Walker: Independence is an American Western television series developed by Seamus Kevin Fahey and Anna Fricke for The CW. It is a prequel to the television series Walker, which also airs on The CW. The series stars Katherine McNamara in the lead role, along with Matt Barr as Hoyt Rawlins and Katie Findlay as Kate Carver, with Greg Hovanessian, Philemon Chambers, Justin Johnson Cortez, Lawrence Kao, and Gabriela Quezada also starring.[1] It aired from October 6, 2022 until March 2, 2023 on The CW. In May 2023, the series was canceled after one season.
| Walker: Independence | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Genre | |
| Based on | Walker by Anna Fricke |
| Developed by | Seamus Kevin Fahey & Anna Fricke |
| Starring |
|
| Music by |
|
| Country of origin | United States |
| Original language | English |
| No. of seasons | 1 |
| No. of episodes | 13 |
| Production | |
| Executive producers |
|
| Production location | Santa Fe, New Mexico |
| Running time | 43 minutes |
| Production companies |
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| Original release | |
| Network | The CW |
| Release | October 6, 2022 – March 2, 2023 |
| Related | |
| Walker | |
Premise
editSet in the late 1800s, this origin story follows Abby Walker, an affluent Bostonian whose husband is murdered before her eyes while on their journey out West, as she crosses paths with Hoyt Rawlins, a lovable rogue in search of purpose. Abby and Hoyt's journey takes them to Independence, Texas, a small town with a big future.[2]
Cast
editMain
edit- Katherine McNamara as Abby Walker
- Matt Barr as Hoyt Rawlins
- Katie Findlay as Kate Carver
- Greg Hovanessian as Sheriff Tom Davidson
- Philemon Chambers as Deputy Augustus
- Justin Johnson Cortez as Calian
- Lawrence Kao as Kai
- Gabriela Quezada as Lucia Reyes
Recurring
edit- Mark Sheppard as Nathaniel Hagan
- Nestor Serrano as Francis Reyes
- Santiago Segura as Luis Reyes
- Norman Patrick Brown as Chief Taza
- Rachel Michaela as Ruby
- Jonathan Medina as Otis Clay
- Timothy Granaderos as Shane Davidson
Guests
edit- Brandon Sklenar as Liam Collins
- Valerie Cruz as Teresa Davidson
- Cate Jones as Molly Sullivan
- Sarah Minnich as Martha Sullivan
- Stella Baker as Charlotte McKenzie
- Julie Zhan as Lily
Production
editDevelopment
editIn December 2021, it was reported that a prequel series titled, Walker: Independence, was in development with Jared Padalecki as executive producer and Anna Fricke as showrunner.[3] The CW was pleased with the pilot episode and gave a full series order in May 2022 for a fall premiere, pairing it with its parent series in a Thursday time slot.[4] Fricke developed the story with Seamus Fahey, who wrote the pilot teleplay.[5] On May 9, 2023, The CW canceled the series after one season.[6] Speaking on the cancellation, Padalecki stated that the series was being shopped around to other outlets.[7] On June 9, 2023, it was reported that it had failed to find anyone who would pick it up.[8]
Casting
editIn February 2022, Justin Johnson Cortez was cast as a series regular,[9] and Matt Barr joined the cast as Hoyt Rawlins.[10] In March 2022, it was announced that Katherine McNamara had been cast in the lead role of Abby Walker, the ancestor of Padalecki's Cordell Walker.[11] In June 2022, Gabriela Quezada was cast as a series regular.[12]
Filming
editThe pilot for the series was filmed in Santa Fe, New Mexico in early 2022. Filming for the remainder of the season began in and around Santa Fe on July 18, 2022.[13]
Episodes
edit| No. | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | U.S. viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Pilot" | Larry Teng | Teleplay by : Seamus Kevin Fahey Story by : Seamus Kevin Fahey & Anna Fricke | October 6, 2022 | 0.62[14] |
| 2 | "Home to a Stranger" | Larry Teng | Seamus Kevin Fahey | October 13, 2022 | 0.60[15] |
| 3 | "Blood & Whiskey" | Larry Teng | Michael Carnes & Josh Gilbert | October 20, 2022 | 0.51[16] |
| 4 | "Pax Romana" | Sheelin Choksey | Nicki Renna | October 27, 2022 | 0.52[17] |
| 5 | "Friend of the Devil" | Carol Banker | Nick Zigler | November 3, 2022 | 0.54[18] |
| 6 | "Random Acts" | Clara Aranovich | Mia Katherine Iverson | November 10, 2022 | 0.47[19] |
| 7 | "The Owl and the Arrow" | Cierra "Shooter" Glaudé | Ryan Harris | November 17, 2022 | 0.50[20] |
| 8 | "The Death of Mary Collins" | Pamela Romanowsky | Margaret Lebron | January 12, 2023 | 0.44[21] |
| 9 | "Strange Bedfellows" | Sheelin Choksey | Grace Ding | January 19, 2023 | 0.46[22] |
| 10 | "All In" | David McWhirter | Laura Sedlak | January 26, 2023 | 0.46[23] |
| 11 | "The Pittsburgh Windmill" | Geoff Shotz | Michael Carnes & Josh Gilbert | February 16, 2023 | 0.45[24] |
| 12 | "How We Got Here" | Sheelin Choksey | Seamus Kevin Fahey & Nicki Renna | February 23, 2023 | 0.45[25] |
| 13 | "Let Him Hang" | Yangzom Brauen | Seamus Kevin Fahey & Nicki Renna | March 2, 2023 | 0.44[26] |
Release
editBroadcast
editWalker: Independence premiered on October 6, 2022, on The CW[27] and aired its series finale on March 2, 2023.[28]
Home media
edit| Season | No. of episodes |
DVD release dates | Blu-ray release dates | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Region 1 | Region 2 | Region 4 | Region 1 | Region 2 | Region 4 | ||
| 1 | 13 | July 4, 2023[29] | — | — | — | — | — |
Reception
editCritical response
editOn Rotten Tomatoes, the series holds an approval rating of 71% based on 7 critic reviews, with an average rating of 7/10.[30] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 63 out of 100 based on 7 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[31]
Ratings
edit| No. | Title | Air date | Rating (18–49) |
Viewers (millions) |
DVR (18–49) |
DVR viewers (millions) |
Total (18–49) |
Total viewers (millions) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | "Pilot" | October 6, 2022 | 0.1 | 0.62[14] | 0.0 | 0.49 | 0.1 | 1.11[32] |
| 2 | "Home to a Stranger" | October 13, 2022 | 0.1 | 0.60[15] | 0.0 | 0.52 | 0.1 | 1.13[33] |
| 3 | "Blood & Whiskey" | October 20, 2022 | 0.1 | 0.51[16] | 0.1 | 0.46 | 0.1 | 0.97[34] |
| 4 | "Pax Romana" | October 27, 2022 | 0.0 | 0.52[17] | 0.0 | 0.49 | 0.1 | 1.02[35] |
| 5 | "Friend of the Devil" | November 3, 2022 | 0.1 | 0.54[18] | 0.0 | 0.49 | 0.1 | 1.03[36] |
| 6 | "Random Acts" | November 10, 2022 | 0.1 | 0.47[19] | 0.0 | 0.47 | 0.1 | 0.95[37] |
| 7 | "The Owl and the Arrow" | November 17, 2022 | 0.1 | 0.50[20] | 0.0 | 0.42 | 0.1 | 0.93[38] |
| 8 | "The Death of Mary Collins" | January 12, 2023 | 0.1 | 0.44[21] | 0.0 | 0.45 | 0.1 | 0.89[39] |
| 9 | "Strange Bedfellows" | January 19, 2023 | 0.1 | 0.46[22] | 0.0 | 0.37 | 0.1 | 0.83[40] |
| 10 | "All In" | January 26, 2023 | 0.1 | 0.46[23] | — | — | — | — |
| 11 | "The Pittsburgh Windmill" | February 16, 2023 | 0.1 | 0.45[24] | — | — | — | — |
| 12 | "How We Got Here" | February 23, 2023 | 0.1 | 0.45[25] | — | — | — | — |
| 13 | "Let Him Hang" | March 2, 2023 | 0.0 | 0.44[26] | — | — | — | — |
References
edit- ^ Reed, Sabrina (March 14, 2022). "Walker: Independence cast: who's in the upcoming CW series?". Hidden Remote. Archived from the original on March 17, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ Walker: Independence | Legacy | Season Trailer | The CW, archived from the original on August 22, 2022, retrieved May 19, 2022
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (December 8, 2021). "'Walker' Prequel 'Independence' Executive Produced By Jared Padalecki In Works At The CW". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 23, 2022. Retrieved December 9, 2021.
- ^ "The CW Network Announces Its Seven-Night Primetime Schedule for 2022-2023" (Press release). The CW. May 19, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2022 – via The Futon Critic.
- ^ Porter, Rick (May 12, 2022). "Supernatural and Walker Prequels, Gotham Knights Land CW Series Orders". The Hollywood Reporter. Archived from the original on May 13, 2022. Retrieved May 13, 2022.
- ^ Otterson, Joe (May 9, 2023). "'Walker: Independence' Canceled After One Season at The CW". Variety. Archived from the original on May 9, 2023. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
- ^ Gelman, Vlada (May 10, 2023). "Walker Independence 'Aggressively' Looking for New Home Following CW Cancellation, EP Jared Padalecki Says". TVLine. Archived from the original on May 11, 2023. Retrieved May 11, 2023.
- ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (June 9, 2023). "Walker Independence Fails to Find New Home After CW Cancellation". TVLine. Archived from the original on June 9, 2023. Retrieved June 9, 2023.
- ^ Petski, Denise (February 25, 2022). "'Walker: Independence': Justin Johnson Cortez Joins CW Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on August 22, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (February 28, 2022). "Matt Barr To Star In 'Walker: Independence' CW Pilot As Hoyt Rawlins". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on May 20, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ Anderson, Jenna (March 16, 2022). "Arrow Alum Cast in Lead Role of The CW's Walker Prequel Spinoff". TV Shows. Archived from the original on May 21, 2022. Retrieved May 19, 2022.
- ^ Petski, Denise (June 9, 2022). "'Walker Independence': Gabriela Quezada Upped To Series Regular Ahead Of Series Premiere". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 11, 2022. Retrieved June 24, 2022.
- ^ Gomez, Adrian (August 3, 2022). "CW's 'Walker: Independence' filming in Santa Fe". Albuquerque Journal. Archived from the original on August 8, 2022. Retrieved August 8, 2022.
- ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (October 7, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 10.6.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
- ^ a b Salem, Mitch (October 14, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 10.13.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 14, 2022. Retrieved October 14, 2022.
- ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (October 21, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 10.20.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved October 12, 2022.
- ^ a b Salem, Mitch (October 28, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 10.27.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on October 28, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2022.
- ^ a b Salem, Mitch (November 4, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 11.3.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on November 4, 2022. Retrieved November 4, 2022.
- ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (November 11, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 11.10.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on November 11, 2022. Retrieved November 11, 2022.
- ^ a b Salem, Mitch (November 18, 2022). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 11.17.2022 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on November 18, 2022. Retrieved November 18, 2022.
- ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (January 13, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 1.13.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on January 13, 2023. Retrieved January 13, 2023.
- ^ a b Salem, Mitch (January 20, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 1.19.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on January 22, 2023. Retrieved January 23, 2023.
- ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (January 29, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 1.26.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on January 29, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
- ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (February 17, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 2.16.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on February 17, 2023. Retrieved February 17, 2023.
- ^ a b Salem, Mitch (February 24, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 2.23.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on February 27, 2023. Retrieved February 27, 2023.
- ^ a b Metcalf, Mitch (March 3, 2023). "ShowBuzzDaily's Thursday 3.2.2023 Top 150 Cable Originals & Network Finals Updated". Showbuzz Daily. Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
- ^ Rice, Lynette (July 5, 2022). "CW Announces Fall Premiere Dates Including Debut Of 'The Winchesters' & 'Walker Independence'". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on July 5, 2022. Retrieved July 5, 2022.
- ^ "Thursday Ratings: CBS Wins; 'Walker: Independence' Concludes Season (Or Season) on the CW with Minimal Interest". March 3, 2023. Archived from the original on March 23, 2023. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
- ^ Walker Independence: The Complete Series | DVD | Box Set | Katherine McNamara (Actor) Archived June 24, 2023, at the Wayback Machine Amazon.com
- ^ "Walker: Independence: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
- ^ "Walker: Independence: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved October 7, 2022.
- ^ Berman, Marc (October 7, 2022). "Thursday Ratings: Respectable Sampling for Hilary Swank Drama 'Alaska Daily' on ABC". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on October 7, 2022. Retrieved November 14, 2022.
- ^ Berman, Marc (October 14, 2022). "Thursday Ratings: CBS and NBC Share Dominance; 'Alaska Daily' Dips on ABC". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on October 19, 2022. Retrieved October 23, 2022.
- ^ Berman, Marc (October 21, 2022). "Thursday Ratings: CBS Leads Uneventful Night; NBC in Repeats". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on October 26, 2022. Retrieved October 31, 2022.
- ^ Berman, Marc (October 28, 2022). "Thursday Ratings: CBS and NBC Dominate; The Eye Net Comedies Remain the Most-Watched". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on November 3, 2022. Retrieved November 6, 2022.
- ^ Berman, Marc (November 4, 2022). "Thursday Ratings: Astros' Game 5 World Series Victory Ignites Fox". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on November 10, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2022.
- ^ Berman, Marc (November 11, 2022). "Thursday Ratings: 'Young Sheldon' on CBS Most-Watched; ABC and CBS Split Leadership". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on November 16, 2022. Retrieved November 21, 2022.
- ^ Berman, Marc (November 18, 2022). "Thursday Ratings: CBS Fails to Capitalize on the 'Pickled' Craze". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on December 1, 2022. Retrieved November 30, 2022.
- ^ Berman, Marc (January 12, 2023). "Thursday Ratings: CBS and NBC Top Night; ABC's 'The Parent Test'-'The Chase' Pairing Lags". Programming Insider. Archived from the original on January 19, 2023. Retrieved January 22, 2023.
- ^ "Thursday Ratings: CBS and NBC, Both in Repeats, Share Low-Rated Dominance". Programming Insider. January 20, 2023. Archived from the original on February 1, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2023.
