Walker Independence’s Mark Sheppard Was Instructed To Channel P.T. Barnum And Sir Richard Burton Into Hagan – Exclusive

On whether any characters or historical figures helped inspire Sheppard’s take on Hagan’s showmanship qualities, he said, “Seamus gave me a great note. Seamus Fahey and I worked together on ‘Battlestar [Galactica]’ back in the day. He’s a wonderful writer, and I love him dearly. He’s [an] amazingly smart man,” Sheppard explained. “He said, ‘It’s pretty much P.T. Barnum meets Sir Richard Burton.’ I’m like, ‘Whoa, that’s a hell of a … ‘ Aim a little high there, son.” Of course, Sheppard pulled it off and then some.

Even though Hagan has deep roots in the town, he’s willing to give it all up to save Kate. “The truth is, Hagan is a founding father of the town of Independence, and Independence is nothing. It’s nowhere. It’s post-Alamo — [the] early foundation of Texas’ independence. He’s building this brick-and-mortar thing,” he added. “He’s a man who loves theater, and he’s a man who loves art. The thing about Kate and Hagan is that Kate is very much Hagan’s conscience and constantly helps steer Hagan into not doing the wrong thing.”

While it seems like Hagan will have to find his own moral compass without Kate, changes are brewing in Independence, and Hagan’s characterization is a strong indication of the time. Sheppard noted, “The railroad’s coming, all these things are changing, all these people’s stories are starting to converge in this little town.”