Since fans have a long ways to go before Season 4 of The Walking Dead debuts on AMC this fall, the network has released a preview video featuring the cast and crew teasing what fans may expect. Executive producer David Alpert teases that there is a "broader, bigger world out there," which the show will explore. Comic book creator Robert Kirkman also teased that there will be more "world-building" and a "greater sense of community" in Season 4. Check out this extended featurette that also features interviews with stars Andrew Lincoln (Rick Grimes), Steven Yeun (Glenn), Norman Reedus (Daryl Dixon), Chandler Riggs (Carl Grimes), and executive producers Denise M. Huth and Gale Anne Hurd. Be warned, if you didn't watch the "Welcome to the Tombs" last night, there will be heavy spoilers throughout the video.

Production begins this May on Season 4 of The Walking Dead, which will likely debut in October during AMC's annual FearFest lineup of programming.

In related news, AMC announced today that The Walking Dead Season 3 finale, "Welcome to the Tombs", drew in a record 12.4 million viewers last night. Here's the full press release from the network.

Last night, AMC's Season 3 finale of The Walking Dead premiered at 9 pm, delivering its largest audience ever with 12.4 million viewers and 8.1 million adults 18-49, making the series the number one program for the night and the week for total viewers and in the demo. The series' season average is also number one for the broadcast season for adults 18-49 for all of television outdelivering everything including The Big Bang Theory, The Voice, Game of Thrones, Modern Family, and almost doubling The Bible. With Live plus 3, The Walking Dead typically, adds, at least an additional 3 million viewers.

Here's what AMC president Charlie Collier said in a statement.

"Two words: Grateful. Dead. It's a joy that we get to work with such tremendous talent to make The Walking Dead and Talking Dead come to life for audiences that continue to engage and grow. In just three seasons, The Walking Dead has become a pop-culture phenomenon, entertaining millions of passionate viewers and obliterating traditional lines between cable and broadcast television."

Following the 9 pm premiere of The Walking Dead, AMC premiered the finale of Talking Dead at 10 pm to the most watched episode in series history with 5.2 million viewers tuning in to the live show. The audience of Talking Dead out delivered HBO's premiere of Game of Thrones for the night. Hosted by Chris Hardwick, Talking Dead features Hardwick and fans, actors, producers and other TV enthusiasts, discussing and dissecting that night's Dead premiere. The series expanded to a full hour with the final 8 episodes of Season 3. The finale episode featured guests including Norman Reedus, Chad Coleman and Yvette Nicole Brown.

Key Nielsen Highlights for the Season 3 finale of The Walking Dead:

  • 9 pm airing - 7.4 HH rating with 12.4 million viewers; a +28%/+38% increase respectively over last year's Season 2 finale
  • - 9 pm airing - Adults 18-49 delivered 8.1 million viewers; a +36% increase over last year's Season 2 finale
  • - 9 pm airing - Adults 25-54 delivered 7.0 million viewers; a +31% increase over last year's Season 2 finale

Key Nielsen Highlights for the Season 2 finale of Talking Dead:

  • 10 pm: 3.1 HH rating with 5.2 million viewers, +15%/+20% vs. Season 1 finale
  • - 10 pm: 3.3 million Adults 18-49, +12% vs. last year's Season 1 finale
  • - 10 pm: 2.9 million Adults 25-54, +9% vs. last year's Season 1 finale

On Sunday, social media for the season finale of The Walking Dead ranked 1st among all television programs for the day. Talking Dead ranked 8th among all television and 5th among just cable programs on Sunday.