In what many are calling the most obvious and least-surprising renewal in recent memory, AMC has announced that it will be bringing back the smash hit "The Walking Dead" for a fifth season.

"We are very happy to make what has to be one of the most anti-climactic renewal announcements ever: The Walking Dead is renewed for a fifth season," Charlie Collier, AMC's president told Entertainment Weekly. "This is a show that has erased traditional distinctions between cable and broadcast. Its expanding base of passionate fans has grown every season, most recently - and most notably - with the season four premiere earlier this month, which broke viewership records for the series and became the biggest non-sports telecast in cable history. On behalf of the incredible team on both sides of the camera, thank you to the fans and here's to more Dead."

As part of the deal, EW reports that AMC announced the new showrunner Scott Gimple will remain on board as the lead writer and producer. So far, the latest season of the show, which premiered three weeks ago, has garnered 20.2 million views and 13.2 million adults in the coveted 18-49 marketing range. This marks a new record for any non-sports cable telecast.

The show follows the trials and tribulations of group of survivors in Georgia following an infectious outbreak that turns human beings into mindless flesh-eating monsters. Although the show is centered on a common "zombie apocalypse," the word itself has never once been used in the show.

Gale Anne Hurd and Robert Kirkman, who created the comic series that the show is based on, will return to the series as executive producers once again.

Tell us what you think of The Walking Dead this season? Is it moving fast enough for you or is experiencing the same story slumps that have plagued previous seasons? Comment and share your thoughts on the season 5 renewal below.