The Walking Dead will end in 2022 after a two-year final season, it has been announced.

The zombie drama series debuted in 2010 and has now aired almost 150 episodes across 10 seasons, in addition to sparking two spinoff shows and several standalone movies.

US network AMC announced today that the season 10 finale - delayed due to coronavirus - will air on October 4, with six "bonus" episodes of the 10th season following in early 2021.

The 11th and final season will then play out in two parts, with the first 12 episodes airing in late 2021 and another 12 episodes rounding out the show in 2022.

After the show ends, a new spinoff series focussing on Daryl (Norman Reedus) and Carol (Melissa McBride) will take over from 2023, while there are also plans for another spinoff series, Tales of the Walking Dead, which will feature previously-introduced characters or new ones in standalone story arcs.

Scott Gimple, who oversees The Walking Dead universe, said: "It's been 10 years 'gone bye;' what lies ahead are two more to come and stories and stories to tell beyond that.

"What's clear is that this show has been about the living, made by a passionate cast, team of writer/producers, producers, and crew, bringing to life the vision put forth by Robert Kirkman in his brilliant comic - and supported by the best fans in the world.

"We have a lot of thrilling story left to tell on TWD, and then, this end will be a beginning of more Walking Dead - brand new stories and characters, familiar faces and places, new voices, and new mythologies.

"This will be a grand finale that will lead to new premieres. Evolution is upon us. The Walking Dead lives."

New spinoff The Walking Dead: World Beyond will premiere immediately after the season 10 finale on October 4, with the sixth season of Fear The Walking Dead premiering a week later.