The Western genre as a whole predates TV by decades. By the time it spread its influence from the big to the small screen, it was already a major phenomenon, being a major part of cinematic history, and becoming immortalized in pop culture. We have an entire arsenal of compelling Western stories, from the iconic and legendary to the most unforgettable. But these stories, particularly on TV, aren’t all remembered as much as they should.
Today, Westerns continue to thrive on TV, thanks to contemporary masterpieces that have reinvented the genre and breathed new life into it, such as Landman and the wildly popular Yellowstone. But let’s take a look at the trailblazing, unique, and perfectly written Western shows from history that are criminally underrated. They’re not the most remembered, most celebrated, or even all that remarkable, but they have a spark that kept them perfect from their first episodes to their finales. From misunderstood cult classics to arguably some of the greatest Westerns to ever be released on TV, here are the unappreciated shows Western lovers need to see.
‘That Dirty Black Bag’ (2022)
In this gritty, unapologetically violent homage to Spaghetti Westerns, That Dirty Black Bag is an eight-part miniseries that aired in 2022. It takes what you love about that particular subgenre and elevates it with high-quality production values, brutally realistic depictions of frontier life, and is contrasted by gorgeous cinematography that will completely immerse you in the spectacle.
At the center of its story is a tale of murder, greed, corruption, and madness, all revolving around a shady small Western town sheriff with a dark past as he meets his match after encountering a bloodthirsty bounty hunter, with a sickening need to decapitate and collect his victims’ severed heads, who is carving a brutal path of revenge. It’s a hauntingly bleak and unrelentingly violent eight-part masterpiece with not a single wasted episode or dull moment. It utilizes its small window of time to tell a gripping tale that doesn’t paint a romanticized picture of the West and just wants to draw you into the bloody mayhem of this unpredictable story.
‘The English’ (2022)
In this gripping new take on revisionist Westerns, The English is a compelling six-part miniseries that aired on the BBC and Amazon Prime in 2022. Written and directed by Hugo Blick, it’s a subversive and unique Western tale that takes viewers through the old frontier on an emotional journey that deconstructs the romantic side of this iconic point in history. Emily Blunt and Chaske Spencer star as a scorned English woman and a Pawnee native U.S. Army scout who combine forces to slay the man who killed the English woman’s son.
The English is a refreshing spin on the Western formula, complete with a story that deeply deconstructs the traditional narrative structure for these types of stories, and strives to push for a darker, more mature, and ultimately bleaker tone. Performances are beyond spectacular, as Blunt and Spencer have impeccable chemistry and easily slip into their roles, providing decent development and making the audience understand their characters, even when they’re not traditional heroes. The whole series is a different approach that sadly hasn’t gotten much notice in recent years, but it’s still worth a watch, and can quite amaze any new viewers.
‘Longmire’ (2012–2017)
Based on a best-selling mystery novel series by Craig Johnson, Longmire ran from 2012 to 2014 on A&E, and was eventually picked up by Netflix for an additional three years. A strikingly gripping, unexpectedly compelling, and ultimately misunderstood gem of a show, it’s impressive how good this Western is, despite its several cancellations. Starring Robert Taylor as the titular Walt Longmire, it follows this Wyoming sheriff as he tries to keep the peace within his jurisdiction.
While not the most polished, original, or even exciting Western series, Longmire excels exponentially with its character development and story structure. Robert Taylor was perfectly cast as the stoic, resilient Longmire, and his performance is elevated by a capable supporting cast that all play equally interesting characters. The pacing is near-perfect, and mystery elements can really draw viewers into each episode. It may not be entirely perfect, but its positive far outweighs the bad, making it a must-watch for even those who aren’t really fans of Westerns.
‘Outer Range’ (2022–2024)
Delving more into the realm of science fiction, next is Outer Range, an early 2020s neo-Western TV series created by Brian Watkins. Taking the idea of a Western in a whole different direction, it takes viewers on a tense, mind-bending journey while following a ranch family in Wyoming as they find their lives in turmoil when the appearance of a mysterious black hole on their land, coupled with the new arrival of an equally mysterious woman and a rival family bidding for their land, throws their world upside down.
Outer Range is truly unlike any Western on this list. It’s a true standout of the genre in recent years, being a completely original story that mixes genres into a powerful blend that’s purely entertaining. Sure, it’s not the most well-crafted series, considering it meanders at points and doesn’t fully explore its unique ideas, which ultimately led to its abrupt cancellation after two seasons. However, still, it feels fresh and original, and does something not many other Westerns, other than Westworld, have tried to do for the genre. Overall, it’s flawed but notable.
‘Godless’ (2017)
The 2017 miniseries Godless takes history, drama, and action and combines them into a thrilling viewing experience that Western fans really should take notice of. Loosely inspired by true events, it’s an engaging seven-parter that can instantly grip you into the narrative, as it follows an outlaw (played by Jack O’Connell) as he abandons his gang and finds refuge in the old mining town of La Belle, New Mexico. After getting to know this tragic town and the residents, he soon fights for the people, along with the help of a hardened widowed rancher (Michelle Dockery), when his old gang eventually finds him.
Godless is quite a fascinating and well-structured Western miniseries that manages to tell an effective and emotional story and compelling character drama all within a few episodes. The writing is top-notch, the performances of the main cast, especially Michelle Dockery as the capable Alice Fletcher, are exceptional and fully flushed out, and the story strikes the right balance between being an exciting Western and a memorable history lesson. It may not have produced a huge splash after its release, but Godless deserves better attention for what it gest right.
‘Dark Winds’ (2022–Present)
AMC’s Dark Winds is one of the most underrated Western series in recent memory, even while it’s still running strong on the network. This utterly fascinating, truly one-of-a-kind show is a masterclass in storytelling and psychological thrills, combining crime, drama, and a neo-Western setting into a cohesive blend of entertainment. Starring Zahn McClarnon, it follows three officers of the Navajo Tribal Police as they investigate a series of disturbing, violent crimes around the Four Corners of the Southwestern United States in the 1970s.
Dark Winds takes you on a twisted and mind-bending journey into a world full of murder, corruption, and deceit. It’s the mystery and psychological tension that truly grips you right from the first episode and onward, and each episode enthralls you with more suspense and surprise twists. While it’s currently still airing, it hasn’t received the proper recognition from general audiences or even the Emmys, but it still has a devoted fan base that understands its unique brilliance and hopes that it gets the acclaim that it deserves.
‘Hell on Wheels’ (2011–2016)
Finally, AMC didn’t produce just one highly underrated Western masterpiece; it had to create two. Lastly is Hell on Wheels, the groundbreaking Western historical drama series that aired from 2011 to 2016, creating quite a remarkable impact on the network and on the genre. Starring an incredible cast, including Anson Mount, Colm Meaney, Dominique McElligott, and Robin McLeavy, it follows the workers and mercenaries tasked to ensure the construction of a railroad system across the Great Plains in a post-Civil War America.
This series features powerhouse performances, excellent character drama, compelling writing, and gorgeous cinematography to give audiences the feeling of watching a Western epic. It’s dark and gritty, and perfectly captures a more raw, brutally realistic feel of the old West, which enhances the historical elements and makes it all the more fascinating to watch. Hell on Wheels captivates from start to finish, providing great entertainment for all viewers to see.
