“The Walking Dead,” the most popular show on cable channel AMC, has shifted locales each year. The first season was based in metro Atlanta, shot during one of the hottest summers on record, in 2010. Season two was set on a quiet farm in Senoia that was briefly an oasis from zombie attacks while the actors battled gnats and other flying annoyances in the dewy humidity.

This season is split between two set pieces: a seemingly tranquil, walled-in town of Woodbury (actually Senoia) and a prison, where most of the main characters break into as a potential sanctuary. The prison was built at Raleigh Studios in Senoia, granting the actors and crew more time in the comfort of air-conditioning than the first two seasons.

“I did 3,000 makeups last season; we may double that this year,” says the show’s executive producer, Gregory Nicotero.“And the prison Rick and the others are staying in has a different personality from Herschel’s farm [the group of survivors’ base in season two],” adds Nicotero, who oversees the zombies. “It’s much more of a haunted house with creepy hallways and spaces.” — Nicotero, who oversees the zombies.

The Atlanta Journal-Constitution also talked with three of the show’s actors, including IronE Singleton, who lives in metro Atlanta. But they were not giving away any plot details that might upset the creators — and perhaps hasten their character’s demise into zombiehood:

— “It’s cool how the stakes change for Glenn. Love can be dangerous. Now he has an attachment. He can’t just jump in a well and lift out a zombie like he did in season two.” — Steve Yeun, who plays Glenn, the boyfriend of Maggie.

— “In a lot of ways, Lori is a time bomb. With her pregnancy, there’s a point she can’t run anymore. She also has more nutritional needs. She can’t live on uncooked ramen the way the others can.” — Sarah Wayne Callies, who plays a very pregnant Lori Grimes.

— “You see Woodbury and think, ‘That’s beautiful! They’re in the apocalypse?’ But then the writers get you. They throw a curveball, oh, my goodness! It’s worse than anything they experience in season one or two.” — Singleton, who plays T-Dog.