The recent cancellation of The CW’s popular reboot “Walker” has left fans with more questions than answers, particularly regarding the surprise appearance of James Van Der Beek in the season four finale. In a revealing interview with TVLine, showrunner Anne Fricke has now shed light on what could have been a compelling storyline for the show’s fifth season.
Van Der Beek, introduced in the final episode as Walker’s new neighbor, was set to take on the role of a “kooky” cult leader in the upcoming season. This unexpected turn for the “Dawson’s Creek” alum would have showcased a different side of his acting range, blending comedy with a touch of villainy.
“We were going to do the cult next door,” Fricke explained. “He was going to be a really whimsical, amusing character. We were not going to do blood cult, bad, bad, bad cult. We were going to do like kooky cult.”
The idea to bring Van Der Beek into the “Walker” universe had been brewing since the actor relocated to Austin, Texas, where the show is set. Fricke, who worked with Van Der Beek on “Dawson’s Creek,” saw this as a perfect opportunity for a reunion.
“Ever since James Van Der Beek moved to Austin, we’ve been like, ‘How do we get him into the show? What can we do?'” Fricke said. She also revealed that Van Der Beek had been considered for a villainous role in the show’s first season, which ultimately went to Austin Nichols.
The potential pairing of Van Der Beek with series star Jared Padalecki held a special significance for Fricke. Both actors are alumni of The WB network, with Padalecki known for his roles in “Gilmore Girls” and “Supernatural.” Fricke saw this as a “profound” nod to the original WB, evoking nostalgia and highlighting the network’s evolution.
“Part of me wanted to leave people mad,” Fricke admitted, discussing the finale. “Part of me wanted to have like a big, splashy ending, so then people would be like, ‘How could you end this?!'”
Van Der Beek, according to Fricke, was enthusiastic about the role and the character’s potential. “He was super into it and super into the dynamic he would bring, and he was really into the idea of playing a fun character, an interesting character, a bad character,” she said.
While fans won’t get to see this intriguing storyline unfold, they can still revisit the existing four seasons of “Walker” on The CW and Max. The show’s cancellation, part of a cost-cutting move by the network, has left both creators and viewers wondering about the paths not taken in this modern reimagining of the classic “Walker, Texas Ranger” series.
As for Van Der Beek, audiences can look forward to seeing him in the upcoming Tubi original “Sidelined: The QB and Me,” where he’ll hopefully get to showcase some of the comedic talents that might have been on display in his “Walker” role.
