More Zombies, More Death, More Tears - 'The Walking Dead' Season 5 Confirmed

AMC don’t want to let The Walking Dead go, and why would they? The zombie thriller gets bums on sofas, while the critics continue to buy into the lavish scenario of an un-dead apocalypse.

Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Michonne (Danai Gurira) go hunting for zombies

We’re three episodes into season four, but a 5th season is on the way as AMC confirm Robert Kirkman’s franchise will continue to thrive on the small screen.

At least, they hope it will anyway.

"We are very happy to make what has to be one of the most anti-climactic renewal announcements ever," AMC president Charlie Collier said Tuesday (NY Daily News). "This is a show that has erased traditional distinctions between cable and broadcast. Its expanding base of passionate fans has grown every season.”

Here’s hoping that season four doesn’t end up being as anti-climatic as that announcement, especially considering the damp squib than was season three’s finale.

Hardcore fans of the show are (nearly) all in agreement: the show has taken a dive since season two.

 Will Rick Grimes and Phillip Blake reignite their rivalry in season four?

The constant battle between Rick and Shane, with Lori in the middle kept things moving in season one, while the zombie attacks still felt terrifying and had a novelty of their own.

But a mixture of overacting from Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes and a poorly constructed plot in season three have seen some zombie fanatics give a lukewarm response.

The sheer quality of the comic book series and Telltale’s video game, which garnered praise from all corners of the video game press, means the pressure is on AMC to deliver the same quality seen in the first season.

In other TV news, Netflix have made a similar move by renewing House of Cards for a third season. Filming of season two has been completed, with the follow up to the Emmy-nominated debut season set to air in early 2014.

Rick Grimes has to make difficult decisions in season 4