The Walking Dead season 3

Rick's group finds a prison; The Governor threatens their safety.

The third season of The Walking Dead, an American post-apocalyptic horror television series on AMC, aired from October 14, 2012 to March 31, 2013. Developed by Frank Darabont from the comic book series by Robert Kirkman, Tony Moore, and Charlie Adlard, it was executive produced by Kirkman, Glen Mazzara, David Alpert, and Gale Anne Hurd. The season won two Saturn Awards, including Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series.

Quick Facts

Season number: 3
Showrunner: Glen Mazzara
Network: AMC
First aired: 14 October 2012
Last aired: 31 March 2013
Episodes: 16

Facts from the source article.

Production

AMC renewed The Walking Dead for a third season on October 25, 2011, following the season two premiere's cable ratings records in the 18-49 demographic. On January 14, 2012, AMC announced the season would contain 16 episodes. Filming began in May 2012 in Coweta County, Georgia, with Senoia serving as the filming location for Woodbury. Ernest Dickerson directed the season premiere and, as announced by Glen Mazzara in November 2012, also directed the season finale.

Greg Nicotero, co-executive producer and special make-up FX artist, directed the fifth episode after having directed a season two episode; he also appeared as a zombie in "The Suicide King", having portrayed two different zombies in the first season. After the season concluded, Mazzara stepped down as showrunner and executive producer in a mutual agreement with AMC, citing a difference of opinion about the show's direction. A set of webisodes titled Cold Storage debuted on October 1, 2012, prior to the season premiere.

A special episode aired in July 2012, featuring a tour of props and sets used in the third season, cast and crew interviews, and exclusive footage of Michonne.

Cast

The third season's opening credits list ten actors, with eight returning from the previous season and two new cast members. Lauren Cohan and Scott Wilson were promoted from recurring status, Michael Rooker from guest status, and Danai Gurira and David Morrissey joined the main cast as Michonne and The Governor, respectively; Wilson and Melissa McBride are credited as "Also starring". Andrew Lincoln plays Rick Grimes, a former sheriff's deputy who has become a cold, calculating leader willing to abandon strangers and group members for the group's survival, and who conflicts with The Governor.

Sarah Wayne Callies portrays Lori Grimes, Rick's wife, nine months pregnant, resented by Rick and Carl for her affair with Shane. Laurie Holden plays Andrea, a former civil rights attorney separated from the group, who befriends Michonne and forms a relationship with The Governor. Norman Reedus is Daryl Dixon, the group's primary hunter and Rick's right-hand man. Steven Yeun plays Glenn Rhee, a former pizza delivery boy and Maggie's protective boyfriend.

Lauren Cohan portrays Maggie Greene, Hershel's elder daughter and a capable fighter. Chandler Riggs plays Carl Grimes, Rick and Lori's son, who becomes cold and brutal like his father but is often frustrated by restrictions placed on him.

Reception

The third season received positive reviews. On Metacritic, it holds a score of 82 out of 100, indicating "universal acclaim" based on 19 critics. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds an 88% approval rating with an average rating of 7.85 out of 10 from 327 reviews; the critical consensus notes the season's "palpable terror and visceral thrills" and deeper character exploration. At the 39th Saturn Awards, the season won Best Syndicated/Cable Television Series and Best Supporting Actress on Television for Laurie Holden, and was nominated for Best Actor on Television (Andrew Lincoln) and Best Supporting Actor on Television (David Morrissey).

It received a Primetime Creative Arts Emmy nomination for Outstanding Prosthetic Makeup for a Series, Miniseries, Movie, or Special for the episode "This Sorrowful Life". The season was also nominated for Outstanding Performance by a Stunt Ensemble in a Television Series at the 19th and 20th Screen Actors Guild Awards, for Program of the Year at the 29th TCA Awards, and Andrew Lincoln was nominated for Best Actor in a Drama Series at the 3rd Critics' Choice Television Awards.

Home media releases

The third season was released on DVD and Blu-ray in region 1 on August 27, 2013, in region 2 on September 30, 2013, and in region 4 on September 25, 2013. Special features include eight featurettes, five audio commentaries for episodes "Killer Within", "Say the Word", "Made to Suffer", "The Suicide King", and "This Sorrowful Life", and 13 minutes of deleted scenes across six episodes. A limited edition Blu-ray packaging replicated The Governor's walker head aquarium, designed by Greg Nicotero and sculpted by McFarlane Toys.