Jared Padalecki is saying goodbye to the CW after the cancellation of his last show, walker.
The longtime CW star — who previously starred in Gilmore Girls It is Supernatural — opened in a new Variety interview about his displeasure with the network that recently, and unceremoniously, canceled the modern reboot of Walker, Texas Ranger, in which he also served as executive producer.
The show was ordered straight to series in 2020, with Padalecki taking on the role of Texas Ranger Cordell Walker – after 15 seasons of hunting Supernaturalmonsters like Sam Winchester.
Although the show performed well enough that the network ordered a prequel series, Walker: Independence, in 2022, was abruptly canceled earlier this month – just before the season four finale aired. This meant that walker The writers failed to plan for the episode to also be the series finale, which left several cliffhangers hanging in the air.
For Padalecki, the news was heartbreaking. “I really would have done the show forever. I just loved my character. I loved being in Austin with my family. I loved my cast and our crew,” he says. Variety.
However, the actor also got candid about some of the behind-the-scenes maneuvering that he felt was the real reason for the show’s cancellation.
Following the resignation of longtime chairman and CEO Mark Pedowitz in October 2022, changes in The CW’s leadership coincided with several significant changes to the network’s programming. Together with walker, Superman and Lois It is All American: Homecoming should also be completed in the coming months – leaving All Americans as the only remaining series that has been renewed beyond the current season.
“I feel like the CW that I was a part of last year is not the CW that I was a part of under Mark Pedowitz for this entire period of almost 20 years,” explains Padalecki in the new interview. “They’re just changing the network, where it won’t be network TV as much as it will be, ‘Here’s something fun for an hour that you’ll never watch again, but I hope you do.’ it’s cheap!'”
“I hate to say this, but I’m just being honest. I mean, f*** it. They can’t fire me again,” he added. “I’m just being brutally honest. I think it seemed to me like they were looking for really easy, cheap content that they could fill their time with.”
For years after its inception in 2006, The CW focused its primetime lineup on teen- and family-oriented shows that were popular for its predecessors, The WB and UPN. In addition to Gilmore Girls It is Supernaturalfeatured hits included One Tree Hill, Gossip Girl, The Vampire Diaries, Riverdale and DC comics Arrow-verse of shows.
However, the schedule has seemed to change as these shows have declined in recent years.
“Maybe that was ultimately our downfall, but we never went for something like, ‘Oh, here’s the explosion. Oh, here’s the wild cliffhanger where the aliens come down. Oh, here’s the next reality TV star who comes in and takes her clothes off,'” Padalecki says of walker. ‘It was never about sensationalism… It was an exploration of everything life could have to offer – heartbreak, disappointment, shame, love, becoming an empty nester – and I’m worse than heartbroken that we can’t do it. explore all these stories.”
As he looks ahead to his next steps, however, Padalecki offers a tease that will thrill his fans – addressing rumors that he could reunite with his Supernatural Co-star, Jensen Acklesin the popular Prime Video superhero series The boys — which Supernatural creator Eric Kripke also developed and executive produced.
“I will say this: Kripke and I texted today,” he shares. “It hasn’t been written yet, but I think he was saying (the final season) won’t even be filmed until 2025. So yeah, I’m going to play at Kripke’s newest playground.”
“I had a great time the first time, so I’m sure I’ll have a great time here again. I love the show. I think it’s hilarious and exciting… I love Jensen and Eric Kripke,” Padalecki says. “So to work with him on a show that I like, I’m like, ‘Yeah, when do I fly?'”
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