AMC sets Oct. 13 return date for 'The Walking Dead'

ATLANTA, July 19 (UPI) -- Season 4 of the Georgia-set zombie apocalypse series "The Walking Dead" is to premiere Oct. 13, AMC announced Friday.

The cable network said it will air eight episodes, and then take a break before resuming in February with the remaining episodes of the season.

"In the highly anticipated new season, we find Rick and the group fostering a thriving community in the safe haven of the prison. Sadly, in this brutal world, happiness is short-lived and walkers and outside threats are no match for danger brewing inside the fences," AMC said in a synopsis. "The group's home and new way of life will be thoroughly tested, and their struggle to survive has never been so perilous. Season 4 also introduces several new characters, including Bob Stookey [played by Lawrence Gilliard Jr. of 'The Wire.']"

"The Walking Dead" stars Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes, a former sheriff struggling to maintain order in a new world overrun by the undead.

The cast also includes Norman Reedus, Steven Yeun, Lauren Cohan, Chandler Riggs, Scott Wilson, Melissa McBride, David Morrissey, Emily Kinney, DanaiGurira, Chad Coleman and Sonequa Martin-Green.

The crowd at Comic-Con in San Diego was treated to a 4-minute, 27-second-long video preview teasing Season 4 on Friday.