McNamara Speaks Out on the Abrupt Walker: Independence Cancellation
Unfortunately, the popular Western drama's first spinoff has been abruptly axed after a single season.
Following the conclusion of Supernatural, actor Jared Padalecki opted to remain with The CW, starring in the reboot of the emblematic 1990s western show, Walker.
The series was a resounding success for the network, making the prospect of a spinoff seem inevitable.
In 2021, Walker: Independence was unveiled, appearing as an ideal prequel series on paper. Fans of the original show were keen to delve into the history of Cordell Walker's ancestors. The spinoff, set in the late 1880s, chronicled the life of Abby Walker, portrayed by Katherine McNamara. Regrettably, the strong association with the hit series wasn't enough to salvage the spinoff from cancellation after just one season.
In the wake of The CW renewing Walker for a fourth season, Walker: Independence was abruptly cancelled. This decision sparked significant disappointment among fans, who felt the show had been prematurely denied the chance to prove its potential with a second season. It seems that even the cast was blindsided by The CW's cancellation decision.
‘Oh goodness. I found out, you know, one of the showrunners and one of the producers called me, and you know, obviously it’s not, it’s not the call we want to get. It’s not the news we wanted to hear, but I think the show and the story will always have a special place in all of our hearts,’ McNamara said.
It appears that the cast of the short-lived show is already adjusting to the unexpected cancellation, with no apparent efforts being made to secure a new home for the series on another network. Fans had already speculated that the show's lifespan on The CW might be brief, as the network has garnered a reputation in recent years for abruptly axing shows after a single season.
A similar fate befell another Supernatural actor when The Winchesters, a show featuring Jensen Ackles and chronicling the lives of Supernatural's main characters' parents, was cancelled after its inaugural season. Unlike Padalecki, however, Ackles is actively seeking to salvage the spinoff he produced, calling on fans to back him as he attempts to pitch the show to other networks.
Source: The Wayne Ayers Podcast.