No one can deny that the big ol’Westerngenre has had its ups and downs throughout the years. And even though interest has somewhat waned in the 21st century more than ever, in the past decade, the genre has seen an unexpected revival in the form of heart-stopping, action, drama, and romance-packed, exceptionally well-written TV series loaded with charm and star power. Whether you’re a seasoned fan or just looking to dip your boots into the genre, there’s something for everyone in the list of groundbreaking Western TV series compiled in this article, all produced in the last ten years.
10Hell on Wheels (2011–2016)
Hell on Wheels
Created by Joe Gayton and Tony Gayton,Hell on Wheels(2011 - 2016) isa highly realistic yet criminally underrated showwhere, in each episode, audiences can get a true feeling of what life was really like back in the Wild West days. The show follows Cullen Bohannon’s (Anson Mount) action-packed journey as he arrives in the lawless town of Hell on Wheels during the transcontinental railroad construction.
The series is loaded with gripping side stories involving prostitutes, slaves, Native Americans, and European immigrants and does an excellent job of depicting how politics worked and is still working today, with empty promises, treacherous schemes, and funds being mishandled or stolen.
9Billy the Kid (2022–present)
Set in the late 1870s,Billy the Kidis a fresh Michael Hirst project (famous for masterpiece shows such as Vikings (2013 - 2020) and The Tudors (2007 - 2010)) which tells the story of the infamous outlaw, tracing his humble beginnings as a gunslinging cowboy to his larger-than-life days as the semi-Robin Hood of the Wild West.
Even though somewhat inaccurate historically, the first and so far only season ofBilly the Kidhas delivered on its promise to keep audiences on the edge of their seats, and will hopefully continue doing so with season 2, which premiered its first episode October 15th on MGM+.
8Justified (2010–2015)
Graham Yost’sJustified(2010–2015) tells the story of U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant) as he returns to his hometown in Kentucky. He delivers rough justice to his enemies and is battling with his own troubled past throughout the story.
Even though it has a high volume of crime and violence, the show’s dark humor actually transforms it into one of the greatest comedies. The characters are far from one-dimensional stereotypes, and the story remains clear and straightforward throughout, ensuring that when something absurd, funny, or ironic takes place, the audience instantly gets it. These are some of the reasons whyJustifiedis an exceptional and highly enjoyable modern-day Western.
Sony Pictures Releasing/Buena Vista Pictures Distribution/Warner Bros. Pictures
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7Longmire (2012–2017)
This Hunt Baldwin and John Coveny project resonates with classic Western literature and the enduring love for shows likeGunsmoke(1955–1975).Longmire’s Walt (Robert Taylor), much like Matt Dillon fromGunsmoke, boasts high levels of integrity, honesty, and a strong belief in the rule of law.
The show addresses modern-day issues and biases involving ranchers, farmers, immigrants, and nuns, all of whom coexist in the small town of Buffalo.Longmireis also a masterclass in acting and direction, with a lead cast that holds your interest throughout, and is filled with unpredictable twists. Netflix definitely deserves praise for bringing this outstanding show to life. It’s a rare gem that bridges the gap between classic Westerns and contemporary series.
61923 (2023–present)
Loaded with legendary star power carried by the talents of the great Harrison Ford and Dame Helen Mirren, Taylor Sheridan’s1923(2023–present) is part of the continuation of the origin story of the Dutton family, with Ford in the role of Jacob Dutton. As the brother of James Dutton (Tim McGraw), who was the lead character in1883(2021 - 2022), in1923Jacob takes on the role as the family patriarch, continuing the legacy of his family by protecting it from greedy and power-hungry men such as mining tycoon Donald Whitfield (Timothy Dalton), who is determined to acquire every inch of the resource-rich Paradise Valley.
1923has impressed audiences worldwide with its authentic early 20th-century American West depiction, including locations and clothing, complete with an immensely engaging storyline filled with twists and well-developed, three-dimensional characters, making it a must-watch goldmine of a TV series. The second season of1923is currently in development.
5Outer Range (2022–present)
Outer Range
Now, this one comes extra spicy! Created by Brian Watkins,Outer Range(2022–present) is a modern-day Western/Sci-Fi series that centers around the mysteries (one of them being a large hole in the ground that leads to different time periods) surrounding the Abbott family following the murder of one of the sons of their powerful arch enemy and neighbor, Wayne Tillerson (Will Patton).
Outer Rangeisn’t just enjoyable because it’s mysterious, extremely well-written, cinematically jaw-dropping, and with fantastic sound design. It is special because it allows us to experience the struggle of feeling small and dive into the very real fear of not knowing. And for Josh Brolin fans, his role as Royal Abbot might be one of the most impressive performances of his career.
4Yellowstone (2018–present)
Yellowstone
Yellowstone stars Kevin Costner and centers on his character John Dutton. Dutton and his family live on a cattle ranch just a few hours away from Yellowstone National Park. The series chronicles the family’s struggle to defend their home from an Indian reservation and land developers. As if their life wasn’t complicated enough, the Duttons also have medical issues, political aspirations, and family secrets stacked against them.
Taylor Sheridan’s first installment in the Dutton family saga,Yellowstone, is a contemporary Western show that has had an extremely successful run since its creation in 2018. It revolves around the Dutton family’s continual struggle to keep their influence and Montana land away from the drooling faces of tycoons, crooks, and power-hungry politicians.
Currently in its fifth season,Yellowstonerocks top-notch acting talent, including Kevin Costner, Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Luke Grimes, and others. Without a doubt, the show has earned its place among one of the best 5-star entertaining experiences that can be accessed via the small screen. Sadly, season five will likely be the end of this giant of a show, in favor of a sequel series (still untitled) starring the amazing Matthew McConaughey, which many fans are already excited about…and with good reason.
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3Westworld (2016–2022)
Westworld(2016–2022) is a Western/Sci-Fi series that revolves around Westworld, a state-of-the-art amusement park for which visitors pay heavy sums of money to relive the thrill of the Western frontier. Lifelike androids are created to provide illusion and escapism to customers. For these people, Westworld is an opportunity to indulge their deepest fantasies, but their dreamy world is jeopardized when, following an update, some robots begin to exhibit unpredictable and erratic behaviors. As the series progresses, behind the scenes, the team pulling the strings grows concerned about the increasing frequency of dark incidents.
While Lisa Joy and Jonathan Nolan’s series draws inspiration from the 1973 cult classic film,Westworld, the TV series establishes its own special identity with immersive and thought-provoking ideas that bear resemblance to our own lives and reality, which makes it accessible and a must-watch even to those of us who aren’t traditionally into the Western or Sci-Fi genre. Plus, it boasts a jaw-dropping cast, including Anthony Hopkins, Thandiwe Newton, Ed Harris, and Aaron Paul, among others.
21883 (2021–2022)
Another Taylor Sheridan masterpiece,1883(2021–2022), takes us into the founding adventures of the Dutton family on an intimate journey West through the further plains to the last bastion of Wild America and into the lives of European settlers in search of a better future.
Starring real-life country singer couple Tim McGraw and Faith Hill as mother and father Dutton, the series also features Sam Elliott as Shea Brennan, a tough-as-nails Civil War veteran who helps the settlers on their journey through the untamed frontiers, and Isabel May as the Dutton’s daughter Elsa, an innocent young soul who grows to become one of the wildest, bravest, and most inspiring female characters in the history of the Western genre. Notably, the show also features incredible guest appearances by Tom Hanks and his wife and fellow actress Rita Wilson.
1The Son (2017–2019)
If you want to see Pierce Brosnan at peak acting performance, thenThe Son(2017–2019) is your show. Set both in the mid-1880s and early 1900s, the series follows the fascinating story and life of Eli McCullough (played by Jacob Lofland and Pierce Brosnan), a young boy who rises to become one of the most powerful yet cruel men in Texas after being raised by Native Americans following the murder of his family.
The script follows the stormy years of the Mexican Revolution and the transition of the huge livestock farm created by Eli to his blood-soaked oil business. Here, Brosnan plays a patriarch forged from the cruel principles of battles for supremacy, whose word is law for all, except for his favorite son, Pete (Henry Garrett), who refuses to submit to his will. The Son is a story of legacy, of fatherly covenants that sons carry over time, and the wounds of the father’s absence, with whom they must live. It is a story quite close to the real-life drama of the lead actor, whose own father abandons his mother and himself shortly after his birth. Despite its stellar execution on all fronts, sadly,The Sonended after its second season.
