KatherineMcNamara

CW Independence Pilot as Abby Walker

Entertainment News / By /

EXCLUSIVEArrow alum Katherine McNamara will play the female lead opposite Matt Barr in The CW pilot Walker Independence, which is executive produced by Walker’s Jared Padalecki.

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The Complete Guide to Pilot and Series Orders

Walker: Independence, Walker’s origin story, takes place in the late 1800s and follows Abby Walker (McNamara), a wealthy Boston woman whose husband is murdered in front of her during their journey to the West. On her quest for revenge, Abby crosses paths with Hoyt Rawlins (Barr), a lovable crook in search of a target. Abby and Hoyt’s journey takes them to Independence, Texas, where they meet diverse, eclectic residents fleeing their troubled pasts and pursuing their dreams. Our newly minted family will fight against the changing world around them, and they will become agents of change in a city where nothing is what it seems.

2022 The CW Pilot and Series Orders

Hailing from high society in Boston, Abby is a stern woman who moves across the country with her husband to a new life in Independence. After her husband is killed in the night by a horse thief, Abby, heartbroken, wanders through the bushes and finally to the town of Independence. She takes the name “Walker” and sets about building up her power (personal and financial) because she will be the first Walker to go to war against overwhelming odds. First but not last…

It is unclear how Abby Walker and Hoyt Rawlins from the 1800s are related to the modern-day Abelyn Walker (Molly Hagan) and her sons, Cordell Walker (Padalecki) and Liam Walker (Kegan Allen), as well as Cordell’s best friend Hoyt Rawlins, who was played by Barr in the Mothership series in a recurring arc.

In addition to Barr, McNamara joins previously announced series regulars Philemon Chambers, Lawrence Kao, Greg Hovanessian and Justin Johnson Cortez.

Seamus Fahey wrote the pilot based on a story by him and Anna Fricke; Larry Teng is directing. Fahey, Teng and Padalecki serve as producers along with Fricke and Laura Terry through their Bear Chased banner along with Rideback’s Dan Lin and Lindsey Liberatore. CBS Studios is the studio behind Walker and Walker Independence.

Actress-singer McNamara played Mia Smoak (aka Blackstar) on The CW series Arrow, beginning with a recurring role in season 7 before being promoted to series regular in the eighth and final season. She is also known for her role as Clary Fray on Freeform’s Shadowhunters.

Next McNamara will appear in the comedy “El Tonto” with Kate Beckinsale and Jason Sudeikis. She will also be the voice of Kat in The Adventures of Bunny Bravo. She was recently seen in the comedy horror film The Untitled Horror Movie, as well as the films Looking for You with Vanessa Redgrave and The Trust with Victoria Justice.

McNamara is represented by Atlas Artists, WME and Jackoway Tyerman.

UPDATE: McNamara posted a Deadline story with reactions to her casting.