Matt Barr to Star in ‘Walker: Independence’ as Hoyt Rawlins
Matt Barr will reprise his Walker role of Hoyt Rawlins on the prequel series Walker: Independence. But there’s a twist!
The trick to this clever casting is time since the prequel’s version of Hoyt Rawlins lives in the 1800s — opposing Walker‘s Hoyt Rawlins in 2020.
According to Deadline, who exclusively reported the news, Barr will be the project’s male lead. Jared Padalecki is set as Walker: Indepence’s executive producer.
Per the official description, Walker: Independence is a Walker origin story, following Abby Walker, an affluent Bostonian whose husband is murdered before her eyes while traveling out West. During her quest for revenge, Abby crosses paths with Hoyt Rawlins (Barr), a lovable rogue searching for purpose.
The pair wind up in Independence, Texas — where everything is not what it seems — and encounter diverse, eclectic residents running from their troubled pasts and chasing their dreams.
Deadline describes Barr’s Rawlins as “a gambler and an outlaw who lays low in the town of Independence.” He has an on-and-off affair with a rancher’s daughter Lucia Monteria, but his “wandering eye” changes when he meets Abby.
“Well aware that Abby is a straight arrow, Hoyt realizes he might have a lot to learn from her, seeing someone who might help him step away from the life of an outlaw, taking a side for change to fight for truth, justice, and the Texan way.”
Despite Matt Barr’s casting, there is no confirmation on how direct the connection between the two Hoyts is. We’ll have to wait until Walker: Independence premieres on The CW to get the honest answer.
Even though Barr only appears in four episodes of Walker, Hoyt leaves quite the impression on Cordell (as his best friend) and the series. Walker is currently on its second season, airing on The CW now.
Seamus Fahey wrote the pilot based on a story by him and Anna Fricke; Larry Teng is directing. Fahey, Teng, and Padalecki exec produce with Fricke and Laura Terry via their Pursued By a Bear banner alongside Rideback’s Dan Lin and Lindsey Liberatore.
CBS Studios is behind Walker and Walker: Independence.
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Shelby Elpers
Shelby is a TV enthusiast and pop culture writer. She's an avid podcast listener, green tea drinker, and soccer fan. Her brand can be summarized in rom-coms, superheroes, teen dramas, and workplace comedies.