10 Best Western Shows That Never Got The Attention They Deserved

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Whether it’s the rough-and-tumble setting of Deadwood or the iconic hat worn by Raylan Givens in Justified, the Western genre evokes a strong visual identity. However, the truly great Western shows go beyond surface-level imagery, revealing the genre’s surprising depth and exploring timeless themes of freedom and opportunity. Unfortunately, some of these deserving shows haven’t always received the widespread recognition they deserve.

Hell On Wheels

2011-2016

Hell on Wheels delivers everything you’d expect from a great Western: a dark tale of revenge, plenty of gunfights, and a setting rooted in the building of the Transcontinental Railroad – a true symbol of the American West. The show skillfully combines the personal journey of Cullen Bohannon with broader issues like ambition, slavery, and the pursuit of freedom.

The AMC series confidently tackles significant historical events, such as the Civil War and Abraham Lincoln’s assassination, successfully blending compelling character development with a broad, sweeping narrative. The story unfolds naturally, enabling the main character, Bohannon, to grow and overcome obstacles, which is a refreshing change from shows where characters remain static.

Godless

2017

Okay, let me tell you about Godless. With a fantastic cast – Jeff Daniels, Sam Waterston, Merritt Wever, and even Thomas Brodie-Sangster – this Netflix limited series is genuinely one of the best I’ve seen. But it’s more than just the actors. The world they’ve created is truly special. What sets Godless apart is how it handles the typical Western tropes of violence and hardship. It’s brilliantly woven into the story because the show is set in a town where almost everyone is a woman, a result of a tragic mining accident. It’s a really original take on the genre.

By offering a woman’s point of view, Godless explores themes like prostitution, LGBTQ+ relationships, and family in a way rarely seen in Westerns, adding a powerful emotional layer to the genre’s inherent violence. It’s a fresh take that still feels true to the spirit of the Western.

Outer Range

2022-2024

The recent popularity of neo-Westerns shows how adaptable the Western genre can be, and highlights the enduring appeal of cowboys and the idea of limitless possibilities. Even though Outer Range was unfortunately canceled after just two seasons, it proved how far the Western can be stretched in exciting and unexpected ways.

The show beautifully blends the grit of Westerns with the mystery of science fiction, and strong performances by Josh Brolin and Imogen Poots really make it work. At its heart, Outer Range explores familiar themes of loss, family, and the search for something new, but with a bizarre, unexplained hole appearing on a family ranch.

Billy The Kid

2022-2025

With Tom Blyth, known for his role in The Hunger Games, as Billy the Kid, this show is enjoyable if you focus on its visual appeal rather than strict historical accuracy. While it doesn’t perfectly reflect the real life of Billy the Kid, it beautifully captures the harsh realities of life in the Old West.

Billy is a captivating main character, skillfully portraying emotion even in the midst of action and violence. The show is enjoyable whether you already know the story or are discovering it for the first time. Though it concludes after three seasons, it’s a remarkably well-crafted series that deserves more recognition for its consistently engaging storyline.

Joe Pickett

2021-2023

As a huge cinema fan, especially of Westerns, I’ve always thought national parks are the perfect setting for them – those big, open landscapes just beg for it. And the show Joe Pickett really nails that feeling. It’s set in modern times, but it captures everything I love about classic Westerns: the fight to protect wild lands from greedy corporations, dangerous criminals, and a determined man doing everything he can for his family. It’s a fantastic combination!

The show’s compelling story and believable main character, Joe Pickett, will keep you hooked. It blends a realistic, high-pressure atmosphere with intriguing mystery. While other shows like Untamed (despite its own issues) have also found an audience, Joe Pickett‘s story still resonates, even though it was unfortunately canceled after just two seasons.

The English

2022

It’s surprising that The English, starring Emily Blunt, didn’t get more attention. Blunt doesn’t just act – her portrayal of Lady Cornelia Locke is one of her strongest, adding real depth and a new take to the classic revenge tale. The film’s visuals, direction, and story are all equally impressive and match the quality of her performance.

As a Western fan, I was definitely getting the classic gunfights I expected from The English, but the violence felt different – really powerful and stayed with me. There’s even a shootout that’s more effective because you don’t actually see it! Honestly, it’s a show you need to check out, but fair warning: it’s a pretty heartbreaking story, and it doesn’t shy away from that sadness like a lot of Westerns do.

The Good Lord Bird

2020

Despite winning an Emmy and receiving overwhelmingly positive reviews – currently holding a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes – the limited series The Good Lord Bird hasn’t become a widely discussed show. Based on the acclaimed novel, the series is praised for accurately portraying history and shedding light on the actions of John Brown, a key figure leading up to the Civil War.

Narrated by the character Onion Shackleford, The Good Lord Bird isn’t afraid to bend the truth a little, and this actually strengthens the show’s emotional impact. Created by Ethan Hawke and produced by Blumhouse, it had all the ingredients to become a breakout hit.

That Dirty Black Bag

2022

Inspired by the classic Spaghetti Westerns of the 1960s, That Dirty Black Bag is a visually striking and action-packed series designed for pure entertainment. It’s a bit unusual, and deliberately avoids having a traditional hero, pitting Red Bill against Arthur McCoy, letting the audience simply enjoy the exciting showdown.

I really enjoyed That Dirty Black Bag, and I was bummed to hear its future is still up in the air. It was originally planned for three seasons, but after only one, AMC hasn’t officially said whether it’s been cancelled or if we’ll get more. One of the things that drew me in was Dominic Cooper – he was fantastic in Preacher, and that show proved he’s great at playing characters in these kinds of unique, stylized worlds. He just fits the vibe.

Comanche Moon

2008

As a fan of the Lonesome Dove adaptations, I have to say Comanche Moon is a worthy addition to the series. It’s the latest, and final, piece in what’s been a really impressive collection of TV shows based on Larry McMurtry’s novels, and it wraps things up nicely after starting way back in 1989. While it might not be the strongest of the bunch, it’s a solid story and a good way to finish the saga.

Val Kilmer delivers a standout performance, supported by a fantastic cast including Melanie Lynskey, Linda Cardellini, Elizabeth Banks, and Steve Zahn. Fans of Lonesome Dove will definitely want to watch – Larry McMurtry’s close involvement guarantees it captures the spirit of the books. But you don’t need to be familiar with the source material to enjoy the show.

Texas Rising

2015

With a strong cast including Brendan Fraser, Ray Liotta, Bill Paxton, and a standout performance by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, Texas Rising brings some serious star power to the History Channel. What sets it apart is that, unlike most Alamo-focused shows, it tells the story of what happened after the famous battle, and the channel allows for some creative storytelling.

I really appreciated that this show didn’t try to simplify things by making any one side the ‘good guys’ or ‘bad guys’ – there were so many different groups involved, and they all had their reasons for doing what they did. It reminded me a bit of other History Channel series like Hatfields & McCoys and The Bible in that it doesn’t just tell you what to think. Texas Rising is a really compelling Western that actually made me want to learn more and form my own opinions about what happened.

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2026-02-22 20:21