Though the first season of Walker is still just a couple of episodes in on The CW, the series, a reboot of Walker, Texas Ranger, has been renewed to return for a second season. In addition, its current season is set to be lengthened.

The CW Network's Chairman and CEO Mark Pedowitz made an announcement regarding the show's return. "Though we’re just a few weeks into the new season, we wanted to get a strategic head start on next season with these early renewals, which allows our production teams to start laying out story arcs and hiring staff, and at the same time, continues to provide us with a strong, stable schedule to build on for next season," he said.

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While the first season originally was planned for a run of 13 episodes, five more episodes have now been ordered to bring the total up to 18. Another of the network's new shows, Superman & Lois, will also be extended. "As The CW’s 2020-2021 season kicks into high gear, we are thrilled creatively with the direction of our first new shows out of the gate, Walker and Superman & Lois, that we wanted to order the additional episodes to complete their first seasons," said Pedowitz, adding that "we are particularly pleased with the huge success of the launch of Walker, which debuted as our most watched series premiere in 5 years."

Walker is a procedural action drama based on the 1990 series starring Chuck Norris. The reboot stars Jared Padalecki, fresh from his 15-year tenure on the massively successful urban fantasy Supernatural, as the titular Texas Ranger who is readjusting to his life at home after losing his wife and serving undercover for two years.

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Although early critical reception for Walker was lukewarm, the show's legacy and star power seems to have brought in solid viewership, and the lengthening of the first season suggests that the cast and crew are planning for complex story arcs that reward audience investment.

The latest synopsis for the show's upcoming fifth episode is as follows:

WALKER’S PAST COMES BACK TO HAUNT HIM – When his past unexpectedly collides with his present life, Walker (Jared Padalecki) is forced to resume his undercover identity to keep his family safe. Micki (Lindsey Morgan) gets caught up in Walker’s old case while August (Kale Culley) threatens to blow his father’s cover. Trey (Jeff Pierre) starts his new job. The episode was written by Bret VandenBos & Brandon Willer and directed by Steve Robin (#105). Original airdate 2/18/2021.

Walker stars Jared Padalecki, Lindsey Morgan, Keegan Allen, Mitch Pileggi, Molly Hagan and Coby Bell. New episodes air Thursdays at 8 p.m. ET/PT on The CW.

KEEP READING: Walker Is Going to Force Padalecki's Ranger Back Undercover

Source: TheCW