‘Walker’: Jared Padalecki Reveals the ‘Parallel’ Between Him and Cordell Walker That ‘Feels Very Real’

Jared Padalecki is the star of Walker, a reboot of Walker, Texas Ranger. A take on the original ‘90s TV show starring Chuck Norris, Padalecki says his character’s life is similar to his own in one major way.

Jared Padalecki is Cordell Walker on ‘Walker’

Walker is Padalecki’s first role since Supernatural. The 38-year-old actor said goodbye to Sam Winchester, the character he spent 15 years playing, in 2020. Now, instead of a man fighting evil with his brother, he’s portraying a Texas Ranger. Padalecki is playing a reimagined version of Cordell Walker, a role originally played by Norris.

Padalecki’s Cordell is a widower and father of two who returns home after two years of working undercover. Upon his arrival in Austin, Texas, he tries to reconnect with his son and daughter. But it’s no easy task.

There’s also Cordell’s brother and parents, who have dealt with his absence in their own ways. Aside from his complicated relationships with his family, Cordell’s dealing with the puzzling circumstances surrounding the death of his wife. 

Jared Padalecki had to figure out where he ‘fit’ at home

Padalecki shared with Entertainment Weekly in January 2021 how he could relate to Cordell. Namely, the way his character went home after being away for work. 

“What drives him is trying to figure out how to exist as a father after having lost his partner, who was doing all the heavy lifting at home, and still having a job that demands a lot,” Padalecki said of Cordell. 

He continued, saying he “was going through” something similar during Supernatural. 

“I’d get home from Vancouver and Gen [Padalecki’s wife, Genevieve Padalecki] had been with the kids for two weeks sometimes and I was like, ‘Where do I fit here because, I gotta fly back to Vancouver in 24 hours to film for another two weeks?’” he said. 

“So I’m trying to do the best I can, but my kids are used to my wife. The parallel feels very real,” he added. 

Padalecki and his wife are parents to three children; Odette, Thomas, and Austin.

‘Walker’ films where Jared Padalecki lives

Gone are the days of Padalecki being on location far away from home. After Supernatural wrapped, he thought about taking a break from acting. The Gilmore Girls alum reconsidered before deciding if he were to be in front of the camera again, filming would have to be done in Austin, Texas, where he and his family reside. 

“If I wanted to film anywhere other than Austin, where my family is, then I would’ve stayed on Supernatural,” he said. “The primary reason that Jensen [Ackles] and I both decided to let Supernatural rest, at least for now, was that our wives and kids lived in a different country and we’d see them four days a month sometimes.” 

Now, Padalecki can live at home while filming Walker and spend more time with his family. 

Watch Walker Thursdays at 8 p.m. EST on The CW.