"The Walking Dead" is based on the comic book series written by Robert Kirkman and published by Image Comics ; Kirkman is also helping produce the television series.

The show is being filmed in and around Atlanta, where the comics are originally set, and is scheduled to premiere in October 2010 during AMC's 14th annual Fearfest, the network's marathon of thriller and horror films. The story follows a group of survivors, led by police officer Rick Grimes, traveling in search of a safe and secure home after a zombie apocalypse; the six episodes will be one hour each.

Local location scout Mike Riley said the show's producers asked for an isolated, open area, and he thought of the area just outside Mansfield, a place he has worked before. He said he most recently worked with the Cartoon Network show "Ben 10," which filmed in Newton County and Conyers.

"There's been a lot of filming in the community, Covington and Newton County. They are familiar with the process, and they know what to expect when a film company comes in," Riley told The News. "They're much more receptive and realize the economic impact that filming brings."

Publicist Karen Pidgurski said she isn't sure at this point if more filming will take place in Newton County.

According to AMC's website, the TV series adaption was written, produced and directed by three-time Academy Award-nominee Frank Darabont ("The Shawshank Redemption," "The Green Mile") and executive produced by Gale Anne Hurd ("The Terminator," "Aliens," "Armageddon," "The Incredible Hulk").

To learn more about the show, and to watch a video showing how to walk like a zombie, visit blogs.amctv.com/the-walking-dead/.