Photo courtesy AMC

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Less than a week ahead of its fifth season premiere this Sunday, The Walking Dead has been renewed for a sixth season.

"We could not be more excited for Oct. 12 as we share new episodes of The Walking Dead with fans around the globe,” AMC president Charlie Collier said in a statement. “In advance of Sunday’s season five premiere, AMC proudly confirms a sixth season order of this extraordinary series. Thank you to Robert Kirkman, Scott Gimple, the terrific executive producers, and the entire team who brings this compelling world and these rich characters to life. There’s plenty more Dead ahead thanks to their impressive, collective effort."

The zombie juggernaut has become the highest-rated cable series in television history, averaging 18.4 million viewers last season.

Season five premieres this Sunday at 9 p.m. EST.