Although western films like tombstone May not be in fashion anymore, there’s still plenty of love for the genre on the small screen. Some of the most iconic Westerns have come in the form of serialized dramas, taking everything that was so innovative about Hollywood movies and transferring it into sweeping, long-running stories that audiences can tune into week after week. The best Westerns are the ones that take the modern flair of the genre and blend it with a rich, important story that audiences can relate to—and Modern Westerners have basically mastered this craft.
Television Westerns are generally much larger in scale than their cinematic counterparts tombstoneWith more ensemble casts and stories that branch off in countless different directions – this creates endless possibilities for these projects, and probably explains why they’ve become so popular in recent years. The West is inherently complex and sprawling genre, so it fits perfectly with the format. The best TV show Westerns use episodic storytelling to create rich, powerful stories that continue for many seasons.
10
Longmire
2012 – 2017
Longmire was among the first highly successful TV Westerns of the 2010s, starting the boom in popularity the genre saw that decade. The story follows a retired sheriff named Walt Longmire who returns to work after his wife’s death, investigating the city’s most serious crimes and developing a reputation as a formidable lawman. The show adopted a familiar episodic formatWith new criminals and mysteries happening every week – though LongmireHis greatest strength was his ability to weave these together with the overarching character arcs.
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Longmire With great cinematography and extremely sharp writing, each episode was new and interesting. The side characters are a clear standout of this showWith Robert Taylor’s lead performance graciously leaving room for some exciting one-off villains or fun anti-heroes. Longmire Ran for six great seasons before coming to a coordinated end in 2017.
9
Godless
2017
Godless is one of the shortest-running westerns in recent memory, but it manages to pack everything it needs into one season for a lot of tight, poignant storytelling that represents the best of the western genre. The story centers around Jeff Daniels’ notorious criminal Frank GriffinWho seeks revenge on his old friend for betraying his group of forbidden brothers. The criminals are stationed in a small town in the American West, where the residents quickly deal with the legality of their actions.
Despite such a short runtime compared to some other television westerns, Godless is one of the most exciting and well-written shows of recent years. Each episode boasts some slow, methodical storytelling Which manages to enhance the atmosphere of the show while progressing the story at the same time, which is a recipe for success in limited series like this.
8
Hell on Wheels
2011 – 2016
Hell on Wheels is another long-running western that follows a familiar story of revenge and violence, but it does so in a way that feels edgy and unpredictable from start to finish. It follows an ex-soldier named Cullen Bohannon, who embarks on a mission to make his enemies pay for the brutal murder of his wife. This is a simple story of revenge and bloodshedBut the character work is the real star of the show Hell on Wheels.
There are plenty of secrets and complex plots that keep the twists coming, and it’s never predictable or boring.
Hell of Wheels Features a brilliant cast of interesting, complex characters whose intentions and motivations are always kept somewhat secret from the audience. This creates such an engaging and gripping viewing experience, telling the story from Bohannon’s perspective and only revealing information that he would otherwise keep private. There are many secrets and complex plots That keeps the twists coming, and it’s never predictable or boring.
7
Winona Erp
2016 – 2021
Winona Erp Offers a fascinating twist on the Western, blending the typical tropes of the genre with a more modern, horror-inspired twist. The show follows the titular demon hunter as she battles the vengeful souls of convicted criminals wreaking havoc in the city of Purgatory, where they struggle to find eternal rest. Winona Erp is unlike any other westUse this classic genre as a backdrop to explore some inventive storytelling, fantasy concepts, and formal horror elements.
The western features of Winona Erp are mostly aesthetic, as the show subverts the expectations of the genre, but pays homage to it in a way that always feels respectful and authentic. The show was a huge successPaving the way for several other twists on the western genre to come in the future. Winona Erp It was even revived for a movie, which helped answer some of the burning questions left over from the finale.
6
Yellowstone
2018 – present
Yellowstone is undeniably the most successful neo-western show of recent years. The show follows the Dutton family, the owners of the largest ranch in America, who must fend off land encroachers and protect their property, all while settling their internal disputes in the process. It’s a lot A more modern and inventive twist on the WestWith less joyous violence and much more methodical, well-plotted storytelling.
Yellowstone Also had several spinoff properties that basically bankrolled the popularity of the show for many years to come, setting a precedent as one of the first western “franchises” on television. And it’s easy to see why Yellowstone has managed to achieve so much success: it takes a very simple concept and elevates it with Amazing performances, gorgeous visuals, and razor-sharp writing Which makes even the simplest situations feel like the end of the world. There is magic in it YellowstoneAnd this is the kind of project that transcends the constraints of its genre.
5
Just right
2010 – 2015
Just right Tells the story of a US marshal named Raylan Givens, who enforces his own personal justice on the criminals of his small town and ensures that those in need are not tormented by the outlaws who roam the country. Like most great Western movies, justified Works because of its complex protagonist and rich backstory; Raylan is a fascinating character with multiple dimensionsAnd his journey throughout the show’s five seasons has been consistently fun to watch.
The show also has some great one-off subplots and recurring characters that ensure the story reaches beyond Raylan’s own personal journey, which is crucial for a show that runs as long as Just right did. It is an excellent example of how to adapt a classic Western formula For the small screen, taking the tropes and conventions that made Westerns popular in the first place and turning them into bite-sized pieces week by week.
4
Little House on the Prairie
1974 – 1983
Little House on the Prairie is one of the first shows that is always brought up when discussing TV Westerns, and for good reason. The show essentially paved the way for the existence of Westerns on television, where they had previously been confined to cinema. Running for nine seasons, the series followed the lives of one rural family living on a farm in Walnut Grove, Minnesota – it was Much more lighthearted and less macho than most Westerns That preceded it, but it stuck closely to the conventions of the genre.
The long-running nature of the show meant that audiences could really relate to this family, and it importantly proved that you don’t need bloody violence or complex stories of revenge to make a Western work.
Little House on the Prairie Knew how to make the audience cry, how to make them laugh, and most importantly, how to get them invested in the lives of the little characters. The long-running nature of the show meant that audiences could really relate to this family, and it importantly proved that you don’t need bloody violence or complex stories of revenge to make a Western work.
3
Gunsmoke
1955-1975
Gunsmoke was among the first TV Westerns, and while it wasn’t as innovative and game-changing as those that followed, it was a near-perfect example of how to make the most of the genre. It told the story of a U.S.
interesting, Gunsmoke Break the mold a little By weaving some romance into his long-running narrative of crime. When he is not fighting crime, Marshall Dillon spends most of his time trying to win the love of a woman, giving Gunsmoke A much-needed break from the high-octane genre narrative. This was likely a huge contributor to the show’s immense success, though Gunsmoke was unfortunately canceled in 1975 and never given a real finale.
2
Deadwood
2004 – 2006
Deadwood was released at a time when Westerns were arguably at their lowest popularity, however The show managed to subvert expectations Enough to make a name for himself regardless. The HBO drama took all the aesthetic features that made Westerns so interesting and applied them to a straightforward crime drama, following an ensemble cast in Deadwood, South Dakota – where the law has no reach.
Deadwood was an interesting project that managed to finally bring the audience back to the side of the western side, and prove that it does not always have to be as corny and formulaic as many of the spaghetti westerns that we are used to. Deadwood Also had many characters based on real-life figures, which made the show just as educational as it was entertaining.
1
Walker
2021 – 2024
Walker Might not be the best reviewed western out there, but it’s certainly one of the most interesting. The show follows a widowed father who returns to Austin in an attempt to reunite with his family and settle down for good. However, he is haunted by his wife’s death and begins to become suspicious of the people around him. It is a fascinating deconstruction of the genreUse the tropes of the West to examine its purpose in the modern day.
WalkerThe strongest asset is the ensemble cast and their respective performances, with Jared Padalecki shining in the lead role. The supporting characters also have their moments in the spotlight, with actors such as Molly Hagan, Keegan Allen and Kale Culley all turning in excellent work that helps elevate the story’s family drama. Walker May not have the violence of organized crime typically associated with the genreBut it’s a much more personal story that proves that Westerns don’t have to be filled with revenge and cowboys like tombstone To make an impact.