According to Deadline, longtime television writer-producer Dave Erickson (Sons of Anarchy, Marco Polo) has filed a lawsuit alleging that AMC failed to pay him his rightful share of profits from Fear the Walking Dead, the hit spinoff he co-created. Erickson, who served as showrunner for the series’ first three seasons, claims the network’s accounting practices resulted in “tens of millions” in unpaid earnings. As Deadline reports, the filing argues Erickson has allegedly never seen a dollar in profit despite the franchise’s global success and its eight-year run.

Deadline notes that Erickson’s filing echoes previous profit disputes within The Walking Dead universe, including high-profile conflicts involving Frank Darabont (The Mist, Mob City), Gale Anne Hurd (Aliens, The Terminator), and Robert Kirkman (Invincible, Outcast). Erickson’s complaint cites a reported deficit exceeding $185 million on paper, alongside alleged discrepancies in profit participation payments already issued to other stakeholders. His legal team argues that AMC allegedly promised equal treatment among participants, a commitment they claim was not honored.

According to Deadline, AMC has rejected the allegations. The network’s attorney, Orin Snyder, called the suit “another crass money grab,” asserting that AMC has paid everything owed under contracts negotiated by experienced representatives. Erickson’s lawyers, however, maintain that their client expanded The Walking Dead universe and deserves the profits tied to that success.

As Deadline explains, Erickson has continued building his career following his time in the franchise, serving as an executive producer on Taylor Sheridan’s (Yellowstone, 1911) and Jeremy Renner’s (The Hurt Locker, Wind River) series Mayor of Kingstown, while also contributing to Tulsa King. He currently holds an overall deal with MRC (Baby Driver, The Great).

As stated by Deadline, Erickson’s lawsuit is expected to become another major showdown over AMC’s profit models, an issue that has shadowed The Walking Dead brand for more than a decade.