Deadline is reporting that The CW’s upcoming reboot of Walker, Texas Ranger has cast The Gifted alum Coby Bell.
Based on the 1993-2001 Chuck Norris series, with Anna Fricke (Being Human) adapting, Walker follows widower Cordell Walker (Jared Padalecki) as he returns home after being undercover for two years. The transition back into everyday life proves tougher than he imagined, though, with Cordell needing to reconnect with his two children, navigate culture clashes with his conservative family, and find common ground with his new partner (Lindsey Morgan). The series will also chronicle Cordell’s growing suspicions about the circumstances surrounding his wife’s untimely death.
Bell will portray Texas Ranger Captain Larry James, a confident, wryly funny trailblazer who’s the only African American man in the Austin headquarters and one of only a few in the entire Ranger division.
Walker is one of two straight-to-series orders given by The CW for 2020-21, joining Arrow-verse entry Superman & Lois. The network also has backdoor pilots that would spinoff Arrow and The 100 if ordered, as well as traditional pilots including political drama Maverick, CBS castoff The Republic of Sarah, martial arts saga Kung Fu, and their third attempt at The Lost Boys.
In addition to his role on the FOX drama, Bell’s television credits include The Game, Burn Notice, and SEAL Team.