The CW s Walker Reboot Brings a Flawed Hero, a Fast-Paced Story, and a Terrific Cast
Walker, Texas Ranger. The original was a big hit on broadcast TV, but has never had a significant following on home video or streaming, meaning that most people remember it more as a hazy idea or an idealized version of itself, than actually remember the nuts and bolts of the show. Those people might find the new
Walker a comforting watch, as it brushes up against familiar elements of the Chuck Norris series without being a true remake.
The series centers on Walker as a single father, mourning the loss of his wife. After seeing her run off the road by unseen figures, you might make some connections to Hulu s terrific revival of
Jared Padalecki: Border separations inspired Walker reboot
UPI News Service, 01/20/2021
The original Walker, Texas Ranger featured Chuck Norris roundhouse kicking the bad guys for nine seasons. Jared Padalecki plays the Texas Ranger in The CW s new series, Walker. Padalecki said the separation of immigrant families at the U.S.-Mexico border inspired him to bring a revamped Walker to the network.
ADVERTISEMENT I read a story about a law enforcement agent who couldn t bring himself to put a 3-year-old in the cage and take them away from their parents, Padalecki said on a recent Television Critics Association Zoom panel.
Padalecki observed a conflict between one s job and empathy for the people law enforcement was asked to police. The 38-year-old actor and first-time executive producer hoped to bring that moral complexity to the episodic drama.
BRUCE R. MILLER
When Jared Padalecki saw news stories about a law enforcement agent who balked at separating immigrant families at the border, he thought there might be a potential series worth exploring.
âI have a 3-year-old,â the âSupernaturalâ star says during a Zoom conference. âI couldnât bring myself to do that. Youâre bound by duty but you still have a moral code and you see people as human beings, not as perpetrators or heroes.â
Meeting with producer Anna Fricke, he tossed out ideas and the two landed on âWalker,â an update of the âWalker, Texas Rangerâ concept.