Shudder Sets Unscripted Series From ‘The Walking Dead’ Special Effects Ace Greg Nicotero
Horror streaming service Shudder has greenlighted Guts & Glory, an unscripted horror-based competition series created by noted special effects artist, director and executive producer Greg Nicotero.
The creator is known for his work on The Walking Dead, The Walking Dead: Daryl Dixon and Creepshow.
AMC Networks made the announcement ahead of the company’s upfront presentation to advertisers on Wednesday.
Details were scarce in the official announcement of the six-episode series. It “flips the script on the traditional competition show – thrusting players into an immersive horror experience full of unexpected challenges,” a press release said. The series, which features an integrated sponsorship by Hyundai. is set to debut later this year on both Shudder and AMC+ in the U.S. and Canada.
“If you know horror, you know the innovation and creativity that Greg Nicotero brings to the genre. His legendary special effects work has given audiences a fresh and thrilling take on familiar genre staples from his notorious walkers of The Walking Dead to the monsters of Creepshow and more, never failing to shock and scare,” said Rob Fox, EVP of production for AMC Networks. “We’re thrilled to continue our longstanding relationship with Greg in bringing his unique concept to life with moments and scenarios that shock, surprise and showcase the depth of this genre.”
Nicotero said the new series blending genre narrative and unscripted competition “lands along the lines of ‘if Survivor and The Blair Witch Project had a baby.’ It’s one of the most creative and organic things I’ve ever done, creating FX that have to happen live in real time and capturing the honest reactions….all the while fighting to see who the winner will be.”
Guts & Glory is a production from AMC Studios. Executive producers include series showrunner Nicotero and Brian Witten, from Monster Agency Productions, Chris Wagner from White Label, and Andrew Molina. Jeffrey F. January serves as co-executive producer.
This month marks Shudder’s 10-year anniversary. The Walking Dead is also celebrating its 15th anniversary as a franchise.
