AMC stretches 'Walking Dead' order

AMC has extended its third-season order for ''The Walking Dead'' from 13 episodes to 16, stating its strength locally and worldwide. The cabler also stated that series ''Mad Men'' and ''The Killing'' will have two-hour season premieres per week apart, on March 25 and April 1 correspondingly. Meanwhile, sister network Sundance Funnel restored ''Iconclasts'' for any sixth season and ''All at risk with Joe Zee'' for any third season, as well as introduced that ''Top from the Lake,'' the seven-part miniseries that reunites ''The Piano'' director Jane Campion with Oscar-champion Carol Hunter, will start production in Nz on February. 7. Elisabeth Moss co-stars. Speaking in the Television Experts Assn. press tour Saturday in Pasadena, AMC senior veep of programming, production and digital content Joel Stillerman recommended AMC's journey from two original series yearly to nine (including three unscripted series) in 2 years' time. However, Stillerman seemed to be contrite about polarized response to the loose finishes left in the finale from the first season of ''The Killing'' this past year. ''I would like you to understand that people many userful stuff here out of your reaction to season one,'' Stillerman stated. ''We heard you, and that we clearly did not sufficiently manage anticipation.'' Stillerman stated that whenever thinking about several options, the resolution from the Rosie Larsen murder placed in the series premiere could be revealed in the finish of season two (because it is at the program's Danish forerunner), then added, ''Be nice,'' once the put together media jeered. The 5th season of ''Mad Males,'' which has not broadcast a brand new episode since 2010 due to protracted contract discussions this past year, will launch its first-ever two-hour episode at 9 p.m. before settling into its 10 p.m. slot the next week following the second season of ''The Killing'' originates using its own two-hour effort. ''Killing'' will usually air at 9 p.m. ''The Walking Dead'' is coming back with a brand new episode February. 12, then the premiere of unscripted series ''Comic Book Males,'' professional created by Kevin Cruz. ''Walking Dead'' has got the greatest 18-49 rating associated with a fundamental cable drama ever and works well on pay-TV for Fox Worldwide Channels' worldwide marketplaces. AMC added it'll premiere unscripted series ''The Pitch'' in season two and ''JJK Security'' within the third quarter. Season five of scripted series ''Breaking Bad'' will bow in quarter three, and subsequently seasons of''The Walking Dead'' and ''Hell on Wheels'' in quarter four. Contact Jon Weisman at jon.weisman@variety.com