AMC is on a roll. “Mad Men” has won the Emmy for Best Drama two years running and “Breaking Bad” is no slouch either. Now the network is trying yet another original idea: a zombie drama series based on the “The Walking Dead” comic series. Better yet, Frank Darabont (”Shawshank Redemption,” “The Green Mile,” “The Mist”) is helming it. Series creator Robert Kirkman discusses the new venture after the jump.

Frank Darabont, director of “The Shawshank Redemption” and “The Green Mile”, is adapting and directing a TV version of the definitive zombie comic “The Walking Dead”.  The project is being executive produced by Darabont and Gale Anne Hurd for a berth on basic cable’s AMC network.  More after the jump.

As writer/director of “The Shawshank Redemption”, Frank Darabont made one of my favorite films. If the movie ever comes on cable, I’m hooked. Doesn’t matter if I had plans, if I see any part of Andy Dufresne’s story on a screen, I’m in. So when I got the opportunity to talk with the great director backstage at this year’s Saturn Awards, I was extremely excited. Because even though I’ve spoken to many people in Hollywood, getting to talk with Frank Darabont was something I’d always wanted to do.

Anyway, after the jump is my extended conversation. We talked about “The Shawshank Redemption”, why he was at the Saturn Awards, why “Fahrenheit 451″ hasn’t been made yet, and he tells me what else he’s working on. It’s a great interview so take a look: