Walking Dead Walkers

A group of walkers from Season 5 of AMC's "The Walking Dead."

(Frank Ockenfels 3/AMC)

CLEVELAND, Ohio – It's official. After much speculation, "The Walking Dead's" new companion series will be set on the West Coast.

The news broke earlier this week, adding to the little bit we know about the series, which is set to begin filming in January. Here are the facts, as we know them thus far:

It's set in Los Angeles

Variety confirmed earlier this week that the series would be set in Los Angeles. It's not confirmed where the show will be shot. However, it's worth noting "The Walking Dead" is both set and filmed in Atlanta.

The series' is codenamed "Cobalt"

It's doubtful "The Walking Dead" companion series's final title will be "Cobalt" (that's a horrible name). But that is the current working title. "The Walking Dead" does a great job keeping its plot details secret prior to an episode's release. Expect the same with the companion series. I also don't expect the show to go the "CSI" route and go with "The Walking Dead: Los Angeles."

It's a prequel

"Cobalt" will be a prequel of sorts to "The Walking Dead." The show will allow comic book creator Robert Kirkman to explore the origins of his zombie apocalypse.

Robert Kirkman and Dave Erickson will lead the charge as showrunners

Kirkman's role with "The Walking Dead" TV series has grown substantially since Season 1. So it only makes sense that he would play a big part in "Cobalt." Erickson also leaves the companion series in good hands. He is mostly known for his work as executive producer on FX's "Sons of Anarchy."

It probably won't involve any current characters from "The Walking Dead"

"Cobalt" isn't really a spinoff. It takes place in the same universe as AMC's mega-popular show, but it will feature a different cast of characters. However...

It could have a cameo

Rumor has it that a character from "The Walking Dead" will appear in the first episode of "Cobalt." Those rumors aren't confirmed. If that is the case, it could be just about anyone.

These are your characters

TV Line obtained a list of characters from the companion series' casting call in September:

Sean Cabrera: A Latino male in his early 40s. Sean is a good man trying to do right by everyone in his life.

Cody Cabrera: Sean's whip-smart and rebellious teenage son. Known as the angriest kid in town.

Nancy Tompkins: A thirty-something single mom with two kids. Nancy looks like the girl next door, but there's an edge to her.

Nick Tompkins: Nancy's screwed-up teenage son. He's too old to stay home, too scared to flee.

Ashley Tompkins: Nancy's mostly levelheaded teenage daughter. Her ambition is in direct proportion to her older brother's failures. She loves her mom, but it's time to get out of Dodge.

Andrea Chapman: A somewhat wilted flower child, forty-something. Andrea retreated to the outskirts of the city to recover after a horrible marriage.

A few actors have signed on

So far the cast of "Cobalt" includes Cliff Curtis, Frank Dillane and Alycia Debnam Carey. Curtis recently starred in Fox's cancelled series "Gang Related." Debnam Carey starred in "Into the Storm." Of course, "Harry Potter" fans will recognize Dillane as the character Tom Riddle from "Half-Blood Prince."

The show is only in the pilot stage

So far, AMC has only committed to a pilot for the new series. Though, it's highly likely the show will be picked up for a full season. If it gets half the ratings of "The Walking Dead," it will be considered a hit.