Big Sky: Deadly Trails boss Elwood Reid has praised Jensen Ackles as he steps back into the dusty boots of Sheriff Beau Arlen.
Season 3 of the crime drama follows Katheryn Winnick's cop Jenny Hoyt, Kylie Bunbury's private investigator Cassie Dewell, and Arlen, as they attempt to unravel the case of a missing backpacker.
Previewing the action, Reid told Entertainment Weekly: "We are also doing little runner mysteries, case-of-the-week formatting, in addition to our big mystery. One of the biggest reasons we're doing that is we've Jensen Ackles.
What to Read Next
Related: Big Sky boss confirms one character will have a reduced role in season 3
"He's an amazing asset and we wanted him and Jenny Hoyt to get out there and be solving cases the week of, and also, get involved in a big mystery for the season."
Ackles was last seen on the small screen as Soldier Boy in Prime Video's dark superhero series The Boys, and the showrunner was asked how his casting originally came about.
"Jensen is one of those guys that I've always wanted to work with. He's one of those guys that I've always loved. He's someone my daughter and my wife likes, and a lot of guys like. There's not a lot of people out there that tick all those boxes. And I'd heard nothing but raving from people who worked with him – what an amazing guy he was, what a professional he was.
"Mutual friends put us in touch. He's from Texas. So, I pitched this Texas-type character that finds himself up in Montana. I can't say enough good things about him. He walks on the set and it changes."
Related: Big Sky reveals surprise change ahead of season 3 launch
Reid also teased how Arlen's personal life will be "built out" this time around.
"We're going to meet his wife, his daughter, and the guy that his wife Mary [is with now], who's a rich guy played by Henry Cusick from Lost," he added.
"His daughter's up there on the glamping trip too, as the mystery pops off. It's going to pull Beau in personally, and dealing with his wife, we're going to learn why their marriage imploded. Why did she leave him for this other guy?"
Big Sky season 3 premieres on ABC on today (September 21), while a UK release date on Disney+ is yet to be announced.
Best Entertainment and Tech Deals
Coronation Street X Joanie - Gilroy Retro Newton And Ridley Sweatshirt
Reporter, Digital Spy
Dan is a freelance entertainment journalist. Beginning his writing career in 2014, Dan's work first graced the pages of cult publications Starburst magazine and Little White Lies before moving onto Total Film, Digital Spy, NME and Yahoo Entertainment.
In the film and TV universe, he kneels at the altar of Jim Carrey, Daniel Plainview, Mike Ehrmantraut and Paulie Walnuts.
