Andrew Lincoln

Andrew Lincoln in a first look from the fourth season of AMC's "The Walking Dead." (Gene Page / AMC)

"The Walking Dead" is already alive and walking into its fourth season.

AMC has released a first photo from the upcoming season, featuring Andrew Lincoln as Rick Grimes back to work on the set in Atlanta. An ominous figure behind him indicates his battles with the zombie "walkers" are far from over.

The cast and crew began production on May 6, and the series will return to AMC in October.

The third season of the drama, which is AMC's highest-rated series, outdistanced numerous hit series such as "The Big Bang Theory," "The Voice," "Game of Thrones" and "Modern Family" in the adult 18-49 demographic.

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