Matt Barr to Star in ‘Walker: Independence’ Pilot at The CW
Matt Barr, who plays Hoyt Rawlins in The CW‘s Walker, has been cast in the upcoming spinoff sequel Walker: Independence as another character with the same name.
As reported by Deadline, Barr will play Hoyt Rawlins in the 1800s-set series, which follows the affluent Abby Walker, whose husband is murdered in front of her on their journey out West. Abby sets out on a quest for revenge and eventually crosses paths with Hoyt, a lovable rogue searching for purpose.
Together, Abby and Hoyt travel to Independence, Texas, where they meet a group of diverse and eclectic residents, all running from their troubled pasts and chasing dreams of their own. As the world changes around them, Abby and Hoyt become agents of change themselves in a town where nothing is as it first appears.
Hoyt, a gambler and outlaw, is described as “cocky, confident, brash, and a bit foolhardy.” He’s been having an affair with rancher’s daughter Lucia Montero, but after meeting Abby, his wandering eye becomes laser-focused in one direction. Recognizing Abby is an upstanding citizen, Hoyt realizes he has a lot to learn from her, realizing she can help him out of the outlaw life and instead fight for truth and justice.
It isn’t yet known how these characters connect to those in the present-day plot of Walker, but given their shared names, one can assume there is some relation. Molly Hagan plays Abeline Walker in the 2020s set Walker, while Barr portrays Hoyt, the best friend of Abeline’s son Cordell (Jared Padalecki).
Seamus Fahey wrote the pilot from a story co-written by him and Anna Fricke. Larry Teng is handling directing duties and will also executive produce alongside Fahey, Padalecki, Fricke, Laura Terry, Dan Lin, and Lindsey Liberatore.
Barr is perhaps best known for his role as Danny McNamara in the CBS action-adventure series Blood & Treasure and as Johnson “Johnse” Hatfield in History’s Hatfields & McCoys. His other credits include Commander in Chief, One Tree Hill, Harper’s Island, and Hellcats.
Walker: Independence, TBA, The CW
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