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| "Days Gone Bye" | |
|---|---|
| The Walking Dead episode | |
&sq=engine&lang=en&file=File:DaysGoneBye.jpg) Rick Grimes arrives in Atlanta, Georgia | |
| Episode no. | Season 1 Episode 1 |
| Directed by | Frank Darabont |
| Teleplay by | Frank Darabont |
| Featured music | "Space Junk" by Wang Chung |
| Cinematography by | David Tattersall |
| Editing by | Hunter M. Via |
| Original air date | October 31, 2010 |
| Running time | 67 minutes |
| Guest appearances | |
| |
"Days Gone Bye" (titled "Pilot" on DVD and Blu-Ray releases) is the pilot episode of the post-apocalyptic horror television series The Walking Dead. It originally aired on AMC in the United States on October 31, 2010. The episode's teleplay was written and directed by Frank Darabont, the series creator.
Robert Kirkman, creator of The Walking Dead comic books, had considered the idea of creating a television show based on the comic series, but did not move forward. Darabont expressed interest in developing the series for television. In January 2010, AMC formally announced that it had ordered a pilot for a possible series adapted from The Walking Dead comic book. In the announcement, the executives stated that Darabont would serve as writer, director, and an executive producer alongside Gale Anne Hurd.
Principal photography for the pilot commenced in May 2010 in Atlanta, Georgia. It was wholly shot on 16 mm film and edited using computer-generated imagery. "Days Gone Bye" was heavily promoted in the months preceding its release; as part of an expansive advertising campaign, zombie invasion events were coordinated in selected locations including New York City, Washington, D.C., London, and Madrid. The episode premiered in 120 countries worldwide.
"Days Gone Bye" was critically well received, praising Andrew Lincoln's performance and Darabont's direction. Several critics compared it to Lost. In the United States, the episode achieved a viewership of 5.35 million, making it the most-watched series premiere in AMC history. The episode garnered a Nielsen rating of 2.7 in the 18–49 demographic, translating to 3.6 million viewers.