Post-apocalyptic TV series are spreading

A record four television shows set on a post-apocalyptic Earth are currently airing. And that number is on track to hit at least six next year.
NBC has “Revolution,” set 15 years after a worldwide blackout. AMC has “The Walking Dead,” which takes place after a zombie apocalypse. TNT has “Falling Skies” and SyFy has “Defiance,” both set after devastating alien invasions.
Up next is “The 100” from the CW. It’s scheduled as a midseason replacement next year. “The 100” takes place 97 years after nuclear Armageddon destroyed civilization on Earth.
In summer 2014, TNT is scheduled to air “The Last Ship.” The show takes place after a global pandemic wipes out 80% of the world’s population. “The Last Ship” stars Eric Dane, Rhona Mitra and Adam Baldwin and is executive produced by Michael Bay.
HBO is working on a pilot for “The Leftovers,” starring Justin Theroux, Liv Tyler and Amy Brenneman. “The Leftovers” is based on Tom Perrotta’s 2011 novel of the same name. It concerns a small town dealing with the aftermath of a Rapture-like event known as the Sudden Departure, which saw people from all over the globe vanish in an instant. “Lost” producer and writer Damon Lindelof is shepherding the project.
But wait there’s more. SyFy is hoping to do a TV series based on the movie “Waterworld,” which takes place after the polar ice caps melt and flood the Earth.

See also: List of post-apocalyptic TV dramas.

Photos: Promotional art for “Revolution” season one and “The Walking Dead” season four.