(from the LA Times)

Just in time for the holidays, AMC has quite a surprise for fans of “The Walking Dead.” The megahit zombie series has been picked up for a fourth season, but will continue without showrunner Glen Mazzara at the helm.

In a statement Friday announcing the show’s pickup – all but a foregone conclusion, given its record-setting ratings – AMC also dropped the bombshell that Mazzara would no longer be involved with the series beyond the current season, which resumes in February.

“The two parties have mutually decided to part ways,” AMC said in the 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.”

The statement strongly hints at creative differences between Mazzara and the powers that be at AMC: “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.”

Given the show’s gangbuster ratings — it recently became the first cable series to win the fall TV ratings in the much-coveted 18-to-49 demographic — a creative shakeup of this magnitude comes as a big surprise.

But adding to the drama is the fact that Mazzara is now the second showrunner to part from “The Walking Dead” under mysterious circumstances, following theexit of series creator Frank Darabont during production of season 2.

(continued on WalkingtheWalkingDead.com)