'Hell on Wheels' returns with new showrunner

“Hell on Wheels” is coming back, with a different man at the helm.

John Wirth, who was the executive producer, will take over for John Shiban as showrunner of the AMC western.

Joe and Tony Gayton created the series and were showrunners until exiting after their contracts weren’t picked up, though they will remain consultants.

Shiban then was set to take over their duties, but left due to personal reasons after only a few days. Shiban had been with the series since season 1. The third season was briefly put on hold as the network searched for Shiban’s replacement.

“Hell on Wheels” stars Anson Mount and Colm Meaney, and is centered in a lawless town known by the same name. The town travels with the construction of the first transcontinental railroad and the show exposes the greed and corruption their in. The second season suffered from not having “The Walking Dead” as a lead-in, and also Dish Network dropping AMC.

 The series is from Entertainment One, Endemol USA and Nomadic Pictures.

Wirth has worked on “The Cape,” the ABC “V” reboot, “Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles,” “Love Monkey,” “Ghost Whisperer,” “Nash Bridges” and “Remington Steele.”

The third season, which will have 10 episodes, premieres in 2013’s third quarter.