You knew it couldn't stay buried forever. The season three premiere of AMC's hit post-apocalyptic zombie gore-fest "The Walking Dead" is fast approaching on Oct. 14.

Based off the monthly black-and-white comic book series written by Robert Kirkman, "The Walking Dead" follows a gang of lost souls just trying to survive day-to-day life in a zombie-ridden wasteland. The first two seasons of the AMC series have been hugely-successful. After the season two premiere broke cable ratings records in the 18-49 demographic AMC renewed the show for a third season.

Since then, AMC has announced a slew of new information about the third season. Creator Kirkman has confirmed the third season of the horror series will contain an extended run of 16 episodes, and that it will be split into two halves with the first eight episodes set to premiere on Oct. 14, and the other eight episodes to air in early spring 2013.

Creators have also revealed that season three will introduce many new characters, and contain some shocking deaths of beloved characters. Really, just more of what we've come to expect and love from the gore-happy series. Fan-boy "Walking Dead" re-cap show "Talking Dead" announced that the new cast would include David Morrissey as The Governor, Danai Gurira had been cast as Michonne, and that Michael Rooker (the beloved and hated Merle) would also return in the new season.

Danai Gurira, who plays Michonne in the upcoming season, recently spoke with Entertainment Weekly about her heavily anticipated character's place in "Walking Dead" world. A fan favorite from the comic book (and glimpsed briefly in the season 2 finale) Michonne is known for dragging along two armless, jawless zombie "Pets" on chains, and carrying around a katana sword she uses to decapitate walkers.

One of the most talked about characters from the new season, Gurira felt a quick connection to her character's samurai sword. "It's amazingly fun, you start feel like much more powerful than you thought you could. It's like an extension of your own power right to the tip. It's an amazing tool," Gurira told EW.

"The interesting thing about Michonne is that her history with the sword isn't a traditional one. It's not as though she was taught by a guru in the bamboo flays of Japan, she figured it out as she went along because it was the weapon that she uncovered and discovered. There's a deep connection she has to this weapon. And her connection to it is not about using it the same way as anyone else has ever used it before. It's about: how is the most efficient, effective, powerful way to use it in the realm that I'm in."

"It became of an extension for her of many things," says Gurira, "Of a rebirth into a new world. Not the world than anyone would ever want, but one that she's damn sure gonna make sure she survives in - and thrives in."

Gurira added fans could count on a lot more violence in season three. Melissa McBride (who plays Carol) also divulged, "There's going to be some new locations, very compelling new characters, shocking deaths, and hordes of zombies."

Even though there will plenty of zombies, it appears that the focus will be more on the conflicts between the survivors, which echoes every little clue AMC has been dropping in its promotion. Norman Reedus (who plays Daryl) says that in season 3, "It's a lot about people versus people, rather than people versus walkers."

Star Andrew Lincoln (who plays group leader Rick Grimes) has assured fans the third season has a barnburner approach, so strap yourselves in, and get ready. "The energy of the first...the opening episode certainly sets the tone. We hit the ground running," said Lincoln.