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These are official production notes that were included in TYR press kits released by ABC. Please do not use any information from this page without first asking me. Thanks!
Entering its third season, the multiple Emmy and award-winning MGM Television Western series The Young Riders returns in a new time slot on Saturdays at 9:00 p.m. (EST) on ABC. This year brings a new production team, cast changes and a new fictional locale. Currently the only Western series on television, The Young Riders will feature bold new storylines filled with fresh and provocative angles, and will focus on the romantic as well as political topics which faced the real Pony Express riders in the early 1860s. The Young Riders third season opens in 1861 – a turbulent year of violence and dissent for the adolescent United States as the first shot of the Civil War was fired in Fort Sumter, S.C. Teaspoon Hunter (series star Anthony Zerbe) has been reassigned as marshal of Rock Creek, Neb., where free-staters have armed themselves against slavers in the fight over the right to own slaves. Bringing the riders with him, they will attempt to maintain order in this discordant territory. The Riders find adventure in this new town, confronting situations which are both enjoyable and difficult. However, eventually they acclimate to their new surroundings and to the inevitable changes within their close-knit group. Joining The Young Riders this season will be Christopher Pettiet ("Point Break"), who plays 14-year old Jesse James, a rebellious youngster and troublemaker who is taken in by the Riders and Teaspoon to help around the waystation. Pettiet recently guest-starred as a young murder suspect in the Emmy-winning "L.A. Law," and has appeared in such series as "Doogie Howser," "Empty Nest," "Lifestories" and "Star Trek: The Next Generation." He has also co-starred in the television movies "Fatal Exposure," "Dreamer of Oz" starring John Ritter, and "An Enemy of the People." Scott Shepherd joins The Young Riders as executive producer from the CBS series "Over My Dead Body" for Universal Television, where he served as supervising producer. His additional supervising producer credits include the NBC series "Quantum Leap" and "Miami Vice," and the CBS series "The Equalizer," all for Universal Television. Shepherd also produced the CBS pilot "Hearts and Souls" and the ABC pilot "The Best of Enemies" also for Universal Television. "The stories this season will be emotionally rooted and filled with romance, while continuing to maintain historical accuracy," says Shepherd. "It was an amazing time, as no one knew that war was really looming in the not-so-distant future, and people were forced to confront volatile issues: slavery, territoriality, vigilantism and outlaw violence. Another new addition to The Young Riders production team is James Keach, who will serve as producer along with Ray Hartung and Steve Baum. An accomplished director, writer, actor and producer, Keach directed several episodes of The Young Riders during the 1990-91 season, and will direct additional episodes during the 1991-92 season. Keach served as executive producer and writer of the acclaimed Western drama "The Long Riders" for United Artists, which starred his brother actor Stacey Keach. He produced and wrote the films "Single" and "The Experts" for Paramount Pictures, as well as "Armed and Dangerous" for Columbia Pictures. The Young Riders cast : Stephen Baldwin plays William (Buffalo Bill) Cody, a good-natured young man, who, despite his comical and carefree exterior, is cunning, competent and possesses an uncanny marksman’s eye. Cody is quick to pull a joke on his fellow Riders and is the first to come to the rescue in times of need. Josh Brolin plays James Butler (Wild Bill) Hickok, the fearless, iron-willed and dangerous "bad boy," who is fast becoming one of the most feared gunmen in the west. He is unpredictable but loyal and likeable. Travis Fine plays Ike McSwain, a gentle natured youth who became mute after witnessing the brutal deaths of his parents. Communicating only in sign, Ike is befriended by all the riders, but is closest to Buck who, like Ike, is considered "different" because of his background. Don Franklin portrays Noah Dixon, a free-born black man who is appalled by the racial prejudice surrounding them even in Nebraska territory. Noah has never forgotten that his parents were killed defending their right to keep the land they owned, and Noah himself feels the need to stand against injustice wherever he sees it. Ty Miller plays The Kid, a brave, kindhearted, moralistic young orphan with a natural ability for leadership. The Kid is still confused by his occasional feelings of jealousy, the aftermath of his year-long relationship with Lou. But while the two are no longer involved, they remain the best of friends. Christopher Pettiet plays young Jesse James, a rebellious 14-year old boy who will someday become one of the West's most notorious outlaws. But Jesse is still young and impressionable, and finds the world of the riders to be filled with both companionship and adventure. Gregg Rainwater plays Buck Cross, a skillful and mystical half-breed Kiowa Indian who struggles to find out where he belongs. Caught between two cultures, Buck has fortunately found a new home among the riders. Insightful, alert and wise-beyond-his-years, Buck should never be underestimated. Yvonne Suhor plays Lou McCloud, a tough and determined young woman who masquerades as a young man so that she can belong to the Pony Express. The gutsy Lou is an expert horseperson who can hold her own with the Riders. But she is still a woman, who still feels emotional pangs at the loss of her relationship with The Kid. Clare Wren portrays Rachel Dunn, the beautiful and mysterious house mother to the riders. Hired by Teaspoon, the arrival of the earthy, yet calculating Rachel immediately piqued the interest of the boys at the waystation. Anthony Zerbe plays Teaspoon Hunter, the waystation manager and newly appointed town marshal of Rock Creek, Neb. He’s a wise, self-educated man with a highly eccentric view of life. He’s experienced a lot in life and he delights in sharing those experiences with his young charges. The Young Riders is executive produced by Scott Shepherd. Ray Hartung, Steve Baum and James Keach are the producers. Charles Grant Craig is the co-producer. The series is an Ogiens/Kane Company Production in association with MGM/UA Television Production Group, a division of MGM-Pathe Communications Co.
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