About damn time! A&E has released the first promotional video for LONGMIRE, the series based on the work of Craig Johnson.
Widowed only a year, Sheriff Walt Longmire (Robert Taylor) is man in psychic repair that buries his pain behind a brave face and dry wit. Struggling since his wife’s death and at the urging of his daughter, Cady (Cassidy Freeman), Longmire knows that the time has come to turn his life around. With the help of Vic (Katee Sackhoff), a female deputy new to the department, he becomes reinvigorated about his job and committed to running for re-election. When Branch (Bailey Chase), an ambitious, young deputy decides to run against him for sheriff, Longmire feels betrayed but remains steadfast in his dedication to the community. Longmire often turns to close friend and confidant Henry Standing Bear (Lou Diamond Phillips) for support as he sets out to rebuild both his personal and professional life, one step at a time.
The clip has a western look and feel. From the looks of it, it will take advantage of the landscapes of Wyoming. I have no idea how much, if any, is actually being filmed there, but this clip makes a point of emphasizing the Wyoming terrain. Chris Latray mentioned filming in New Mexico and, after looking around online, that appears to be correct.
Craig is very happy with both the casting and the final copy of the pilot. In talking about Taylor, he said: “The casting directors and producers sent me DVD’s of the auditions and I would watch them, and then send feedback. There were a lot of bigger names and people even I recognized, but there was this one actor, an Aussie by the name of Robert Taylor who I thought captured the role. I’m pretty sure A&E wanted a ‘name’, but there were also concerns about casting an actor that was ‘branded’ by another role. To be honest, I never thought they’d find somebody that I wouldn’t find some exception to, but they have. He’s a big, six-foot-three guy with a gentle demeanor and you can see the wheels turning when he thinks. My wife calls him the TV version of me; you know—better looking, taller, and with a great voice.”

LONGMIRE debuts, on A&E, on June 3rd.