10 TV Westerns That Should Have Been Longer

WestSeries based on the series have been a cornerstone of television since its inception, capturing the spirit of the American frontier. These shows present gripping stories of justice, survival and moral dilemmas set against wild and lawless landscapes. However, many outstanding Western series were either ended prematurely or were severely limited in scope.. Some of the best westerns made for television featured compelling plots and intriguing characters, and required longer runtimes to fully develop their themes and narratives. Whether they were canceled early or limited by the format, each show left viewers wanting more.

Some of these shows have created expansive worlds and introduced compelling and unique characters that can grow over multiple seasons. The best Western TV series thrive on gradual, dynamic storytelling that explores frontier life, moral ambiguity, and deep character development.. Unfortunately, many of these series were stopped just when they began to gain momentum. Given more time, these shows could have become defining examples of Western television series. Here are shows that kept viewers captivated, but should have been given more time to realize their potential.

10

Damnation (2017–2018)

Starring Killian Scott and Guymon Casady.

The story takes place during the American labor wars of the 1930s. Curse follows preacher Seth Davenport as he leads a labor uprising against wealthy industrialists in his small Midwestern town. With a hidden past and a brutal enforcer sent to stop him. Davenport must deal with the violence that befalls him and bring justice to the oppressed workers.. The show combines elements of Westerns, crime dramas and historical fiction, resulting in a tense and multi-layered narrative.

Despite the intriguing concept and strong acting, Curse was fired after just one season. The series barely touched on its rich historical setting, and many of its storylines were left unresolved after the abrupt end.. The workers’ strikes, themes of social injustice and class conflict presented in the series have the potential to be further explored in subsequent seasons. More seasons would have allowed the series to delve deeper into themes of inequality and rebellion.

9

Texas Uprising (2015)

Starring Bill Paxton and Oliver Martinez.

Texas Uprising tells the story of the Texas Revolution against Mexico and the early days of the Texas Rangers. Led by General Sam Houston, played by Bill Paxton, the series brings to life key battles such as the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto.weaving in the personal stories of famous historical figures such as Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie. The show is filled with epic battle scenes and explores the struggle between Mexico and the settlers fighting for their independence.

While the miniseries captures the drama of Texas’ fight for independence, its five-part series leaves much of the region’s history unexplored. The revolution and subsequent years were filled with political intrigue and personal problems. but limited volume Texas Uprising does not allow you to delve deeply into these complexities, which would be interesting to see. A more expanded series could have provided more context to the founding of Texas and the rise of the Texas Rangers as a whole, adding depth to both the characters and the historical events they were a part of.

8

Klondike (2014)

Starring Richard Madden and Abbie Cornish.

The story takes place during the Klondike Gold Rush in the late 1890s. Klondike follows two childhood friends, Bill Haskell and Byron Epstein, as they venture into the rugged and unforgiving Yukon Territory in search of gold rush fortune. Faced with the dangers of the wild, insidious competition and the lawlessness of booming cities, they will have to work inthey encounter a variety of colorful and morally ambiguous characters. One of Richard Madden’s best TV shows, Klondike delves into the greed, desperation and human sacrifice that comes with the pursuit of gold and wealth.

Despite the gripping plot and visually rich storytelling, Klondike lasted only six episodes, leaving viewers with the feeling that the story had barely begun to unfold the historical period it depicted. Richard Madden, who plays Haskell, is an interesting character, and the character arcs, especially his and Epstein’s, could have been more fully developed over a longer period.. The world of the gold rush, with its countless dangers and moral complexities, offered enormous potential for further development, making Klondike one of those Westerns that deserved a longer run to flesh out that potential.

7

Son (2017–2019)

Starring Pierce Brosnan and Henry Garrett.

The series tells the multi-generational story of Eli McCullough, played by Pierce Brosnan, a formidable Texas cattle magnate and oil tycoon troubled by violence in his past. Spanning the mid-19th to early 20th centuries, the series depicts Eli’s rise to power after being kidnapped as a child by Comanches. and his relentless drive to protect his family’s empire decades later. It presents an expansive narrative that combines the harsh realities of the frontier with the ruthless dynamics of early 20th century capitalism.

Despite the exciting plot and strong acting, Son was canceled after just two seasons. An expansive storyline spanning multiple timelines and generations would have benefited from more seasons to delve deeper into Eli’s character and McCullough’s legacy as a whole.. The tension between Eli’s past and present, along with the evolving political and economic climate of Texas, has felt rising in recent episodes, leaving viewers wanting more closure to the story. Given the rich historical background and complex moral dilemmas, Son had the potential for a long and complex series.

6

Hatfields and McCoys (2012)

Starring Kevin Costner and Bill Paxton.

This three-part miniseries chronicles the legendary feud between the Hatfield and McCoy families in the West Virginia-Kentucky area after the Civil War. Starring the legendary Kevin Costner as Anse Hatfield and Bill Paxton as Randall McCoy, the series depicts the tragic events that led to the escalation of the rivalry. from personal grievances to full-blown violence between families. The series depicts strong emotions, betrayals and the devastating impact of feuding on both families and their communities as a whole.

Bye Hatfields and McCoys effectively conveys the brutality and passion of the battles, and the condensed series of just three episodes leaves much of the story’s depth unexplored. The feud between the two notorious families spanned decades, and the miniseries only scratched the surface of the social and political forces that fueled it.. A longer series might have provided more information about the Civil War’s impact on the region and offered a more balanced portrayal of the personal and cultural differences between the families.

5

To the West (2005)

Starring Matthew Settle and Joseph M. Marshall.

Created by Steven Spielberg, To the West is an expansive six-part miniseries spanning multiple generations from 1825 to 1890 and chronicling the westward expansion of the United States. The story follows two intertwined families: one Indian (Lakota) and one American.– managing the events that shaped the nation, including the California Gold Rush, the construction of the nation’s railroad structure, and conflicts over Native American lands. The series ambitiously covers almost a century of history and skillfully combines real and fictional characters.

Despite the grandiose and epic vision of the Western, To the West feels like a story that can’t be told in just 12 hours given the magnitude of the story it aims to portray. The six episodes try to cover large periods and many important events, but it compresses the narrative and character development to fit into the larger picture.. Multiple seasons would have allowed for a more thorough exploration of the complex relationships between the characters and the conflict, while also providing a fuller portrayal of the cultural and historical forces that shaped the American West.

4

Good Lord Bird (2020)

Starring Ethan Hawke and Joshua Caleb Johnson.

Good Lord Bird tells the life of abolitionist John Brown from the point of view of Henry “Look” Shackleford, a young, former slave who becomes a member of Brown’s crew. Ethan Hawke delivers an exceptional portrayal of Brown, filled with fiery energy. The series focuses on the lead-up to the Harper’s Ferry Raid, a critical moment in the abolitionist movement meant to start a slave revolt. It combines historically accurate moments with dark humor, resulting in a gripping portrayal of this tumultuous period in American history.

Although it was expertly created by the participants, Good Lord Bird leaves much of the wider historical context revealed. Just seven episodes cover the most important events in Brown’s history. but overlooks a deeper examination of his legacy and the wider implications of his actions before and after his death.. More time could have been devoted to the aftermath of the raid or the socio-political climate of the period, allowing the series to delve deeper into Brown’s influence on American history and his role in starting the Civil War.

3

Godless (2017)

Starring Jack O’Connell and Jeff Daniels.

Set in the late 19th century, the series tells the story of Roy Hood, a fugitive on the run from his vengeful mentor Frank Griffin. Seeking refuge, he ends up in a town populated mostly by women due to a mining accident that takes the lives of the town’s men.. The women, led by Mary Agnes, band together to protect their town from Griffin and his gang, leading to a brutal ending. The series boasts rich atmosphere and outstanding performances from the entire cast, especially Jeff Daniels and Michelle Dockery.

Despite the well-crafted narrative and compelling character development, godless it feels like it’s ending prematurely. With only seven episodes, many of the town’s residents, especially the women of La Belle, could have been given more character development in the series.. We still have a lot to learn about life in a predominantly female community in the Wild West. Subsequent seasons could delve deeper into the city’s restoration and the intimate relationships between its residents.

2

The English (2022)

Starring Emily Blunt and Chasc Spencer.

The story takes place in the American West at the end of the 19th century. English The film centers on Cornelia Locke, a British noblewoman played by Emily Blunt. She seeks revenge for the murder of her son. She joins forces with former Pawnee scout Eli Whipp as they embark on a dangerous journey through lawless and dangerous lands.. The series is a gritty and realistic portrayal of life on the frontier with vibrant visuals and strong performances.

Despite the recognition of the film’s cinematic quality and emotional content, English seems too short given the breadth of the storyline. The six episodes introduce complex characters and strong stories, but don’t leave much room for them to fully develop. The connection between Cornelia and Eli and the larger context of the changing West could have had more room to grow. More seasons could have allowed for a deeper exploration of the characters’ backgrounds, their relationships, and the social changes taking place around them.

1

Deadwood (2004–2006)

Starring Timothy Olyphant and Ian McShane.

The action takes place in a troubled city DeadwoodSouth Dakota during the Black Hills Gold Rush, Deadwood offers a raw and fearless portrayal of life on the frontier. With its morally questionable characters, witty dialogue and gritty authenticity.The series follows people like The Gem Saloon owner Al Swearengen (Ian McShane) and Sheriff Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant) as they battle chaos in a town lacking proper law enforcement. The series is known for its elaborate political machinations and deeply human cast of characters.

Despite critical acclaim for the acting, script and characters, Deadwood was canceled after just three seasons, leaving many storylines unresolved. While the 2019 film provided some additional closure and confirmed the feeling of more from the series, it failed to fully satisfy fans who were deeply passionate about the development of the city and the destinies of its participants.. The show’s intricate world-building and complex dynamics needed more time to unravel, and additional seasons could have delved deeper into the impact of government on the city and its inhabitants.