Last night, entertainment sources confirmed that Robert Kirkman, the creator and executive producer of the highly popular ‘Walking Dead’ television and comic book series, is visiting Richmond, and the Oregon Hill neighborhood in particular, in order to find new settings and locations for future episodes.
Robert Kirkman
This news comes after much speculation about the The Walking Dead’s current studio setup and filming in Georgia in wake of state government legislative action that has been described as hostile to the LGBT community. AMC Networks has released a statement that says “discrimination of any kind is reprehensible”. In contrast, Virgina Governor Terry McAuliffe vetoed a “religious liberty” bill earlier this week that would have allowed businesses to discriminate against LGBT people based on their religious opposition to same-sex marriage.
With the current story and season of ‘The Walking Dead’s zombie apocalypse fictionally set around Alexandria, Virginia, it makes sense that tv production would go ahead and move to the Commonwealth. So far the Virginia Film Office has been mum about the relocation, but many local movie industry workers are excitedly buzzing about possible opportunities.
While no big plot spoilers were divulged, Kirkman said in a brief interview that Richmond will be prominent in the coming ‘TWD’ storyline. Oregon Hill, with its proximity to a large university, the picturesque Hollywood Cemetery, James River rapids, and it’s enclave-like status from its Belvidere wall, makes it particularly intriguing. He learned more about the neighborhood from discovering and reading the previously electronically published pandemic thriller “Harbor On The Hill”. At press time, there were rumors that Gov. McAuliffe had personally telephoned Rev. Turner to secure the Pine Street Baptist Church as a possible location for a survivor refuge.
With a reported average of more than 14 million viewers last season, ‘The Walking Dead’ has the highest total viewership of any series in the history of cable television. The hour and a half season six finale broadcasts this Sunday. Needless to say, future filming here will have a huge effect locally. Please stay tuned as this exciting story develops.
(Some folks are speculating that Kirkman may make an appearance at an upcoming event at Gallery 5: All The Saints Theater Company Presents: A Spaghetti Dinner with Bread & Puppet Theater! on April 10. All The Saints is the group that organizes the annual Halloween parade through Oregon Hill, complete with zombie bluegrass players.)
