Jared Padalecki

THERE’S A NEW SHERIFF IN TOWN. OR to be more precise, a revised version of a familiar Texas Ranger.

Walker, the new CW series starring Jared Padalecki, is — yes, you guessed it! — a reboot of Walker, Texas Ranger, the action-adventure drama that ran for eight seasons (1993 – 2001) on CBS with Chuck Norris in the title role of a Lone Star State lawman who spoke softly and carried a big kick. But be forewarned: There is a pronounced lack of martial artistry in this version.

As Padalecki recently explained during a rare day off from his hectic shooting schedule in Austin, “My Walker, the Cordell Walker that I play, has nothing in common with Chuck Norris’ Walker — other than the name. And so our show is a reimagining more than a remake. And it’s very timely. It exists in our current moments, in our current state of political dichotomy and awareness of racial inequality. And it has a socially conscious way of asking, ‘Hey, is everything working the way it should be?’ From the top down and from the bottom up. And so, while we’re similar in name, I suppose this rose smells in a completely different way.”

“I’m a proud Texan, born in San Antonio. And while I was growing up, I would actually see Texas Rangers now and then. … And now I’m thinking, Wow, I get to portray that.”

Then, laughing at his Romeo and Juliet allusion, he added, “Just trying to sneak in some Shakespeare there.”

But did Padalecki hesitate while deciding whether