FacebookWe predicted The Walking Dead's finale ratings would be bloody good, and they are: The AMC hit wrapped up season three with record-setting numbers, drawing 12.4 million viewers and 8.1 million in the advertiser-coveted demo of adults 18-49—the largest audience in the series' history.
Those numbers mark a significant improvement from the season-two finale a year ago, which garnered an already-impressive 9 million viewers, and just eked past the zombie apocalypse drama's winter premiere in February, which nabbed 12.3 million viewers.
"Two words: Grateful. Dead," AMC president Charlie Collier said in a statement announcing the ratings. "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."
And clearly the cast is thrilled: Check out the awesome shot above, which was posted today to the show's Facebook page.
The Walking Dead, which has already been renewed for a fourth season, is expected to return in October.