMT

AMC’s The Walking Dead is currently in production in Atlanta, GA, and is scheduled to premiere this October during AMC Fearfest, the network\'s annual blockbuster marathon of thriller and horror films.

AMC signed on Michael Rooker (Jumper) and Norman Reedus (The Boondock Saints) to star in the new post-apocalyptic series “The Walking Dead.”

The two actors will play brothers Merle Dixon (Rooker) and Daryl Dixon (Reedus), one a redneck ex-con and the other equally as dangerous. 

This series is based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics.

AMC’s The Walking Dead is currently in production in Atlanta, GA, and is scheduled to premiere this October during AMC Fearfest, the network's annual blockbuster marathon of thriller and horror films.

Years ago, Rooker absolutely scared the bejesus out of me in "Henry: Portrait of a Serial Killer," the shocking true story of Henry Lee Lucas.  His performance was so realistic I felt I was watching a snuff film or a documentary, and I still cannot watch it to this day.

Reedus is best known for his role in the cult movie "The Boondock Saints" and most
recently, he starred in the sci-fi feature thriller "Pandorum" with Dennis Quaid and Ben Foster.  He can be seen next in "The Conspirator," directed by Robert Redford and co-starring James McAvoy, Robin Wright Penn and Kevin Kline.

Additional new cast members of “The Walking Dead” include Andrew Rothenberg (Jim), Juan Pareja (Morales), Iron E. Singleton (T-Dog), Jeryl Prescott Sales (Jacqui), Melissa McBride (Carol) and Adam Minarovich (Ed); all of whom are members of the “survivor’s camp.”

Three-time Academy Award-nominee Frank Darabont serves as writer and executive producer and directs the pilot episode. Gale Anne Hurd, chairman of Valhalla Motion Pictures, serves as executive producer along with Robert Kirkman, David Alpert
from Circle of Confusion, and "Dexter's" EP, Charles “Chic” Eglee. Jack LoGiudice serves as co-executive producer.

“The Walking Dead” premise

The Walking Dead tells the story of the weeks and months that follow a pandemic zombie apocalypse.  County Sheriff Rick Grimes travels with his family and a small group of survivors, constantly in search of a safe and secure home.   But the constant pressure of fighting off death on a daily basis takes a heavy toll, sending many to the lowest depths of human cruelty.  As Rick struggles to keep his family alive, he will discover that the overwhelming fear of the survivors can be far more
dangerous than the mindless walkers roaming the earth.