"Guts & Glory" Secretly Scares Contestants on The Walking Dead Sets

Get ready for a horror reality show like no other! Greg Nicotero's new series, "Guts & Glory," puts contestants through terrifying challenges, secretly using familiar locations from "The Walking Dead."

TL;DR: The Lowdown on "Guts & Glory"

• Secret Filming Location: "Guts & Glory" was secretly shot on the very same Georgia sets used for "The Walking Dead," including the Whisperers' camp and an abandoned hospital.
• From Horror Mastermind: Created, executive produced, and hosted by Greg Nicotero, the special effects guru and director behind much of "The Walking Dead" universe.
• "Blair Witch Meets Survivor": This six-episode reality competition throws contestants into fully immersive horror scenarios, testing their fears, skills, and intellect with "unusual eliminations."
• Where to Watch: The series premieres Tuesday, October 14, on Shudder and AMC+, with new episodes dropping weekly until the finale on November 4.

Unveiling the Chilling Secret: Inside The Walking Dead's Hidden World

Imagine signing up for a reality competition show, expecting some standard challenges, and then suddenly realizing you’ve been dropped into a living, breathing horror movie. That’s exactly what happened to the unsuspecting contestants of "Guts & Glory," the brand-new horror competition series that’s about to hit your screens. And the biggest shocker? A huge chunk of the show was secretly filmed on the iconic sets of "The Walking Dead" in Georgia!

This whole operation was cloaked in secrecy, so much so that the show’s producers went to great lengths to mislead the contestants. Initially, they were told they'd be heading to Alabama. Greg Nicotero, the horror maestro behind "Guts & Glory" (and, of course, "The Walking Dead"), spilled the beans on the elaborate deception: "The contestants landed in Atlanta, we put them in a bus, and we drove them to Alabama. They stayed overnight at a hotel. They came out, they got in a bus with the windows blacked out, and we drove them back to Georgia."

Once back in Georgia, these blindfolded hopefuls were driven onto "The Walking Dead" backlot. Producers made sure to take them "deep enough" that they couldn't spot the familiar sound stages, making them believe they were "in the middle of nowhere." But nope, they were smack dab in the middle of a post-apocalyptic dream (or nightmare!).

Exploring Familiar (and Terrifying) Landscapes of the Apocalypse

For eagle-eyed fans of "The Walking Dead," some of these sets will be instantly recognizable. The contestants' main camp? That's right, it was literally set up where the Whisperers' camp used to be! Can you imagine the chills if they’d figured that out?

Another major location featured in the competition is the abandoned hospital from the AMC drama. But this wasn't just any old deserted building; it received a full "Guts & Glory" makeover. Nicotero revealed, "We dressed the emergency room to look like it was a real functioning emergency room. Within 30 seconds, the lights go out, there are screams, horrible sounds from the hallway, blood splashes, the lights come back on, everybody's dead." Talk about a dramatic transformation!

This level of detail isn't just about visuals. Contestant Julia Linger, a self-professed "Walking Dead" fan, shared that the immersive experience included all the senses. During one challenge involving digging through the guts of a hyperrealistic corpse, she noted, "We’re smelling it in real time." The dedication to making the horror feel truly authentic, even down to the textures and smells, really brings Nicotero's vision to life, or should we say, to a horrifying un-death.

What Exactly Is This "Blair Witch Meets Survivor" Mashup?

"Guts & Glory" isn't your average reality show. Greg Nicotero himself describes it as an "experimental" show, a mashup of "The Blair Witch Project" and "Survivor." The series promises to be a "scary, fun, and wild ride" for both the contestants and viewers. Across six intense episodes, a group of brave (or perhaps foolhardy) individuals are dropped into terrifying, fully immersive horror scenarios. The challenges are designed to test their fear, skill, and intellect, forcing them to survive the night or face "unusual eliminations."

From blood-soaked hospital corridors to late-night graveyard escapades, every situation is crafted to push the contenders to their limits and see if they truly have the "guts" to grasp glory. The ultimate prize for the contestant who can conquer their fears and outsmart the terrifying game? A cool $15,000 and a brand-new Hyundai SUV. Definitely worth a few nightmares, right?

The show features a diverse lineup of contestants, including a stay-at-home mom, Paducah City Commissioner Dujuan Thomas, an Army veteran, a nurse, a college student, and a music producer and bartender like New Jersey's Julia Linger. Each brings their own unique perspective and level of bravery to the gruesome challenges. For Linger, who grew up a huge "Walking Dead" fan, the experience was "full-circle," even though she had no idea of the connection when she applied.

"You may have realized by now — this is not your typical competition show. We’re taking ‘The Blair Witch Project’ and ‘Survivor’ and they’re having a baby."

— Greg Nicotero, Showrunner and Executive Producer of "Guts & Glory"

The Horror Maestro Behind the Mayhem: Greg Nicotero's Vision

If you're a horror fan, Greg Nicotero's name probably rings a bell (or perhaps a scream). As the showrunner and executive producer of "Guts & Glory," Nicotero brings decades of experience creating gruesome, hyperrealistic special effects and directing some of the most iconic horror scenes in film and television. He's the man responsible for the iconic walkers in "The Walking Dead," having served as an executive producer, special effects artist, and director for 37 episodes of the flagship series and its various spinoffs like "Fear the Walking Dead" and "Daryl Dixon."

But his resume extends far beyond zombies. Nicotero has worked on an impressive list of horror classics, shaping the visuals for films by legendary directors like George A. Romero ("Day of the Dead"), Sam Raimi ("Evil Dead II," "Army of Darkness"), Wes Craven ("Scream"), and John Carpenter ("Halloween 5"). His credits also include cult favorites like Robert Rodriguez's "The Faculty" and Eli Roth's "The Green Inferno." Beyond horror, he's contributed to blockbusters like "The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" and several Quentin Tarantino films, including "Kill Bill" and "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood."

With Nicotero at the helm, viewers can expect nothing less than meticulously crafted scares and a truly immersive (and terrifying) experience. He’s taking everything he’s learned from making fictional horrors feel real and applying it to a competition where the contestants are genuinely caught off guard. As Julia Linger put it, "It’s the mind of Greg Nicotero. It’s not gonna be sunshine and rainbows."

Rocking the Theme: Guns N' Roses' Slash Lends His Talent

To set the perfect tone for this unique horror competition, "Guts & Glory" enlisted none other than guitar icon Slash of Guns N' Roses to compose the show's killer title and end credits sequence. That's right, the legendary guitarist picked up his axe and shredded out twisted tunes to get audiences pumped for the terrifying journey ahead.

Slash described his process, stating, "It was great working with Greg on theme for GUTS & GLORY. He gave me free rein to come up with something. We’ve been friends for a long time, I kinda of know what he likes. I was happy he asked me to do it, it’s a really cool show." Nicotero, equally thrilled, added, "I’m delighted to have the opportunity to work with my friend Slash on this particular project. He’s one of the most versatile musicians that I’ve met and knew that the subject matter was right up his alley. I mean, who wouldn’t want a theme song written by Slash right?"

The theme starts with eerie synths and church bells, slowly building an unsettling atmosphere before the drums and guitars kick in, delivering a heavy, melodic punch that perfectly encapsulates the show's blend of suspense and visceral horror. It's a sonic signature that promises a wild ride.

How to Catch All the Gory "Guts & Glory" Action

"Guts & Glory" is set to premiere on Tuesday, October 14, with its first two episodes dropping simultaneously. The remaining episodes will then release weekly every Tuesday, leading up to a two-episode season finale on Tuesday, November 4. Get ready for a Halloween season treat that extends well into November!

This thrilling new series will be available exclusively on Shudder and AMC+. Shudder, known as the go-to streaming service for all things horror, is the perfect home for "Guts & Glory." While Shudder typically features movies, docuseries, and scripted originals like "Creepshow," this marks a unique venture into the reality competition genre for the platform.

For those looking to stream, here’s how you can tune in:

• Shudder: Directly subscribe to Shudder for a dedicated horror experience.
• AMC+: Subscribe to AMC+ to access "Guts & Glory" alongside a vast library of AMC Network content.
• Cord-Cutting Options: Several live TV streaming platforms offer AMC+ as part of their packages, giving you more ways to watch:
  • Philo: Considered one of the most affordable options, Philo offers over 70 channels, including AMC, for $33/month (new users) after a 7-day free trial. Existing users might find it for $28/month.
  • DirecTV: Starting at $86.99/month after a 5-day free trial, DirecTV provides a wide selection of live TV channels.
  • Sling: With plans starting at $45.99/month, Sling offers popular TV channels and even day, week, or weekend passes starting at $4.99.

So, whether you're a die-hard "Walking Dead" fan, a reality competition junkie, or just someone who loves a good scare, "Guts & Glory" promises an unforgettable, pulse-pounding experience. Just be glad you're watching from the comfort of your couch and not actually in those woods!

Frequently Asked Questions About "Guts & Glory" What is "Guts & Glory"? "Guts & Glory" is a new six-episode horror reality competition series created by Greg Nicotero. It pits contestants against immersive, terrifying challenges, testing their fear, skill, and intellect in what's described as a blend of "The Blair Witch Project" and "Survivor." Where can I watch "Guts & Glory"? The series streams exclusively on Shudder and AMC+. You can also access AMC+ through live TV streaming services like Philo, DirecTV, and Sling. Who created "Guts & Glory"? "Guts & Glory" was created, executive produced, and hosted by Greg Nicotero, widely known for his special effects work and directing on "The Walking Dead" and many other horror films. Is "Guts & Glory" filmed on "The Walking Dead" sets? Yes, it was secretly filmed on familiar "The Walking Dead" sets in Georgia. Contestants were initially misled about the filming location, but parts of the show were shot at locations like the Whisperers' camp and an abandoned hospital used in the original series. Who composed the theme song for "Guts & Glory"? The theme song for "Guts & Glory" was composed by legendary Guns N' Roses guitarist, Slash. Sources

• Context from provided articles.