Set in the late 1800s, Walker: Independence is the origin story for its sibling program, Walker.
Katherine McNamara, who stars in Walker: Independence, spoke with The Nerds of Color about the show, saying: "I think what made it [the show] stand out to me is that it’s a Western that tries to refresh and reinvent what a Western is. We take the term independence very interestingly."
Co-star Matt Barr added, "I'm excited for a new generation to meet Westerns."
Here's what you need to know about Walker: Independence.
How to watch Walker: Indepedence
The first season of Walker: Independence has concluded, but you can catch up with all 13 episodes through The CW website or app, which is free to watch.
What is the Walker: Independence plot?
The official Walker: Independence summary reads:
"Walker: Independence follows Abby Walker, an affluent and tough-minded Bostonian whose husband is murdered before her eyes while on their journey out West. After crossing paths with Calian, a curious Apache tracker, Abby arrives in the town of Independence, Texas, where she encounters diverse and eclectic residents running from their pasts, chasing their dreams and keeping their own secrets, including Kate Carver, an idiosyncratic burlesque dancer with perhaps too keen an interest in Abby’s origins, and Kai, a soulful Chinese immigrant who runs a local restaurant/laundry and offers Abby friendship without agenda. Abby also literally runs into Hoyt Rawlins, a slippery rogue, thief and con artist with a dented heart of gold who quickly eyes Abby as a mark, until she turns the tables on him.
"In seeking justice for her husband, Abby encounters Independence’s noble deputy sheriff, Augustus, and his new boss, Sheriff Tom Davidson, who she has reason to believe is a very bad man indeed. Abby and Hoyt soon find themselves precariously aligned, both seeking to uncover the truth about the identity of Abby’s husband’s killer and vow to save Independence — a frontier boomtown where nothing is what it seems."
Walker: Independence episodes
Here are the synopses for all of the Walker: Independence episodes:
Walker: Independence episode 1, "Pilot"
"In the late 1800s, Abby Walker, an affluent and tough-minded Bostonian, embarks on a journey out west with her husband Liam, when her husband is murdered before her eyes. After crossing paths with Calian, a curious Apache tracker, Abby arrives in the town of Independence, Texas, where she encounters diverse and eclectic residents running from their pasts, chasing their dreams, and keeping their own secrets, including Kate Carver, an idiosyncratic burlesque dancer with perhaps too keen an interest in Abby’s origins, and Kai, a soulful Chinese immigrant who runs a local restaurant/laundry and offers Abby friendship without agenda. Abby also literally runs into Hoyt Rawlins, a slippery rogue, thief and con artist with a dented heart of gold who quickly eyes Abby as a mark, until she turns the tables on him. In seeking justice for her husband, Abby encounters Independence’s noble deputy sheriff, Augustus, and his new boss, Sheriff Tom Davidson, who she has reason to believe is a very bad man indeed. Abby and Hoyt soon find themselves precariously aligned, both seeking to uncover the truth about the identity of Abby’s husband’s killer, and vow to save Independence – a frontier boomtown where nothing is what it seems.
Walker: Independence episode 2, "Home to a Stranger"
"Abby is joined by rough and tumble outlaw Hoyt and Apache scout, Calian, when she revisits the tragic site of her life’s demise in search of clues to help uncover the cold-blooded killer hiding in town. Meanwhile, new Sheriff Tom Davidson, and the town’s loyal Deputy, Gus, are determined to track down the 'mysterious' man responsible for the recent bank robbery. Kate badgers Hagan into doing the right thing, and Lucia finds a new friend – and discovers a surprising talent – in Kai. As Abby says a final farewell to her old life and 'what might have been' she begins to embrace a new start in Independence while she, Calian, and Hoyt hatch a plan to bring the real enemy to justice… but how close is she willing to get?"
Walker: Independence episode 3, "Blood & Whiskey"
"Presented with a challenge, Abby cleverly uncovers an opportunity to undermine the Sheriff. Hoyt grows tired of playing second fiddle to Calian in the eyes of Lucia's family before the two must work together to fend off a team of bandits. Calian's drive to help, however, may jeopardize his standing within his tribe. Kate is relentless in her pursuit of information on Abby, Kai once again proves himself invaluable, and Gus grapples with the trauma that comes with wearing the badge.
Walker: Independence episode 4, "Pax Romana"
"Abby and Hoyt agree to run a seemingly mundane errand for Tom Davidson that ends up exposing just how far the Davidson influence goes. Kate uses the annual Founders Day festivities to disrupt the town’s balance of power while Kai gets an unexpected visitor from his past. Meanwhile, Lucia and Calian help each other navigate the pressures of their respective families."
Walker: Independence episode 5, "Friend of the Devil"
"When an old friend rides into town, Tom Davidson finds himself in the impossible position of helping a former partner in crime while keeping up appearances as the town’s new sheriff. Abby and Kate's friendship is put to the test as Abby faces uncomfortable questions about her deceased husband while Gus and Calian reconnect and work together to pursue a new lead in connection to the murder of Abby’s husband."
Walker: Independence episode 6, "Random Acts"
"With questions continuing to surface, Abby digs deeper into her husband’s past while Gus and Calian follow a hunch which has them questioning a former mentor and Calian accused of a heinous crime. Back in town, Tom puts together a Fight Night in an attempt to impress a railroad executive despite Kate's protests, Hoyt dives into helping the Reyes family, and Kai reveals he knows how to throw a punch."
Walker: Independence episode 7, "The Owl and the Arrow"
"Abby navigates the unforgiving frontier justice system and her complicated feelings for Tom Davidson as she throws herself into defending a case with life-or-death consequences. Calian confronts painful memories to free himself of guilt, Gus weighs a friendship against his badge, Hoyt and Lucia must come to terms with an immeasurable loss, and Kate is faced with a choice after uncovering corruption in an unexpected place."
Walker: Independence episode 8, "The Death of Mary Collins"
"Abby finds her secret identity in jeopardy when an estranged family member arrives in town and demands Tom's help finding Liam Collins' missing wife. A restless Hoyt reconnects with his outlaw roots, Kai contemplates his future as his past begins to catch up with him, and Calian receives a dire warning from a mysterious woman that may drive him back to Independence."
Walker: Independence episode 9, "Strange Bedfellows"
"Abby starts to question everything she thought to be true, much to the dismay of her friends. Kai thinks he's seen a ghost when an unexpected person from his past appears in Independence, which makes Kate suspicious. Gus, Hoyt and Kate work together to help Kai, resulting in Gus making a move no one saw coming."
Walker: Independence episode 10, "All In"
"As a dust storm descends upon Independence, Abby and Tom find themselves desperate for shelter. Gus has a lead that can potentially help Calian. Kate, Hoyt and Lucia work together, but things do not go according to plan. Kate stumbles upon something very unexpected and leaves her questioning everything."
Walker: Independence episode 11, "The Pittsburgh Windmill"
"Abby proposes a scheme to reroute the railroad away from Calian's tribal land. Tom finds the tables turned while attempting to take down his brother. Kate and Kai navigate their fractured friendship while Gus remains convinced that Tom is up to no good."
Walker: Independence episode 12, "How We Got Here"
"Through a series of letters Gus writes to his late wife, the origin stories of Abby, Hoyt, Kate, Kai, Calian, and Tom are revealed along with the role each played in each other’s destiny."
Walker: Independence episode 13, "Let Him Hang"
"With Gus clinging to life, Abby, Hoyt, Kate, and Calian stop at nothing to expose Tom's true nature and end the Davidson reign over Independence once and for all."
Who is in the Walker: Independence cast?
Katherine McNamara stars as Abby Walker. The actress is best known for her roles as Clary Fray in Shadowhunters and Mia Smoak in Arrow. Additional work includes The Flash, Untitled Horror Movie, The Stand, Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials, Maze Runner: The Death Cure, The Fosters, Transformers: Rescue Bots and Happyland.
Justin Johnson Cortez, who plays Calian, can be seen in Lucifer, Splitting Up Together, 9-1-1: Lone Star, as well as Turbulence.
Katie Findlay portrays Kate Carver. Her television roles include The Killing, The Carrie Diaries, How to Get Away with Murder, The Magicians, Man Seeking Woman, Nancy Drew, and Zoey's Extraordinary Playlist.
Lawrence Kao brings the character of Kai to life. Film credits include Fistful of Vengeance, Lucky Fifty, Silver Lake, Max Steel, I Hate You and The Divergent Series: Insurgent. On television, the actor was in The Originals, The Walking Dead, Wu Assassins, The Purge, Leverage: Redemption, as well as SHELL.
Matt Barr takes on the role of Hoyt Rawlins. He can be recognized for Walker, One Tree Hill, Blood & Treasure, Harper's Island, Friday Night Lights, Hellcats, Parkland and Sleepy Hollow.
Philemon Chambers will be Augustus. Previously, he starred in Single All the Way as Nick.
Greg Hovanessian is Sheriff Tom Davidson. He has been in Love of My Life, The Mist, Cardinal, The New Romantic, When Hope Calls, Another Life and The Fight Machine.
Walker: Independence trailer
The CW has released an official trailer for the new prequel, which offers a more in-depth look at the different characters and western’s stories. Watch it here:
Will there be a Walker: Independence season 2?
The CW has not made a decision as of yet if Walker: Independence is going to get a green light for season 2.
