Actor Jared Padalecki, known for his roles in the television series “Supernatural,” “Gilmore Girls” and the recently canceled “Walker” reboot, is openly criticizing the CW network after the abrupt cancellation of his most recent show.
Padalecki expressed his disappointment and frustration with the CW's decision to end “Walker,” despite its popularity among loyal viewers, in a chat with Variety. The actor pointed to significant changes within the network as a key factor behind the cancellation, indicating a shift toward what he called “cheap content” rather than substantial programming.
Last month, The CW announced the discontinuation of “Walker,” a modern take on the classic Chuck Norris series “Walker, Texas Ranger” that follows Padalecki's character, Cordell Walker. The decision to cancel the show, which had completed its fourth season this month, came after what Padalecki says was the network's decision to take The CW in a new direction.
Padalecki regretted not being able to properly mourn the loss of the series because he was overseas when the news broke.
“I spoke to the director of CBS [Studios] and the head of Nexstar/CW, I spoke to the other [executive producers] “My understanding – and again, this is just what I’ve been told – is that Nexstar is going in a different direction with The CW. They are changing the network, focusing more on cheap filler content rather than investing in quality programming.”
Reflecting on his long relationship with the CW, which began in 2005 when he took on the role of Sam Winchester on “Supernatural,” Padalecki expressed a sense of disconnection from the network's current direction. He described the CW under former CEO Mark Pedowitz, who resigned in September 2022, as a different entity than what it has become today.
“The CW that I was a part of last year is not the CW that I was a part of under Mark Pedowitz for that entire almost 20-year period,” Padalecki told Variety. “It seems like they're just looking for cheap, easy content to fill their airtime.”
Despite the disappointing cancellation, Padalecki hinted at possible upcoming collaborations, including a reunion with “Supernatural” creator Eric Kripke on the final season of “The Boys” on Prime Video.
