MUMBAI: Fox Television Studios has signed former ?The Walking Dead? showrunner, executive producer, and writer Glen Mazzara to an overall deal, studio president David Madden announced.

Mazzara will develop a variety of cable television projects for the studio under his new banner, 44 Strong Productions.

Madden said, " ?The Shield? was the show that really put FTVS on the map, and Glen was a huge part of that show?s success. Years later, Glen has become a lauded and expert showrunner, and after his extraordinary stint on ?The Walking Dead,? we are proud to bring Glen back home.

"Like all television studios, we?re writer-oriented, but since we?re leaner than most, the people we?re in business with need to possess a profound level of fierceness and obsession, and Glen eminently qualifies. Closing this deal is a testament to our admiration for Glen, who is already brewing a concoction of ideas and stories that we are eager to serve to the world."

Mazzara said, "I?ve had a long history with Fox Television Studios, and it feels good to set up shop at a studio that I respect and trust, especially with David leading the charge. FTVS is giving me the opportunity to develop my own projects and to shepherd other writers on their own shows. This is where I want to be, and I couldn?t ask for a better partner as I take the next step in my career."

Mazzara joined AMC?s series ?The Walking Dead? in season one as a freelance writer, rising quickly up the ranks to become series creator Frank Darabont?s number two. Upon Darabont?s departure, Mazzara was elevated to showrunner for the second and third seasons of The Walking Dead, which earned both record ratings and critical acclaim. Most recently, it was named one of The American Film Institute?s top TV shows of 2012. Mazzara was also nominated for a Writers Guild of America (WGA) Award for his work on the first season.

Prior to The Walking Dead, Mazzara served as creator and showrunner of Crash, the television adaptation of the Oscar-winning film of the same name. He also co-executive produced the series Life, which starred Emmy award-winning actor Damian Lewis (Homeland). Mazzara also spent six seasons on FX?s groundbreaking series The Shield- produced by Fox Television Studios - as a writer and producer.