It's a good news, bad news kind of day at The CW.
Starting on the bright side, the network has issued series orders for a new DC series Gotham Knights (which is not a spinoff to the now-canceled Batwoman), a Supernatural prequel series The Winchesters, and a Walker prequel series Walker: Independence.
These were the only three pilots the network ordered this season and it looks like all three were impressive enough to warrant series orders.
In a fun bit of connective tissue, all three new shows have direct ties to The CW's most successful drama series Supernatural, as Jensen Ackles (Dean Winchester) is executive producing and providing narration for The Winchesters, Jared Padalecki (Sam Winchester) is executive producing Walker: Independence while starring on the flagship series, and Misha Collins (Castiel) is starring on Gotham Knights as Harvey Dent.
On the not-so-bright side of things, The CW canceled seven shows today, including Naomi, Legacies, Charmed, Dynasty, Roswell New Mexico, In the Dark, and The 4400. No word on Stargirl, but with its third season set to launch this summer, its fate will likely be determined sometime later in the year.
Former THR editor and Puck founder Matthew Belloni added some more context on the cancelations in his latest newsletter, which may spell doom for the future of DC content on the network. He says, "Today’s cancellation of seven series is the beginning of the end, I’m afraid. The Warner-CBS joint venture is being sold to Nexstar, which will likely turn it into a broadcast version of NewsNation and milk it for carriage fees and political ads. Not much room for scripted shows there."
Here are the synopses for all three shows:
Gotham Knights is set "In the wake of Bruce Wayne's murder, his rebellious adopted son forges an unlikely alliance with the children of Batman's enemies when they are all framed for killing the Caped Crusader. And as the city's most wanted criminals, this renegade band of misfits must fight to clear their names. But in a Gotham with no Dark Knight to protect it, the city descends into the most dangerous it's ever been. However, hope comes from the most unexpected of places as this team of mismatched fugitives will become its next generation of saviors known as the Gotham Knights." Chad Fiveash, James Stoteraux, Greg Berlanti, Sarah Schechter, David Madden and director Danny Cannon executive produce for Warner Bros. Television with Natalie Abrams as a co-executive producer. Anna Lore, Fallon Smythe, Misha Collins, Navia Robinson, Olivia Rose Keegan, Oscar Morgan, Rahart Adams and Tyler DiChiara star.
"Walker" prequel "Independence" is "set in the late 1800s. It follows Abby Walker (Katherine McNamara), an affluent Bostonian whose husband is murdered before her eyes while on their journey out West. On her quest for revenge, Abby crosses paths with Hoyt Rawlins (Matt Barr), a lovable rogue in search of purpose. Abby and Hoyt’s journey takes them to Independence, Texas, where they encounter diverse, eclectic residents running from their own troubled pasts and chasing their dreams, all while becoming agents of change themselves in the small town." Seamus Kevin Fahey, Jared Padalecki, Anna Fricke, Dan Lin, Lindsey Liberatore and director Larry Teng executive produce for CBS Studios. Also starring are Gabriela Quezada, Greg Hovanessian, Justin Johnson Cortez, Katie Findlay and Lawrence Kao.
The "Supernatural" prequel "The Winchesters" is "the epic, untold love story of how John (Drake Rodger) met Mary (Meg Donnelly) and how they put it all on the line to not only save their love, but the entire world." Robbie Thompson, Jensen Ackles, Danneel Ackles and director Glen Winter are the executive producers for Warner Bros. Television and CBS Studios. Bianca Kajlich, Demetria McKinney, Jojo Fleites and Nida Khurshid also star while Jensen Ackles narrates as Dean Winchester.