The Walking Dead showrunner Glen Mazzara has hinted at an upcoming clash between Rick (Andrew Lincoln) and Shane (Jon Bernthal).
The two former friends have come into conflict on the AMC zombie drama, with both keen to lead the other survivors.
"It will be played out in the next episode," Mazzara told TV Guide. "The next episode... really puts Shane and Rick at odds, and Rick is tired of secrets, and a lot will come spilling out."
Mazzara also discussed reports that Bernthal is in talks to join TNT pilot L.A. Noir, overseen by former Walking Dead exec Frank Darabont.
"I haven't read the Frank script, but it is conceivable that Bernthal's character gets offed in that pilot," he said. "I haven't read it."
Discussing Shane's fate, he added: "We are a show that is going to surprise people. People can speculate.
"I don't want to say anything about secrets or spoilers or anything like that, but I think fans will be satisfied with our story, and I'm just going to focus on that, not other material."
The Walking Dead creator Robert Kirkman recently teased that things will "keep getting worse" for the show's characters.
"There are more dangerous things out there than the zombies," he said. "Things just keep getting worse from here."
The Walking Dead continues on Sundays at 9/8c on AMC. In the UK, the show airs on Fridays at 10pm on FX.
