Cordell Walker and his friends were rocked when his Texas Ranger partner Micki Ramirez decided to leave the force and Austin behind in the middle of Walker Season 2. Her character's absence was acutely felt until Cassie Perez stepped up to become Walker's new partner and fellow Ranger. Cassie challenges him in ways that he never anticipated and yet sorely needs. Portrayed by Ashley Reyes, Cassie comes to Austin initially looking to deliver justice on her own terms. She is investigating a case linked to an incident in her past, putting her on a collision course directly with Walker.
In an exclusive interview with CBR, Reyes revealed how she landed the role as Walker's latest Texas Ranger. She detailed her on-screen chemistry with co-star Jared Padalecki and teased what fans can expect from Walker and Cordell's friendly friction as they work together defending the Lone Star State.
CBR: Ashley, how did the chance to join Walker as Cassie Perez, a Texas Ranger and Cordell's new partner, come about?
Ashley Reyes: I wasn't going to have an audition originally... I'm very small! I'm 5' 2", and Jared Padalecki is very tall. I think, for this role, they were looking at people who were taller. I got an email saying they were looking at casting for this role and they'd see if they could get me an audition, so I should look at it to see if I was interested in it. I looked at the dummy sides they sent me and the character description and was like, "Hell yeah, I want to do this!" I put down a self-tape. It made its rounds and I had to tape again.
I started getting feedback from it and had to do a director's session with Steve Robin and [showrunner] Anna Fricke. They were amazing and thought I was funny, which is always nice. [laughs] I did my chemistry read with Jared. At the time, I thought it was only two episodes and thought it was awesome I was doing a chemistry read for the studio and network. I get a phone call saying that I got it and I thought it was amazing that I would get to be in Austin for a little while, for those two episodes. Jared Padalecki FaceTimes me and says, "Welcome to the show, partner!" I started to think I was on here for more than two episodes. [Then I] got the first script and it said [I was his] partner at the end of it. I went, "Holy crap, this is my life now!"
Was there any specific line or description in the character breakdown that helped inform your performance as Cassie?
The dummy sides were of me pulling over someone, pretty much talking like the TV show Cops. I'm arresting this person and talking so fast that they can't understand what I'm saying. I end up incriminating myself and talking about food at the end of it. I was like, "This is my part!" I talk so fast people can't understand me. [I] make weird jokes and love food -- this is me! [laughs]
How was it finding that chemistry with Jared, playing off each other in scenes and in that chemistry read?
From my end, I knew it was going to be a good fit the second we were on our Zoom chemistry read. The two of us, for some reason, just got each other. We were able to pick on each other as soon as we picked up the phone. Anytime he made fun of me, I'd throw it right back at him. We were just able to go toe-to-toe in our personal chats even before I got the job. I think that translates to what we have on-screen now. We're just able to banter with each other really well.
Mediating and facilitating Walker and Cassie's professional partnership is Captain Larry James. How is it working with Coby Bell in that supervisory role?
Coby's a special person and actor. He's so funny on- and off-screen and able to pick up on everything. The first scene that we shot was the scene where we were in the [Texas Ranger] bullpen in his office. Walker and I aren't getting along, with James trying to convince us to get along. He was so in-tune to everything both of us were doing that he knew how to say these lines in a way that made us realize it was a good idea for us to be partners.
It's clear that Cassie is coming to Austin for a reason and has an unrevealed history. How much did Anna let you know about your character's backstory as you were taking on the role?
Honestly, not too much. She gave me an overarching backstory and sent me an essay she had written, which is amazing. It said where she had been before now. She's an illegitimate bounty hunter. She's riled [and] rides motorcycles. She's dating [and] likes to drink and have fun. That's what she had given me -- a whole character essay, but she didn't give me too much about where the story was going. I'm kind of glad because every week [that] we get a new script, I'm excited to see where it goes next.
You mentioned Steven Robin. He's not just a big part of the production, he also directed your debut on the show.
He is such a wonderful director and kind person. He's very encouraging. From day one, he kind of said, "Do what you do. I don't want to get in your way too much. I'll tape it but do your thing." He appreciated the jokes I threw in and the things I'd say that were meant to be serious but I'd then throw in a joke. He's someone who really trusts actors and the group of people he put together.
Cassie challenges Walker both in his professional and personal life. To invert that, how does Walker challenge Cassie?
What Walker wants for Cassie is for her to acknowledge her instincts and be who she's meant to be without being a bit of a mess. [laughs] He almost looks up to her in a way, in that she can see things clearly and he can't. He wants her to have more of a life for herself because she is that wise and all of these wonderful things but she doesn't allow herself to have a life.
The Walker cast and crew really feels like a family, even off set. How was it coming on to the show and joining them?
From even before I got here... I had a welcome week before the winter hiatus. I got to meet a lot of people and, from day one, everyone was so welcoming [and] kind. [They] understood the position that I was coming into, in the middle of the second season after they had already established rapport with each other. The crew all had a relationship. They welcomed me like family from day one and I'm not just saying that. I'm happy to go to work every single day because of how much I love this cast and crew.
Your debut has plenty of hi-octane action and hard-hitting fights. How was it leaning into that side of your performance?
I love doing all of that stuff. When they found out I love doing that stuff, they kind of ran with it. I had been doing training for my first episode. [I had been training] for the week leading up to the filming of the episode for the fight scene. Everything I didn't do, I have an amazing stunt double named Kimmy. She asks me what I'm comfortable doing, but I like to do pretty much everything myself. I spent a week doing some martial arts basics preparing for that fight, figuring out a fight that would not only look cool but be technically accurate. I really liked doing all that stuff. They have me doing horseback riding lessons and a bit of boxing so you'll see more of that throughout the season.
This has been a big year for you, coming out the gate with How I Met Your Father and Walker. How has it been kicking off the year with these big swings?
It's completely surreal. I could cry just thinking about it because I don't think it's sunk in yet that this week I have two shows on TV. I couldn't picture that in my wildest dreams growing up. To be on two shows that I love and believe in is complete madness. It definitely hasn't all hit me yet! [laughs]
Developed for television by Anna Fricke, Walker airs Thursdays at 8pm ET/PT on The CW.