The CW has released a new promo for Walker, and while it doesn’t reveal any plot details for the network’s reboot of the CBS series Walker, Texas Ranger, it does give fans their first look at Jared Padalecki as the show’s titular character, Cordell Walker.
In the 30-second teaser, Padalecki invites his fans to tune in for Walker, all while acknowledging his time on Supernatural. “This January, I’ll be going from the Winchester family to the Walker family,” says the actor, who played Sam Winchester in all 15 seasons of the recently concluded series.
While the actor’s attire as Cordell looks closely similar with his outfits as Sam on Supernatural, fans of the Eric Kripke-created series will notice that the actor’s signature near-shoulder-length hair has been tamed and brushed back, giving him a look that is much more suitable for his new law enforcement role.
Believed to be a straight reboot in the vein of CBS’ Magnum PI and MacGyver, Walker ― just like the original series starring Chuck Norris ― will explore morality, family, and rediscovering humanity’s lost common ground. It will center on Padaleki’s Cordell, a man finding his way back to his family while investigating crime in Texas’ most elite unit.
After going undercover for two years for a high-profile case, Cordell, a broken widower and father of two, returns to Austin and finds out that there’s even more work to be done at home. He’ll attempt to reconnect with his creative and thoughtful son Arlo (Kale Culley) and his headstrong, somewhat rebellious teenaged daughter Stella (Violet Brinson). He’ll also navigate clashes with his other family members, including his ADA brother Liam (Keegan Allen) who stepped in during Walker’s absence; his perceptive mother Abeline (Molly Hagen); and his traditional rancher father Bonham (Mitch Pileggi).
Meanwhile, at work, Cordell’s former colleague Larry James (Coby Bell) is now his Ranger Captain. While growing increasingly suspicious about the circumstances surrounding his wife’s death, Walker finds unexpected common ground with his new partner Mickie (Lindsey Morgan), who is one of the first women in Texas Rangers’ history.
Walker is set to premiere on Thursday, January 21st, 2021 at 8 p.m. ET on The CW.