Here at TV Show Pilot, we talked about the action drama series Walker in the lead-up to its premiere in early 2021.
This series was itself a reboot of the classic western Walker, Texas Ranger, which starred Chuck Norris in the title role.
Now, we’re back to talk about a spin-off and prequel entitled Walker: Independence!
We’ve always loved a good western series, so this fits the bill just right.
The Walker universe first saw plans of expansion when the parent series peaked in popularity and quickly became one of the network’s most-watched shows. Thanks to that, the creators were given an opportunity to explore the possibilities further and thus, talks on the production began in December 2021.
Walker: Independence soon received a pilot order in February 2022 alongside The Winchesters, a prequel to Supernatural, and the DC Universe-set Gotham Knights. In May, it was picked up to series.
Let’s take a look at everything you need to know about Walker: Independence!
Who’s in charge?
Walker: Independence was written by Seamus Fahey (who has also played a big role in Walker), based on a story created by himself and Anna Fricke.
Fahey is also executive producing, with Fricke and Laura Terry also serving as EPs under their Pursued By A Bear production banner.
Alongside them are Dan Lin and Lindsey Liberatore, who are executive producing under Rideback.
Finally, Jared Padalecki, executive producer for Walker and star of both Walker and Supernatural, is also EP for this prequel spin-off.
CBS Studios is the studio behind the production.
As part of an overall deal with CBS, Larry Teng was tapped as EP and director for the series pilot! This was a move almost expected, as Teng has directed many episodes for shows under the network.
What’s Walker: Independence about?
Walker: Independence takes us back to the late 1800s and follows Abby Walker, a Bostonian from the wealthy side of society whose journey to the West is destroyed when her husband is murdered right in front of her.
She falls back on revenge and crosses paths with Hoyt Rawlins, “a lovable rogue in search of purpose”.
Together, they find themselves in Independence, Texas where they form a found family with the eclectic individuals they encounter and moving forward, aim to become ‘agents of change’.
It’s not clear yet exactly how both Abby and Hoyt are related to the present-day Walker family and Hoyt Rawlins, but this is definitely something to look out for!
Who will we see?
Katherine McNamara (Shadowhunters, Arrow) is playing the lead role of Abby Walker while Matt Barr (Hatfields & McCoys) is playing Hoyt Rawlins.
Fellow series regulars include Justin Johnson Cortez as Calian, a member of an Indigenous scouting party; Greg Hovanessian as Independence’s Sheriff Tom Davidson; Lawrence Kao as Kai, a Chinese man who owns the local laundry and a good friend of Abby; Philemon Chambers as Gus, the town’s deputy sheriff; Katie Findlay as Kate, a federal agent undercover as a burlesque dancer; and Gabriela Quezada as Lucia Reyes, a talented singer and the daughter of a rancher.
Walker: Independence is scheduled to premiere on The CW on October 6, 2022!