Zombie television series have been popping up ever since the success of The Walking Dead, and there's no sign that the genre is planning to slow down anytime soon. Even if there is fatigue within a saturated market, zombie shows remain popular and relevant, with the best of them trying their best to differentiate themselves from the media giant that has spun out of Rick Grimes' quest to keep his ragtag group of survivors alive.
The shows on this list have tried to do just that as they take a different approach to the undead genre by creatively introducing new aspects to the typical premise. Some are even taking a new route entirely by integrating comedy or broader supernatural origins or political thriller storylines as well.
Z Nation (2014-2018)
Of the shows listed here, SyFy's Z Nation is probably the most similar to The Walking Dead. It has a similar vibe to the latter during its serious moments, but it also allows its characters and plot to have fun, which is something that The Walking Dead tends to fail at or constantly avoids.
Case in point, during the first few episodes, Z Nation viewers are treated to a zombie baby and a tornado full of zombies being flung at the main characters. Z Nation balances its serious moments with moments of comedy, disbelief, and creativity with ease making it a darkly comical foil to The Walking Dead that's worth checking out.
iZombie (2015-2019)
Loosely based on the Vertigo comics of the same name, iZombie is another inventive zombie show that takes a different approach to the undead. It focuses on Liv Moore trying to lead a normal life after she has been bitten and turned into a zombie.
She keeps her status a secret from everyone and decides to work in a morgue to get free brain food without having to kill anyone. Liv learns that when she consumes the brain she takes on the deceased's personality and is able to access some of their memories. She uses this ability to try to help solve each murder and crime that comes into the morgue.
Braindead (2016)
Like the previous entries, Braindead again takes a different approach to the zombie story and brings a political spin to the undead. Mary Elizabeth Winstead and Aaron Tveit star as two opposing political operatives (her being Democratic and him being Republican, respectively) who begin to discover that the extremely divisive political environment isn't caused by people alone.
In reality, insects have begun eating the brains of those in Washington, D.C. causing them to act aggressively and irrationally, which explains the increasingly heated political climate. It's an interesting look at the braindead zombie genre that mixes with the political thriller genre.
The Strain (2014-2017)
Based on a trilogy of books by Chuck Hogan and famed director Guillermo del Toro, The Strain follows a group of CDC doctors who are tasked with figuring out where a new virus came from after an outbreak of what looks like an ancient strain of vampirism. The virus begins to spread causing the team to begin to wage war on the dangerous undead entities.
Guillermo del Toro executive produces the FX show and overall the four seasons have great reviews.
In The Flesh (2013-2014)
This BBC show followed a teenager named Kieren, who returns home and tries to live a normal life after his death and subsequent resurrection as a zombie. The show portrays zombies as almost a lower class of citizens that many humans are prejudiced against, as they have been treated for Partially Deceased Syndrome and been reanimated.
Amidst all this, Kieren tries to adjust to his new life and begins to reckon with his community that is not as welcoming as it was before he died.
Being Human U.K. (2008-2013)
This BBC show isn't all about zombies and instead takes an overarching look at any and all supernatural creatures throughout its four seasons. The show starts as a look into the lives of three roommates of three supernatural species; vampire, werewolf, and ghost living together and trying to keep their identities a secret enough to live a normal life.
Although zombies aren't the main focus of this series, they do pop up from time to time among the other supernatural creatures.
Daybreak (2019)
Netflix's Daybreak focuses on a group of teenage aged survivors that are just trying their best to survive the zombie apocalypse. The world is full of zombies and brutal gangs of similarly minded cliques including sports jocks.
The show mixes genres and at times feels like a John Hughes inspired teen comedic drama and its cast even includes Ferris Bueller himself, Matthew Broderick. After only one season, Daybreak was cancelled, with many fans thinking it deserved a lot better.
Pushing Daisies (2007-2009)
Pushing Daisies isn't a typical zombie show at all, but it does involve some undead creatures that appear from time to time and it is a fantastic balance of stylized horror and comedy from Bryan Fuller. Pushing Daisies follows Ned the Piemaker (Lee Pace) trying to live a normal life with an extraordinary ability, that he can wake the dead with a single touch, but only for one minute or someone else will drop dead.
Ned meets Private Investigator Emerson Cod who convinces him to use his ability to wake the dead long enough to get information about their murder. He also decides to bring back his childhood crush from the dead, permanently, and this puts his secret power at risk of being found out. Despite its abrupt cancellation, Pushing Daisies continues to be a cult favorite even today.
Ash Vs Evil Dead (2015-2018)
Ash vs Evil Dead is a continuation of the film franchise starring Bruce Campbell as he reprises his role as Ash Williams. The Evil Dead's zombie-like creatures, the Deadites, returns to torment Ash once again after he hid from them for thirty years.
Ash is pulled back into the zombie-killing world as he accidentally releases a new Deadite plague and must stop it with the help of two new friends. Sadly, Ash vs Evil Dead was abruptly canceled with its last season ending on a cliffhanger which, fittingly, is the most appropriate way a TV show based on the Evil Dead movies (known for their cliffhanger endings as well) could end.
Santa Clarita Diet (2017-2019)
Netflix's Santa Clarita Diet shows the life of a suburban mom Sheila Hammond (Drew Barrymore) trying to adjust to her new status as a zombie with the help of her husband Joel Hammond (Timothy Olyphant) and daughter Abby (Liv Hewson).
The show is a darkly comedic look at a surprisingly supportive family that just wants to help Sheila no matter what... that means hiding a body of a man she's accidentally attacked or helping her choose her next victims.