The Walking Dead Showrunner On How They'll Keep The Cliffhanger A Surprise

In the digital age of social media and easy access we live in now, it's hard for TV shows and movies to hold back spoilers. Cast members whose characters are killed of join other productions, set photos surface online, video leaks - it's tough to keep the world out.

The Walking Dead is less than a day into its off-season of folks prying for answers to its big season six finale cliffhanger and showrunner Scott Gimple is preparing to keep the show's surprises in tact.

"We are doing our best in all those areas," Gimple said in an interview with ComicBook.com. "It is very, very difficult nowadays, especially on a show that's in so many different places. That said, we are working very hard to put things in place to hopefully protect it. Regarding [taking another] job, it can be a little confusing. We have a big ensemble and people do take jobs and have taken jobs throughout our seasons. You can be on a couple different shows nowadays. That said, we're trying to get around that, as well."

"We are going to try and protect the secret of this to protect the audience's experience," the showrunner goes on. "I sure hope it doesn't leak in any way. The world is what the world is. We're going to work hard to try and make that not happen."

Gimple can take a few cues from HBO's team behind Game of Thrones. The show left off with a similar epic cliffhanger, but instead of "Who is dead?" its fans have been left asking, "Is he dead?" Nevertheless, Game of Thrones has managed to make it a very well kept secret, so far.

"I would love to sit down with those guys," Gimple jokes about the Game of Thrones producers. "I would buy them many beers."

"I know that it is all in service to give the audience something," he explains. "It's certainly not for our greater glory. If we follow that philosophy, I think we'll be in good shape but I really want to talk to those guys and see what they think about it."

The Walking Dead will return for its seventh season in October. Expect a trailer to spawn out of San Diego Comic Con in July.