'Walking Dead' season four to happen without Mazzara

AMC has renewed “The Walking Dead” for a fourth season but will move forward into that campaign without exec producer Glen Mazzara.

Mazzara succeeded Frank Darabont as the showrunner of “Walking Dead” following the show’s first season.

“The two parties have mutually decided to part ways,” AMC and Mazzara said in a joint statement. “Glen guided the series creatively for seasons 2 and 3.  AMC is grateful for his hard work.  We are both proud of our shared success.

“Both parties acknowledge that there is a difference of opinion about where the show should go moving forward, and conclude that it is best to part ways.  This decision is amicable and Glen will remain on for post-production on season 3B as showrunner and executive producer.”

Subsequently, Mazzara then issued his own statement.

“My time as showrunner on ‘The Walking Dead’ has been an amazing experience but after I finish season three, it’s time to move on,” he said. “I have told the stories I wanted to tell and connected with our fans on a level that I never imagined. It doesn’t get much better than that. Thank you to everyone who has been a part of this journey.”

Said fellow exec producer Gale Anne Hurd in her own statement: “I am appreciative and grateful to Glen for his hard work on ‘The Walking Dead.’ I am supportive of AMC and Glen’s decision and know that the series is in great hands with one of the most talented and dedicated casts and crews in the business. I look forward to the show’s continued success.”

The Dec. 2 midseason finale of “Walking” drew 6.9 million adults 18-49 (a 5.5 national rating in the demo) and 10.5 million viewers overall, becoming TV’s highest-rated entertainment series in adults 18-49, including broadcast.

More to come ...