The remake of Chuck Norris' long-running action crime series Walker, Texas Ranger has now entered its third season this month, with Padelecki speaking about how things get real bad for Cordell Walker. In Jared Padelecki's more introspective take on the character, the titular protagonist of Walker not only must deal with his legal tussles but also his tumultuous family affairs.
Such a humanized characterization of Cordell is bound to resonate with fans of new-age legal thrillers, such as Justified or Banshee. As Walker succeeds as a drastically-different reboot of its source material, several other popular reinterpretations of established franchises (Perry Mason, The Equalizer, Hawaii Five-0) would similarly engage viewers.
Justified (2010-2015)
Stream On Hulu
Timothy Olyphant stars as a quiet and morally righteous U.S. Marshall who is transferred from Miami to his rural Kentucky hometown. As he deals with new challenges in the region, he must question his own morals in delivering his personal brand of justice.
In Justified, Olyphant gives it all to his role in capturing not only the character's duties as a Marshall but also his haunting past. Such aspects would remind viewers of Walker as the Texas Ranger himself battles his grief over his wife's death and the trauma encountered during his two-year-long undercover stint (before he was transferred to Austin, his native town).
Dark Winds (2022-)
Stream On Prime Video
Joe Leaphorn and his deputy Jim Chee are two Navajo police officers who investigate a double murder case in the 1970s. What seems like just a criminal case soon involves such mysteries that the two officers also begin questioning their own spiritual beliefs and inner demons.
With just a season so far, the series has already managed to draw rave reviews, especially for Zahn McClarnon and Kiowa Gordon's lead performances. So, if viewers need an ongoing law enforcement-centric mystery at par with Walker, Dark Winds would make for a great streaming option.
Perry Mason (2020)
Stream On HBO
In the origin story of the famous defense lawyer Perry Mason, Matthew Rhys stars as the titular character who starts off as a private investigator at the height of the Great Depression. Working-class America struggles and so does Mason as he tries to get over the trauma from his time during World War I and a recent divorce.
Created by Erle Stanley Gardener for his short stories, Perry Mason's character has undergone various transitions in pop culture. But in the same vein as Padelecki in Walker, Rhys' take gives equal importance to the character's personal tragedy as well as his professional brilliance.
Hawaii Five-0 (2010-2020)
Stream On Paramount Plus
In Hawaii Five-0, A former Navy SEAL returns to his Hawaii home to solve his father's murder. In his pursuit of justice, the Governor requests him to form a special crimes division in the island state.
As iconic as its original, Hawaii Five-0 is definitely one of the top rebooted shows in present-day television. So, if Walker's realistic approach gets too deep, viewers can take a good break watching the comparatively light-hearted and melodramatic approach of this decade-long remake.
Longmire (2012-2017)
Stream On Netflix
In typical Western fashion, Longmire deals with a Sheriff burdened with the responsibility of the badge and his tragic past. But Walt Longmire isn't alone as the show doesn't brand him as a one-man army. Together with his deputies and even his daughter, Longmire gives his very best to bring peace and justice to his Wyoming County.
As one of the best A&E shows, Longmire includes several familiar genre clichés (and even manages to subvert a few of them), but it makes for a good watch for those who need heroic yet slightly realistic neo-Westerns, such as Walker.
Banshee (2013-2016)
Stream On HBO Max
Before Anthony Starr became Homelander in The Boys, he was an ex-con-turned-Sheriff in Banshee. Set in the sleepy Pennsylvanian town of Banshee, the show finds Starr's Lucas Hood taking the identity of a murdered Sheriff. But as he sets out to finish his criminal business in the town, his illegal activities and newfound responsibilities test his moral compass.
Even though Hood might not be outright righteous like Walker, the grey areas and overall ambiguity make him a character worth looking at in the context of crime thrillers in quaint settings.
Yellowstone (2018-)
Stream On Peacock Premium & Paramount+
Facing encroachers, private businessmen, and other parties, the Dutton family tries their best to hold strong to their Montana ranch. Despite the wildest things in Yellowstone, they won't lose their grip if it means having to think two steps forward with alliances and politics.
While the stakes of Yellowstone's characters are different from that of Walker, the show's general cowboy-toting, ranch-rearing aesthetic makes it comparable to a well-written, neo-Western. Kevin Costner's protagonist, the family patriarch John Dutton, also displays similar protective tendencies towards his family whom he couldn't see during his undercover years.
The Equalizer (2021-)
Stream On Paramount Plus
Stepping into the shoes of Edward Woodward (and later Denzel Washington in the movies), Queen Latifah plays Robyn McCall, a single mom by day and "The Equalizer" by night. A former CIA operative, McCall uses her skills to become a street vigilante and dispense justice.
A remake of the 1980s series starring Woodward, The Equalizer shows how classic TV series can be reinterpreted without ruining the sanctity of the original. In this sense, Walker and The Equalizer and similar reboots are reminiscent of changing trends in modern television.
Deputy (2020)
Stream On Prime Video
When an LA County Sheriff dies due to a heart attack, his Deputy Sergeant assumes charge. Believing that he can restore justice and honor among his officers through his rebellious, offbeat methods of leadership, the now-Sheriff Bill Hollister sets out to make his mark.
Even though Deputy was canceled only after one season, it is an interesting take on local law enforcement and to what extent can one's personal beliefs in justice clash with their state-assigned duties - the same conflict present in Walker.
Being Human (2011-2014)
Stream On AMC+ Amazon Channel
The British supernatural comedy Being Human pits a werewolf, a vampire, and a ghost living together as roommates, and the viewers follow their journey of self-discovery as the trio explores the complicated nature of their double lives.
While the show is thematically not even close to Walker, both share the same creator and showrunner Anna Fricke. After watching Walker, interest is bound to be generated around its lead actor who is already a well-established star, thanks to Supernatural. As for those who wish to know more about Fricke's work, they can witness her versatility with a previous show like Being Human.