The Western genre had taken Hollywood by storm in the ’50s and ’60s, with the likes of John Wayne and Clint Eastwood gracing the silver screen with their tall, imposing figures and no-nonsense attitudes. American audiences couldn’t get enough, but why limit the wealth of stories that the genre provides to just the big screen?
Given its wide range of possibilities, the Western genre easily shifted its way to the small screen. Every week audiences would tune in for a new Western adventure creating long-running heroes over the years like Marshal Matt Dillon or Ben Cartwright. With a tv show, the Western has more freedom to explore other aspects of the genre and not just focus on Cowboys vs. Indians.
13, ‘Bonanza’ (1959 – 1973)
This long-running serialized Western played on thousands of televisions during its extended run and continues to play on repeat to this day. Following the adventures of rancher Ben Cartwright (Lorne Greene) and his sons as they run and protect a Nevada ranch and the neighboring community.
Bonanza was a classic in the Western era of television and wasn’t afraid to stray into controversial subjects of the times. It was one of the first shows actually to address racism, a subject not typically covered in 1960s American television. Moreover, with its use of color and its focus on character development sets it apart from other Western shows of the era. The show’s legacy continues to this day, with its impacts on the genre in general and its enduring popularity among fans.
12, ‘Rawhide’ (1959 – 1965)
Another classic black-and-white Western of the ’50s, Rawhide was the first series to show Clint Eastwood as a cowboy during his early years. The show revolved around a cattle drive making its way across the country, led by trail boss Gil Favor (Eric Fleming) and his trusted assistant, Rowdy Yates (Eastwood).
Along their journey, the cattle drivers would come across a whole array of various characters and adventures. With its quick pace and exciting storytelling, Rawhide delivers a slew of great episodes over the long run. The show is also known for its strong ensemble cast, led by Eastwood in his breakout role, and its exploration of themes such as honor, loyalty, and survival. In addition, Rawhide‘s iconic theme song and its realistic portrayal of the life of the trail have also made it a beloved classic of the Western genre.
11, ‘Gunsmoke’ (1955 – 1975)
One of the longest-running television shows of all time, Gunsmoke was the quintessential Western TV show. Following a wide cast of characters that stumble in and out of the rough Western town of Dodge City, Gunsmoke was a wide sandbox of Western tales to play around with.
With Marshal Matt Dillon (James Arness) to keep things in line, the town of Dodge City saw plenty of trouble over the twenty seasons that the show ran. Well-written and with a moral at the end of each story and its exploration of justice, morality, and the human condition, Westerns today wouldn’t be what they are without Gunsmoke.
10, ‘Wanted: Dead or Alive’ (1957 – 1959)The TV show that started Steve McQueen‘s legendary career. Back in the ’50s, when Westerns were more popular than today’s superheroes, the dream for any actor was to become the lead of their show or movie. It was also every TV actor’s dream to eventually make the leap to the big screen, but more often than not, that never worked out unless you were Steve McQueen.
Wanted: Dead or Alive was a simple Western about a traveling bounty hunter that would go from town to town taking out criminals. He was quick on the draw and an expert survivalist; no one could stop Josh Randall when he was on your trail. It’s a fun serialized black-and-white Western of old that helped launch the career of one of Hollywood’s most iconic actors.
9, ‘Hell on Wheels’ (2011 – 2016)
AMC’s Hell on Wheels was a welcome addition to the Western genre. Focusing on building the first transcontinental railroad, Hell on Wheels shows the trouble and tribulations of the men and women who gave their time and lives to connect the vast lands of open America.
Led by the incredible Anson Mount, as the gruff Civil War veteran turned pit boss, Cullen Bohannon, the series displays a wide cast of interesting characters. Following a linear story, Hell on Wheels is unlike the great black-and-white serial Westerns of the past, taking a more mature look into the world of the old West and showing just how truly wild it was before it was tamed by the railroads.
8, ‘Westworld’ (2016 – 2022)Westworld may now be considered more sci-fi than Western, but it was some of the greatest Western storytelling in recent years when the series first aired. Full of well-known Western tropes like a Man in Black and groups of murderous outlaws, Westworld kept things fresh with its sci-fi cyborg spin.
Westworld itself is a playground for the wealthy elite. A theme park full of sentient cyborgs clad in a Western facade used to amuse their human overlords. Westworld is a unique blend of Western and science fiction genres, with its setting in a futuristic theme park populated by lifelike androids. Also, the show’s strong ensemble cast and its thought-provoking storytelling have made it stand out in the TV landscape.
7, ‘Godless’ (2017
Set in the 1880s in the American West, Godless follows the story of a town called La Belle, which is inhabited almost entirely by women after a mining accident killed most of the men. The town is threatened by a notorious outlaw, Frank Griffin (Jeff Daniels), who is seeking revenge against his former protégé, Roy Goode (Jack O’Connell). Roy seeks refuge in La Belle and forms a bond with the women of the town as they prepare to defend themselves against Frank and his gang.
Godless is fantastic because it challenges established Western gender roles by giving women the lead role in the plot. La Belle’s female protagonists are strong, competent, and nuanced individuals who are not entirely determined by their relationships with men. Additionally, the show sensitively addresses the topics of trauma, loss, and redemption while showcasing breathtaking landscapes and cinematography that capture the beauty and brutality of the American West.
6, ‘The English’ (2022)
Set in 1890, The English follows Lady Cornelia Locke (Emily Blunt), an Englishwoman, travels to the West in search of vengeance against the man she believes is to blame for her son’s death. When Eli Whipp (Chaske Spencer), a former cavalry scout and native of the Pawnee Nation, arrives in Nebraska to claim the property he is due for his time in the US Army despite being informed that the white men will not pay their debt, their paths crossed.
With its purposeful genre vistas, dramatic close-ups, and dark silhouettes delivered with consistently superior performance on the small screen, The English is one of the most brilliantly photographed TV shows. Moreover, with a revisionist view of the American frontier that stays true to the landscape’s ability to terrify, and enthrall, the show is a masterwork in the Western genre.
5, ‘Yellowstone’ (2018 – )The Dutton family is not to be messed with. This modern Western sees the Dutton family fighting to keep hold of their land. Led by patriarch John Dutton (Kevin Costner), the Duttons have a slew of people vying for their land, from greedy land developers to opportunistic business people.
Taylor Sheridan knows what he’s doing when it comes to making excellent television, and Yellowstone is one of his best. With each actor bringing a wealth of depth to their character, the Dutton family will enamor you from the beginning. As they struggle to keep their land and family together, one thing’s for sure: the Duttons won’t go down without a fight. Moreover, the show’s blend of contemporary issues with classic Western tropes has made it a must-see of the genre and a hit with audiences.
4, ‘Longmire’ (2012 – 2017)
Based on Walt Longmire mystery novels by Craig Johnson, Longmire follows the life of Walt Longmire (Robert Taylor), a sheriff in Absaroka County, Wyoming. Longmire has been struggling since the passing of his wife, and his daughter Cady (Cassidy Freeman) has been pressuring him to make changes in his life.
Longmire excels because it successfully strikes a balance between the procedural aspects of a criminal drama and the emotional depth of a character-driven series. Also, Walt is a flawed but endearing lead who battles with the loss of his wife and the difficulties of being a sheriff in a changing society. Moreover, another distinguishing aspect of Longmire is its examination of Native American culture, which includes inquiries into problems of spirituality, tradition, and identity.
3, ‘1883’ (2021 – 2022)Taylor Sheridan has been on a roll in creating great television. A master at the Western genre, Sheridan continues to deliver deeply human stories with each series he writes. This time, he’s taking audiences to the Old West, where the land is wild, and the people are desperate.
Set one hundred and fifty years before Yellowstone, 1883 follows the Dutton family, along with a group of European immigrants, as they travel across the American West in pursuit of a place to call home. The series shows the origin story of the Dutton family and proves to be a powerful narrative that highlights the trials the family had to face to live free. Additionally, 1883‘s exploration of the American frontier and its themes of survival, family, and perseverance are sure to captivate audiences.
2, ‘Deadwood’ (2004 – 2006)
HBO has been creating hit shows since The Sopranos. When the show about a dysfunctional family of mobsters became a smash hit, HBO turned its eyes toward demystifying the Wild West with another hit show, Deadwood. A show loosely based on real events, Deadwood revealed the harsh lives of the people on the frontier.
Led by the two incredible actors Ian McShane, as the foul-mouthed bar owner Al Swearengen, and the always on-edge sheriff, Seth Bullock (Timothy Olyphant), Deadwood provided a more mature and realistic look into the world of the west. The show focused more on the human aspects of the time than the mythical elements of quick-draw duels and lovable outlaws.
1, ‘Justified’ (2010 – 2015)
No one’s quite as smooth and charming when they gun you down as Kentucky U.S Marshal Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant). This modern take on Westerns trades out horses for trucks and outlaws for meth dealers but keeps the cowboy hats and all the lawless fun of the Western genre.
Sent back to his hometown of Harlan, Kentucky, Marshal Givens must deal with an old rival turned gang leader, Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins), along with his criminal, alcoholic father (Raymond Barry). Justified delivers tense shootouts and a wide range of likable characters on both sides of the law, letting it live up to its Western roots.
No one’s quite as smooth and charming when they gun you down as Kentucky U.S Marshal Raylan Givens (Timothy Olyphant). This modern take on Westerns trades out horses for trucks and outlaws for meth dealers but keeps the cowboy hats and all the lawless fun of the Western genre.
Sent back to his hometown of Harlan, Kentucky, Marshal Givens must deal with an old rival turned gang leader, Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins), along with his criminal, alcoholic father (Raymond Barry). Justified delivers tense shootouts and a wide range of likable characters on both sides of the law, letting it live up to its Western roots.
