AMC has tasked Adam Davidson with creating the visual world of The Walking Dead companion series. The veteran TV helmer has been tapped as director of the high-profile pilot, slated to film late this year.

Co-created by Robert Kirkman, on whose graphic novel The Walking Dead was based, and Dave Erickson (Marco Polo), the spinoff takes place during the same zombie apocalypse depicted on The Walking Dead but in a different location.

Executive producing the companion series are Erickson, who serves as showrunner, and TWD exec produciers Kirkman, Gale Anne Hurd and David Alpert. AMC Studios is producing.

Davidson won an Oscar in 1991 for best short film, live action for The Lunch Date, which he wrote and directed. His episodic directing credits include AMC’s Western drama Hell On Wheels as well as Kingdom, Community, Grey’s Anatomy, Fringe, and Parenthood. Davidson is repped by CAA, Andrea Simon Entertainment and attorney David Krintzman.