The series began as a part of
Warner Bros. Presents, a "
wheel program" rotating three different series. In its first year,
Cheyenne traded broadcast weeks with
Casablanca and
Kings Row. Thereafter,
Cheyenne was overhauled by new producer
Roy Huggins and left the umbrella of that wheel.
Cheyenne ran from 1955 to 1962, except for a hiatus when Walker went on strike for better terms (1958–1959); among other demands, the actor wanted increased
residuals, a reduction of the 50% cut of personal appearance payments that had to be turned over to Warner Bros., and a release from the restriction of recording music only for the company's own label. The interim had the introduction of a virtual Bodie-clone called Bronco Layne, played by
Ty Hardin, born in New York City, but raised in
Texas. Hardin was featured as the quasi-main character during Bodie's absence. When Warner Bros. renegotiated Walker's contract and the actor returned to the show in 1959,
Bronco was spun off. Even after returning to the program – having been prohibited from seeking other work during the long contract negotiation – Walker was unhappy to continue to play a role which he felt he had already exhausted. He told reporters that he felt like "a caged animal." ==Episodes==