It’s an exciting time to be a Western fan. After decades on the fringes, the genre is once again riding high, as we find ourselves firmly in the midst of a fully-fledged renaissance, spearheaded by Yellowstone and its ever-expanding universe of sequels, prequels, and spin-offs. Once considered the pinnacle of entertainment, shows like Rawhide, Wagon Train, Gunsmoke, and Bonanza dominated the Western genre in the ’50s and ’60s, sitting among the most-watched and best-reviewed shows of the era. At the genre’s peak, it wouldn’t have been unheard of for over half of the top ten most-watched shows on any given night to be Westerns.
These glory days didn’t last forever, though. By the mid ’70s, the genre fell into a slump due to over-saturation and a shift in cultural values, leading to a rejection of the genre’s typically simplistic morality. As a result, a slew of crime dramas, social sitcoms, and high-concept sci-fi shows rose to prominence, replacing the once dominant western genre. Following this decline, a good few decades passed before the genre would once again begin its ascent into mainstream popularity. Following the turn of the century, shows like Deadwood and Justified demonstrated that westerns could be smart, layered, morally complex, and character-driven, proving that they can function as elite prestige TV, and not just as nostalgia, laying the groundwork for the neo-Western resurgence we’ve witnessed in recent years.
‘Walker’ (2021 – 2024)
Closer to a modern police procedural than the classic westerns of yesteryear, Walker is pure comfort TV. A reboot of the 1990s series Walker, Texas Ranger, set in the present day, it follows widowed Texas Ranger Cordell Walker as he struggles to find a balance between rebuilding his broken family, maintaining law and order, and addressing his own personal trauma. While the central performances are undeniably strong and the crime cases can be compelling, it sometimes struggles with tonal inconsistencies and falls short of other, more daring and thematically rich neo-Westerns that were cropping up around this time.
‘Hell on Wheels’ (2011 – 2016)
Hell on Wheels may not have received the same level of critical acclaim as later shows like Justified and Godless, but it was certainly a hit with audiences, with AMC confirming it was the network’s second most-watched original series, behind The Walking Dead, following the season one finale. Set during the Civil War and based around the construction of the United States’ first transcontinental railroad, it follows the lives of a diverse array of characters who all end up a part of the construction for varying reasons, ranging from redemption to revenge. Despite feeling slightly detached from reality, at times, there’s enough peril, intrigue, and drama to keep viewers engaged and make, at least, some part of every episode seem fresh and worth waiting for.
‘1923’ (2022 – 2025)
Carried by two late-career acting highlights from Hollywood royalty, Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford, 1923 is the second prequel series introduced in the Yellowstone franchise, following the story of the Dutton family during the Prohibition and Great Depression era. While, in its own right, it’s a fantastic, well-written, and expertly acted western drama full of grit, conflict, and brooding drama, it lacks the lightning-in-a-bottle entertainment of Taylor Sheridan’s other entries in the Yellowstone franchise.
Revisiting similar story beats, following the Dutton family contending with rivals seeking after the ranch, sometimes it feels as if it’s re-treading much of the same ground already covered in Yellowstone. Nevertheless, it certainly makes for a gripping viewing experience, albeit one that has been executed slightly more sharply and compellingly elsewhere by Sheridan.
‘Outer Range’ (2022 – 2024)
Outer Range sees a rancher fighting to protect his property, but it’s not just human threats he has to contend with – a mysterious black void appears on his land, which is believed to be connected to a series of strange occurrences, including the disappearance of his daughter-in-law. Blending the familiar with the bizarre, it’s the kind of slow-burn mystery that lingers, teetering on perfection – if it were not for its slightly uneven pacing and its disappointing overuse of underdeveloped supporting characters as a tool for exposition.
When it comes to mixing sci-fi with the western genre, though, there have been a few great examples, including Cowboy Bebop, Nope, and the Westworld movie and TV series. More often than not, however, they fail to meet their ambitious potential, like the critically panned Wild Wild West and The Dark Tower, and the box office mega-flop Cowboys & Aliens. Fortunately, Outer Range avoids the pitfalls of the aforementioned let-downs and delivers a brooding and gripping series with a surreal edge that keeps the tension simmering throughout.
‘Dark Winds’ (2022 – Present)
Set in the 1970s, Dark Winds follows three Navajo Tribal Police officers as they’re drawn into the land’s criminal and moral mysteries. Blending crime noir sensibilities with rustic, working-world western aesthetics, its unwavering commitment to raw authenticity is where Dark Winds thrives. Its story is just as shaped by the desert, silence, and scenery as it is by its dialogue and action. The tension feels organic, with its attention squarely on the psychological and emotional weight of the crimes. With a focus on atmosphere over action, Dark Winds is great for those looking for subtlety over spectacle, though don’t expect quite the level of cinematic flair as Yellowstone or the emotional depth of Deadwood.
‘Longmire’ (2012 – 2017)
Longmire‘s unique premise focuses on the complex relationship between local law enforcement and the neighboring Native American community and its own tribal police force. With the help of his Cheyenne friend, Henry Standing Bear, who provides insights into how best to deal with the reservation’s police force, recently widowed Sheriff Walt Longmire strives to strike a balance between dealing with his own personal loss and his professional duty. Tasked with solving crimes that span the country and the reservation, he finds himself navigating all manner of cultural and political complexities in the process.
It’s a bold premise that has been praised for sensitively incorporating Native American perspectives into its story. Longmire, himself, is a complex and layered character, one who is well-intentioned but flawed, like the rest of us, making for a protagonist who is relatable and easy to root for.
‘Westworld’ (2016 – 2022)
Based on the 1973 movie of the same name, Westworld‘s story begins in a futuristic, Wild West amusement park, populated by life-like, android ‘hosts’. Here, high-paying guests can fully immerse themselves in the old West, choosing to live as law-abiding citizens, daring cowboys, or reckless outlaws. Naturally, the park’s creators program the androids to be unable to harm guests, yet it soon becomes apparent that they are beginning to develop sentience, a development that poses a deadly threat to those trapped with them.
A clever and thought-provoking examination of the dangers of AI, Westworld masterfully blends high-concept sci-fi with western adventure, creating a show that is dark, haunting, intense, and philosophical, all at once. The first two seasons received universal acclaim, but as the action shifted from the park to the real world in later seasons, some critics felt it lost the claustrophobic tension that made the first two so compelling.
‘Godless’ (2017)
Godless sees former Skins star Jack O’Connell continuing his ascent to Hollywood superstardom as a young, injured outlaw on the run from his ruthless and vengeful mentor. He winds up in the New Mexico town of Le Belle – a place run almost entirely by women. Here, he bands together with the townsfolk and a retired marshal for a violent showdown. Its single-season, miniseries format allows its tightly paced plot to shine. Full of unforgettable characters, high-stakes tension, and a palpable sense of impending dread, its rarely seen female-driven storytelling makes for a highly captivating experience that outshines many longer-running but less focused modern westerns, while just falling short of the scope, cultural impact, and sustained character depth achieved by the likes of Yellowstone and Justified.
‘Yellowstone’ (2020 – 2024)
Unless you’ve been living under a rock for the last half a decade, you’ll be well aware that Yellowstone has become one of the most lauded and talked-about television shows in some time. Created by Taylor Sheridan, after he became “bored with acting,” the gritty neo-Western drama chronicles the trials and tribulations of the Dutton family as they fight to protect their land from encroaching developers, rival families, and political threats.
With its stunning landscapes, intense family dynamics, and intricate storytelling, audiences have been captivated, and critics wowed. While those who prefer subtlety to spectacle might find the show to be a little too melodramatic, its appeal is undeniable, as it launched the western genre to heights not seen since the genre’s heyday, over six decades ago.
‘Justified’ (2021 – 2022)
Spanning 78 episodes over 6 seasons, aired between 2010 and 2015, Justified revolves around the trials and tribulations of the inhabitants of the Appalachian Mountains area of eastern Kentucky. Starring Timothy Olyphant as the no-nonsense Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, known for enforcing his own brand of justice, it was met with widespread critical acclaim, laying the groundwork for the gritty, character-driven frontier storytelling that would later define the neo-Western boom, spearheaded by Yellowstone.
Blending violent crime drama with gritty, Southern gothic noir sensibilities and an undercurrent of gallows humor, the show racked up a total of 8 Primetime Emmy Awards over its run, with particular praise directed at its deft pacing, powerful performances, and razor-sharp character development, yet remains criminally under-seen. Sharing similar stunning landscapes, intense drama, and intricate storytelling as Yellowstone, Justified is arguably the superior of the two, thanks to its unrivaled authenticity and its deep, focused narrative.
Source link
Add Comment