Western-based series have been the cornerstone of TV since its inception, capturing the spirit of the American frontier. These shows present compelling stories of justice, survival, and moral dilemmas set against wild and lawless landscapes.However, many outstanding Western series have either been prematurely ended or been severely limited in their scope. Some ofthe best made for TV Westernspresented engaging plots and intriguing characters, and warranted longer durations to develop their themes and narratives fully. Whether they were canceled early or constrained by their format, each show left viewers wanting more.
Several of these shows constructed expansive worlds and introduced exciting and unique characters with the potential for growth over multiple seasons.The best Western TV showsthrive on gradual, paced storytelling, enabling exploration of frontier life, moral ambiguity, and deep character development. Unfortunately, many of these series were stopped just as they hit their stride. Given more time, these shows could have become defining examples of Western television series. Here are shows that held audiences captive but should have been given more time to fulfill their potential.
10Damnation (2017–2018)
Starring Killian Scott And Guymon Casady
Taking place during the American labor wars of the 1930s,Damnationfollows preacher Seth Davenport, who leads a workers’ rebellion against wealthy industrialists in his small Midwestern town. With a hidden past and a violent enforcer sent to stop him,Davenport must navigate the violence that is coming to him and bring justice to the workers who have been oppressed. The show combines elements of Westerns, criminal dramas, and historical fiction, resulting in a tense, multi-layered narrative.
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Despite its intriguing premise and strong performances up and down the cast,Damnationwas axed after just one season.The series barely scratched the surface of its rich historical setting, and many of its character arcs were left unresolved after the abrupt end. The labor strikes, themes of social injustice, and class conflicts that the show introduced had the potential for further exploration in subsequent seasons. More seasons would have allowed the series to delve deeper into its themes of inequality and the rebellion.
9Texas Rising (2015)
Starring Bill Paxton And Oliver Martinez
Texas Risingfeatures the tale of the Texas Revolution against Mexico and the early days of the Texas Rangers.Led by General Sam Houston, portrayed by Bill Paxton, the series brings to life pivotal battles such as the Alamo and the Battle of San Jacinto, weaving in the personal stories of known historical figures like Davy Crockett and Jim Bowie. The show is filled with grand battle scenes and explores the struggle between Mexico and the settlers fighting for their independence.
The series features acting greats such as Bill Paxton, Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Ray Liotta, Brendan Fraser, Kris Kristofferson, Olivier Martinez, Robert Knepper, Thomas Jane, and Cynthia Addai-Robinson.
While the miniseries captures the drama of Texas’ fight for independence, its five-episode run leaves much of the region’s history unexplored. The Revolution and the years following it were filled with political intrigue and personal issues,but the limited scope ofTexas Risingdoesn’t allow for a deep dive into these complexities,which would have been compelling to watch. A more extended series could have provided more context to the founding of Texas and the formation of the Texas Rangers as an entity, adding depth to both the characters and the historical events they were a part of.
8Klondike (2014)
Starring Richard Madden And Abbie Cornish
Set during the Klondike Gold Rush of the late 1890s,Klondikefollows two childhood friends, Bill Haskell, and Byron Epstein, as they venture into the harsh and unforgiving Yukon Territory in search of their gold rush fortune.Confronted with the perils of the wilderness, treacherous competition, and the lawlessness of the boomtowns they would have to work in, they encounter a host of colorful and morally ambiguous characters. Klondike, one ofRichard Madden’s best TV shows, delves into the greed, desperation, and human cost accompanying the pursuit of gold and riches.
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Despite its captivating premise and visually rich storytelling,Klondikeonly ran for six episodes, leaving viewers feeling that the story had barely begun to unfold the historical period it depicted.Richard Madden, who played Haskell, is an engaging lead, and the character arcs, especially those of his and Epstein, could have been more fully developed over a more extended period. With its myriad dangers and moral complexities, the world of the Gold Rush offered so much potential for further development, making Klondike one of those Westerns that deserved a more extended run to flesh out that potential.
7The Son (2017–2019)
Starring Pierce Brosnan And Henry Garrett
This series tells the multi-generational tale of Eli McCullough, portrayed by Pierce Brosnan, a formidable Texas cattle baron and oil tycoon troubled by the violence in his past.Spanning the mid-19th to early 20th century, the series depicts Eli’s ascent to power following his childhood abduction by Comanchesand his unyielding ambition to protect his family’s empire decades later. It presents an expansive narrative meshing the harsh realities of the frontier with the ruthless dynamics of early 20th-century capitalism.
Sam Neill was set to play the main character, Eli McCullough, but had to leave before shooting due to personal reasons, so Pierce Brosnan was approached to fill in the role.
Despite its compelling story and strong performances,The Sonwas canceled after only two seasons.The extensive storyline, involving various timelines and generations, would have benefited from more seasons to delve deeper into Eli’s character and the McCullough legacy overall. The tension between Eli’s past and present, alongside Texas’s evolving political and economic climate, felt rushed in the final episodes, leaving viewers desiring more closure to the story. With its rich historical backdrop and complex moral dilemmas,The Sonheld the potential for a long-lasting, intricate series.
6Hatfields & McCoys (2012)
Starring Kevin Costner And Bill Paxton
This three-part miniseries chronicles the legendary feud between the Hatfield and McCoy families in the post-Civil War West Virginia-Kentucky area.With the legendary Kevin Costner as Anse Hatfield and Bill Paxton as Randall McCoy, the show portrays the tragic events that escalated the rivalryfrom personal grudges to full-blown violence between the families. The series captures the intense emotions, betrayals, and devastating impact of the feud on both sets of families and their communities in general.
A more bulked-out series could have provided more background on the Civil War’s effects on the region and offered a more balanced portrayal of the personal and cultural divides between the families.
WhileHatfields & McCoyseffectively captures the brutality and passion of the battles, its condensed run of just three episodes leaves much of the story’s depth unexplored.The feud between the two infamous families lasted for decades, and the miniseries only reached the surface of the social and political forces that fueled it. A more bulked-out series could have provided more background on the Civil War’s effects on the region and offered a more balanced portrayal of the personal and cultural divides between the families.
5Into The West (2005)
Starring Matthew Settle And Joseph M. Marshall
Created by Steven Spielberg,Into the Westis an expansive six-part miniseries that spans multiple generations from 1825 to 1890, chronicling the United States' westward expansion.The narrative follows two intertwined families—one Native American (Lakota) and one American—navigating the events that shaped the nation, including the California Gold Rush, the construction of the country’s rail structure, and the conflicts over Native American land. The series ambitiously covers nearly a century of history and expertly blends real and fictional characters.
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Hatfields & McCoys (2012)
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Deadwood (2004–2006)
8.6/10
Despite its grand and epic vision for a Western series,Into The Westfeels like a story impossible to tell in only 12 hours, with the vastness of the history it aims to depict.The six episodes attempt to cover massive periods and many significant events, but this compresses the storytelling and character development to fit in. Multiple seasons would have allowed for a more thorough exploration of the intricate relationships between characters and the conflict, and it would have provided a more comprehensive portrayal of the cultural and historical forces that shaped the West of America.
4The Good Lord Bird (2020)
Starring Ethan Hawke And Joshua Caleb Johnson
The Good Lord Birdrecounts the life of abolitionist John Brown through the perspective of Henry “Onion” Shackleford, a young, formerly enslaved person who becomes involved in Brown’s crew.Ethan Hawke delivers an exceptional portrayal of Brown, filled with fiery intensity.The series focuses on the lead-up to the Harpers Ferry raid, a critical moment in the abolitionist movement meant to initiate a slave revolt. It combines historically accurate moments with dark humor, resulting in a captivating portrayal of this tumultuous period in the history of America.
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Although expertly crafted by those involved,The Good Lord Birdleaves a significant portion of the broader historical context unearthed. With only seven episodes, the series covers the most important events of Brown’s storybut misses out on deeper explorations of his legacy and the broader 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 during this period, enabling the series to delve deeper into Brown’s impact on American history and his involvement in starting the Civil War.
3Godless (2017)
Starring Jack O’Connell And Jeff Daniels
Set in the late 19th century, this series follows the story of Roy Goode, a runaway outlaw fleeing from his vengeful mentor, Frank Griffin.Seeking shelter, he ends up in a town inhabited mainly by women due to a mining accident that claimed the lives of the town’s men. The women, led by Mary Agnes, unite to defend their town against Griffin and his gang, leading to a violent finale. The series boasts a rich atmosphere and standout performances from the entire cast, particularly from Jeff Daniels and Michelle Dockery.
Godlessreceived universally positive reviews and was named one of the year’s 10 best shows by both The Washington Post and Vanity Fair.
Despite its well-crafted narrative and compelling character progressions,Godlessfeels like it concludes prematurely.With only seven episodes, many of the town’s residents, especially the women of La Belle, could have been given more opportunities for character growth through the series. There was much more to uncover about life in a predominantly female community in the Wild West. Subsequent seasons could have delved deeper into the town’s recovery and the intimate relationships between its inhabitants.
2The English (2022)
Starring Emily Blunt And Chaske Spencer
Set in the late 19th-century American West,The Englishcenters on Cornelia Locke, a British noble played by Emily Blunt. She is on a quest for revenge following her son’s murder.She joins forces with former Pawnee scout Eli Whipp as they embark on a perilous journey through lawless and hazardous lands. The series presents a gritty and realistic depiction of life on the frontier, featuring striking visuals and powerful acting.
The bond between Cornelia and Eli and the broader context of the changing West, could have been given more room to grow. More seasons could have facilitated a more profound exploration of the characters’ backgrounds, relationships, and the societal transformations occurring around them.
Despite acclaim for its cinematic quality and emotional arc throughout,The Englishfeels too brief, considering the breadth of its storyline. Its six episodes introduce complex characters and vivid stories but don’t allow sufficient space for their full development. The bond between Cornelia and Eli, and the broader context of the changing West, could have been given more room to grow. More seasons could have facilitated a more profound exploration of the characters’ backgrounds, relationships, and the societal transformations occurring around them.
1Deadwood (2004–2006)
Starring Timothy Olyphant And Ian McShane
Set in the unruly town ofDeadwood, South Dakota, during the Black Hills Gold Rush, Deadwood offers a raw and unflinching portrayal of life on the frontier.With its morally questionable characters, witty dialogue, and gritty authenticity, the show tracks individuals such as The Gem Saloon owner Al Swearengen (Ian McShane) and sheriff Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant) as they grapple with the mayhem of a town lacking proper law enforcement. The series is renowned for its elaborate political scheming and profoundly human cast of characters.
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Despite its critical acclaim for acting, writing, and characters,Deadwoodwas canceled after just three seasons, leaving numerous storylines to be solved. Although the 2019 movie provided some additional closure and validated the feelings for more from the series,it failed to fully satisfy fans who had become deeply engrossed in the town’s evolution and the fates of those involved. The show’s intricate world-building and complex dynamics warranted more time to unfold, and additional seasons could have delved fully into statehood’s impact on the town and its inhabitants.
Deadwood
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Deadwood is a western drama series created for HBO by David Milch. The series takes place in Deadwood, South Dakota, where corruption runs rampant in the gold-mining era as the settlement existed outside the U.S. territory expansion following the Civil War. As the town was the site of a major gold find, it continues to attract people from all walks of life - especially opportunistic criminals.
