An encounter with the living dead

Yes Halloween's just over and you've spooked out enough, but let me warn you, the ghoulish spirits are still out there and they're very much alive. Don't believe me? Then check out Fox Television's new zombie apocalypse series titled The Walking Dead. Based on a popular comic book series by Robert Kirkman, the series makes its UAE debut on the Fox Series channel on Sunday at 11pm. We got a chance to watch an exclusive preview of the first episode and found the edge-of-your-seat drama exciting. Here's what we can tell you about it. But first a word of caution. If you're the chicken-hearted type, then you better keep away as you are not ideally suited for an encounter with dead people. What would scare you out of your wits much more is the sight of half-rotten torsos springing to life and go after living beings.

The series begins in the present, while taking you back via a flashback and telling you what's transpired. The opening scene has sheriff's deputy Rick Grimes (Andrew Lincoln) trying to help a little girl, who seems to be the only living soul among a mass of dead people and general destruction. But he's in for a shock, as the girl, turns out to be a zombie and comes after him.

Soon after (as seen in the flashback), Grimes is shown going down with a serious injury after a bullet catches him during a police encounter. He is taken to hospital, where, after weeks lying in a coma, he wakes up to find the place abandoned and deserted.

Everything around him has changed and looks different. There seems to be no sign of life around. The entire landscape is a picture of destruction and gloom.

He then begins his journey home, only to find the street outside the hospital strewn with bodies. The town has already been taken over by zombies. He is bewildered and scared.

As he runs and stumbles in an attempt to reach home, he encounters Morgan and Duane, who seem to be the only living souls around. They take Grimes to their home and teach him the new rules of survival in this zombie-infested town. As soon as Grimes is fully recovered (from his gunshot wounds) he goes home, only to find his wife, Lori, and young son, Carl missing. His instincts tell him that they are alive and have not turned into, or become victims of the zombies.

He then arms himself and sets off on a trip to find his family.

Can Rick and the others hold onto their humanity as they fight to live in this terrifying new world? And, amidst dire conditions and personal rivalries, will they ultimately survive one another?

The series is written and produced by Frank Darabont (The Shawshank Redemption, The Green Mile), who also directs the pilot episode. In addition to Darabont, the other directors include Michelle MacLaren, Gwyneth Horder Payton, Johan Renck, Ernest Dickerson and Guy Ferland.

The Walking Dead airs on Fox Series on Sundays at 11pm.