Frank Darabont was the original showrunner, executive producer and the one who adapted the comic for television. They have never said the reasons for his firing from AMC, but I gather it wasn't above board on AMC's side. Glen Mazzara, the current EP and showrunner, won't discuss it. But he has said Darabont was involved with episode production until 2x08. Most of the people who left the show last season was a result of Darabont's dismissal.
Dale and Andrea were actually supposed to have had a romantic relationship and it was intended to be done on the show, too. I was reviewing some season one eps yesterday and it's very clear they were setting that up in the last two eps. It was even discussed in an interview Laurie Holden (Andrea) gave towards the end of S1, she confirmed they were going to do it. Mazzara has to let on like it was planned for Dale to go now, so he's telling this story that it was always their intention to do it.
DeMunn, from what I understand, asked to be written off the series because of his issues with how Darabont was treated by AMC. Darabont and DeMunn are very good - and long time - friends. Since Dale eventually died in the comics, yet MUCH MUCH later, they figured they'd move it up and add in another surprise for the comics fans, I guess.
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winterfish
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Date: 2012-03-12 03:59 am (UTC)Dale and Andrea were actually supposed to have had a romantic relationship and it was intended to be done on the show, too. I was reviewing some season one eps yesterday and it's very clear they were setting that up in the last two eps. It was even discussed in an interview Laurie Holden (Andrea) gave towards the end of S1, she confirmed they were going to do it. Mazzara has to let on like it was planned for Dale to go now, so he's telling this story that it was always their intention to do it.
DeMunn, from what I understand, asked to be written off the series because of his issues with how Darabont was treated by AMC. Darabont and DeMunn are very good - and long time - friends. Since Dale eventually died in the comics, yet MUCH MUCH later, they figured they'd move it up and add in another surprise for the comics fans, I guess.