The recent cancellation of “Walker” may be good news for anyone hoping to see the Winchester brothers reunite on “The Boys.”
A network’s loss could become another’s benefit.
Hours after Entertainment Weekly released statements from Supernatural creator Eric Kripke about his high aspirations for working with Jared Padalecki again on The Boys, the CW officially cancelled the actor’s series Walker.
“Texts have been sent,” Kripke told EW days before the cancellation announcement. “I think it would be a bummer not to have Jared on the program at this time, even if it was just for one episode. He’s been shooting Walker, but now that the program is closing up, he might have some time to come in and play with us. I’d love it. We have definitely discussed it.
Padalecki starred as Cordell Walker on the reimagining of Walker, Texas Ranger, which is currently airing its fourth season on the CW. The network made no mention of Walker season 5 when unveiling its fall 2024-25 slate, and Deadline Hollywood reported Monday that production was preemptively breaking down the sets in anticipation of a cancellation.
On Tuesday, Padalecki posted a statement on social media confirming the show’s demise.
“It is with a heavy heart that I share this news with you. #Walker will not be airing on [the] CW for a fifth season,” he wrote. “It’s a tough piece of news to be sure, but we are SO thankful for the #WalkerFamily that has been built, both on set and off. After four seasons together, we have felt the love and support from the entire #WalkerFamily, and we will be forever grateful.”
The CW said in a separate statement, “We want to thank the entire cast, crew, writers, directors and producers of Walker for their hard work and dedication over four incredible seasons. We also want to give a special thanks to star and executive producer Jared Padalecki, who has been a member of the CW family for over 20 years and was integral to some of the biggest hits on the network.”
But perhaps this is all meant to be, especially if it means fulfilling fan wishes to reunite Padalecki with Jensen Ackles on The Boys.
The connection between Supernatural and The Boys runs deep. In addition to Kripke, who created both shows, a number of actors from the hit CW drama have popped up on the R-rated superhero satire. That runs the gamut from headliners like Ackles and Jeffrey Dean Morgan to deeper cuts like Nathan Mitchell (Kelvin on Supernatural, Black Noir on The Boys).
Padalecki’s Supernatural brother in arms, Ackles, notably followed Kripke over to The Boys, which is set in a world where superheroes are very real but act more like spoiled, rotten, out-of-control celebrities than noble protectors. Ackles appeared in season 3, in addition to a cameo in the live-action spinoff series Gen V, as Soldier Boy, the Captain America-esque supe from World War II.
Kripke previously told EW that he’s purposefully leaving the door open for Ackles to return in the role as needed. “The old TV adage is like, never 𝓀𝒾𝓁𝓁 anyone unless you really, really have to,” he said. “Never close a door, open a window. We’ll all have to wait and see, but I can’t imagine the series ending without Soldier Boy making another appearance.”
Season 4 of The Boys will launch with three episodes on Prime Video on June 13 and will be released regularly thereafter. Morgan will play a mystery character. Kripke refers to Billy Butcher, played by Karl Urban, as an old coworker. “I can tell you that he shares many of Butcher’s concerns and hatred for superheroes.” The idea stemmed from the fact that the other characters in “The Boys” always tried to pull Butcher back. So, what if he started working with someone who wants to help him move forward?”
Padalecki summoned Walker to join his Supernatural team in the battle.