For decades, the Western genre has captivated audiences worldwide by introducing unforgettable, courageous heroes, gritty storylines, and plenty of action and adventure, making it a must-see for viewers. While icons like Clint Eastwood and John Wayne have become synonymous with Westerns on the silver screen and appeared in acclaimed hits like The Good, the Bad and the Ugly and True Grit, the world of television is also no stranger to iconic shows that took the industry by storm.
Groundbreaking classics like Bonanza, The Lone Ranger, and Gunsmoke are just a few of the lauded programs that left an everlasting mark on the exciting genre, which continues to be popular to this day with hit shows like Deadwood, Outer Range, and Yellowstone, proving that Westerns aren’t going anywhere and still have a prominent place in Hollywood. Let’s take a look at 10 of the best Western series fans can check out on Prime.
10
‘Outer Range’ (2022 – 2024)
Featuring a decorated ensemble cast led by Josh Brolin, Imogen Poots, Lili Taylor, and Tom Pelphrey, the 2022 sci-fi neo-Western Outer Range centers on Wyoming rancher and family man Royal Abbott (Brolin) as he fights to keep his beloved land out of the hands of enemies, including the rival clan the Tillersons, who want to take over the property. When Royal discovers a strange black void lurking in his pasture, he unravels a perplexing mystery that coincides with the arrival of an enigmatic drifter and the disappearance of his daughter-in-law.
A brilliant blend of sci-fi and the Western genre, the first season of Outer Range was declared “one of the boldest, weirdest, and most affecting sci-fi shows of the 21st century” by Inverse magazine, with the performances of Brolin and Poots being singled out by critics as well as its wonderfully bizarre premise. Range’s second season fared even better with the masses than its predecessor, garnering a 92% Rotten Tomatoes score. The series kept audiences on the edge of their seats for two seasons as Royal explored the complex mystery and unexplainable occurrences.
9
Hell on Wheels (2011 – 2016)
In the 2011 smash hit AMC original series Hell on Wheels, former Confederate soldier Cullen Bohannon (Anson Mount) sets out on a mission for revenge after his beloved wife and son are viciously murdered by Union soldiers during the American Civil War, prompting the devastated man to infiltrate the railroad to identify those responsible for the brutal crimes. Bohannon discovers that he actually enjoys life as a “railroad man” and begins serving as the foreman for the Transcontinental Railroad, facing countless hurdles and obstacles.
Hell on Wheels focuses on Bohannon as he closes in on the men responsible for the tragic deaths of his loved ones, getting his hands dirty in his pursuit of retribution and vengeance. Plagued by the horrors he witnessed on the battlefield and struggling to forge a new identity for himself, Bohannon finds a sense of purpose working in the ungoverned, wild melting pot known as “Hell on Wheels.” The popular series ran for five seasons. Prime Video currently has only the first season of the five-season series.
8
The Rifleman (1958 – 1963)
A trailblazing Western series of the twentieth century, 1958’s The Rifleman stars Chuck Connors as Union Army veteran, rancher, and widower Lucas McCain, who returns to his life as a homesteader and purchases a ranch with his young son Mark near the fictional town of North Fork, New Mexico Territory. Headstrong and hardworking, Connors finds himself swept up in an array of thrilling misadventures while acclimating to life on the ranch, toting his trusty rapid-fire Winchester rifle and helping keep law and order in the small community.
The Rifleman made history when it became the first primetime show to depict a single parent raising a child, and series creator Sam Peckinpah set out to create a violent, edgy realism and intricate characters throughout its run, as Connors’ son was taught tough lessons on the ranch. The Western dominated the ratings throughout its five-season run and 168 episodes, with audiences tuning in week after week to see what new threat Connors would face off against while demonstrating his thrilling marksman skills and fighting spirit.
7
‘The English’ (2022)
Golden Globe winner Emily Blunt delivered a spirited performance when she headlined the 2022 revisionist Western miniseries The English. Here, the illustrious actress portrayed Englishwoman Lady Cornelia Locke, who bravely ventures into the American frontier in 1890 with revenge on her mind, as she sets out to track down the man responsible for the death of her son. While on her noble quest, Locke teams up with Pawnee Nation member and ex-cavalry scout Eli Whipp (Chaske Spencer), who assists the grieving mother on her bold mission.
Lauded for its compelling storyline, brutal action, suspense, and stunning visuals, The English features knockout performances by Blunt and Spencer, who develop an unlikely yet meaningful bond as both embark on their own journeys of self-discovery. For her exceptional work in the miniseries, Blunt received a Screen Actors Guild Award nomination, and the Western won a British Academy Television Craft Award for Best Costume Design.
6
‘Wild West Chronicles’ (2020 – Present)
Chronicling the life and legacy of lawman, journalist, and professional gambler Bat Masterson, 2020’s Wild West Chronicles stars Jack Elliot as the legendary American Old West figure. The story follows a period when he decides to leave his life as a sheriff behind, becoming a newspaperman and traveling throughout the American West. It is in his travels that he begins to investigate and report on thrilling stories and events. Across his adventures, Masterson meets and interacts with a slew of iconic outlaws like Bass Reeves, Butch Cassidy, and Stagecoach Mary.
Each episode in the riveting series follows Masterson on his travels as he crosses paths with these famous historical figures. Playing the role of a savvy journalist, Masteron investigates everything from a bank robbery by the notorious Dalton Gang to documenting the unforgettable Gunfight at the O.K. Corral. Wild West Chronicles currently has four electrifying seasons under its belt. It offers audiences an in-depth, entertaining look at some of the most prominent familiar faces in American frontier history.
5
‘The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp’ (1955 – 1961)
Deemed as the first Western television series written specifically for adults, 1955’s The Life and Legend of Wyatt Earp features Hugh O’Brian as the iconic lawman, with the groundbreaking program depicting Earp’s many adventures and experiences as a frontier marshal in both Ellsworth and Wichita, Kansas, and later in Arizona. Earp was famous for his involvement in the gunfight at the O.K. Corral, and the renowned lawman made it his mission to instill law and order everywhere he went.
The black-and-white, half-hour program received two Emmy nominations throughout its 6-season run, with O’Brian earning a nomination for his impressive performance as the legendary lawman. The trailblazing series spawned a whopping 229 episodes and delivered solid ratings throughout its television run, consistently ranking among the Top Ten shows in the United States. O’Brian would go on to reprise the role decades later in the ’90s, appearing in the TV movies The Gambler Returns: The Luck of the Draw and Wyatt Earp: Return to Tombstone.
4
‘Little House on the Prairie’ (1974 – 1983)
Undeniably one of the small screen’s most enduring and distinguished Westerns of all time, the 1974 classic series Little House on the Prairie famously follows the Ingalls family as they live, thrive, and survive in Plum Creek, Minnesota, during the 1870s. Based on the best-selling Laura Ingalls Wilder books, the unforgettable show featured Michael Landon as family patriarch Charles Ingalls, who courageously fought to keep his loved ones safe and happy as they navigated life on a farm amid unexpected hurdles.
Throughout its sensational nine-season, 204-episode run, the wholesome and endearing program tackled an array of heavy themes, including alcoholism, racism, poverty, and abuse. Lead star Landon was integral in pushing these themes as he also directed numerous episodes and served as both a writer and executive producer. Little House on the Prairie won multiple Emmys and spawned spin-offs and sequels, including three made-for-TV movies.
3
‘Elkhorn’ (2024 – Present)
Elkhorn follows the early life of future U.S. President Theodore Roosevelt (Mason Beals), starting after the death of his mother and wife when he was 25. This event causes him to abandon his political ambitions in New York and move to the Dakota Badlands to become a rancher, hoping to build his own ranch, the titular Elkhorn. In the process, he would become a central figure, with the series boasting a large ensemble cast playing to or against Roosevelt’s ambitions.
An inspirational Western that dramatizes how Roosevelt’s trials in the Badlands would shape him into the future president, Elkhorn welcomed fans to explore the lesser-known chapter of the iconic figure’s life in a TV Western series. While not entirely historically accurate and somewhat restrained by budget, the series has developed an endearing fandom around its picturesque Western setting and immersive period drama.
2
‘The Man from Snowy River’ (1994 – 1996)
While The Man From Snowy River remains more of a classic in its native Australia, the family-oriented adventure/drama has found fans worldwide. The series follows widowed cattle rancher Matt McGregor (Andrew Clarke) as he tries to raise his three children under the challenges of the Western frontier. Over four seasons and 65 episodes, the McGregor family faced challenges and triumphs within the show’s episodic structure.
Fans of Little House on the Prairie, who wished the heartfelt show were a bit heavier on action, will find that The Man from Snowy River perfectly manages that balance. Here, fans can expect the same character-driven family drama, but with the gorgeous backdrop of the snowy Australian mountains. The series also marks one of Guy Pearce’s first roles as one of the McGregor sons and an early screen appearance by Hugh Jackman.
1
‘The Pinkertons’ (2014)
Inspired by the real-life Pinkerton National Detective Agency, founded in the 1860s. The Pinkertons follows the legendary founder Allan Pinkerton (Angus Macfadyen), who, along with his son William Pinkerton (Jacob Blair), and America’s first woman detective, Kate Warne (Martha MacIsaac), solves various crimes. The trio tackles train robberies, kidnappings, murders, and other mysteries across a post-Civil War frontier.
This quaint Canadian TV series may lack the budget of other Westerns, but The Pinkertons would fill an interesting niche across its single 22-episode season. Notably, the series brought familiar procedural tropes to a Western setting to deliver an engaging mystery-of-the-month format. Having drawn comparisons to Murdoch Mysteries in its tone, The Pinkertons also remains accessible to a broader audience.
Source link
Add Comment