Just days after I sat across from him at a Comic-Con round table, Frank Darabont has stepped down as showrunner on The Walking Dead.

Deadline Hollywood first reported the development and did not cite a specific reason, but Darabont hails from the world of movies. Many have speculated that work on a weekly series was simply a daily grind to which he was unaccustomed.

Darabont directed the pilot and has served as executive producer, alongside graphic novel creator Robert Kirkman, since day one. He'll likely stay on in some capacity.

The Walking Dead returns on October 16. Check out an extended trailer for season two now.

UPDATE: Producer Glenn Mazzara has been promoted. He's worked on such shows as The Shield, Life, Criminal Minds: Suspect Behavior and Hawthorne.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.