OFF BEAT: 'Walking Dead' creator sues AMC

The creator of the popular television series “The Walking Dead” and his agent have sued AMC Networks Inc. claiming they’re being cheated out of their fair share of the program’s profits.

According to reports, the suit filed Tuesday in New York Supreme Court by Frank Darabont — who created the zombie apocalypse-themed series — and Creative Artists Agency claims that AMC is paying an artificially low licensing rate to the network affiliate that produces the show, cheating the plaintiffs out of tens of millions of dollars.

The suit contends that the licensing rate is less than the actual cost to produce “The Walking Dead,” resulting in no profit for the production affiliate at the end of the season, according to reports. AMC has not commented on the suit.

Currently in its fourth season, “The Walking Dead” has been renewed for a fifth. Its October season premiere drew more than 16 million viewers.