How the New Western TV Shows Differ: Ransom Canyon, 1923 and More

As the interest in cowboys continues to grow, it only makes sense that there’s more and more Western TV shows to choose from.

Yellowstone kicked Us off when it premiered in 2018. The Paramount+ series introduced viewers to the fictional Dutton family, who own the largest ranch in Montana. While some viewers came for Kevin Costner‘s portrayal of family patriarch John Dutton — and stayed for the show’s other leads including Kelly Reilly, Wes Bentley, Gil Birmingham, Cole Hauser and Kelsey Asbille – others were drawn to the dramatic story lines and surprising twists.

After Yellowstone became a hit series, spinoffs such as 1883, 1923 and The Madison were picked up by the network. Netflix followed suit, getting into the cowboy aesthetic with shows such as Ransom Canyon.

“At its core, Ransom Canyon isn’t just a town. It’s an idea. It’s the painful longing for your first love. It’s the burning desire to protect your family. It’s cowboys and lovers, grifters and thieves. Lust, deceit, heartache, home. Ransom has it all,” creator April Blair told Tudum in March 2025 about the series. “I think people are going to fall in love with this little slice of Texas and the dramas and romances that we created there.”

Keep scrolling for a guide to each western series to keep an eye out for:

‘1923’ (Paramount+)

The Yellowstone prequel follows a generation of the Dutton family in 1923 during Prohibition, drought and the early stages of the Great Depression. 1923 is also a sequel to the 1883 spinoff, with Isabel May reprising her role as narrator Elsa Dutton.

1923 stars Helen Mirren, Harrison Ford, Brandon Sklenar, Julia Schlaepfer, Jerome Flynn, Darren Mann and May. The rest of the cast includes Brian Geraghty, Aminah Nieves, Michelle Randolph and Timothy Dalton.

‘American Primeval’ (Netflix)

Set during the Utah War in 1857, the miniseries examined the fight to gain control of the American West. American Primeval followed the divide between the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and cultures in the Utah Territory — specifically centering on the events surrounding the Mountain Meadows Massacre.

The series starred Taylor Kitsch, Betty Gilpin, Dane DeHaan, Saura Lightfoot-Leon, Derek Hinkey, Joe Tippett, Jai Courtney and more.

Related: A Guide to ‘Yellowstone’ and Its Many Spinoffs

Since Yellowstone debuted in 2018, the story of the Dutton family has had enough potential to inspire six spinoffs (and counting) to add to the Paramount Network roster. Yellowstone focuses on a powerful family that runs the largest contiguous ranch in the United States. Amid their success, the ranchers must deal with attacks coming from […]

‘Ransom Canyon’ (Netflix)

Based on Jodi Thomas‘ book series of the same name, Ransom Canyon premieres in April 2025. The series follows a Texas town full of drama, romance and adventure set against the backdrop of a contemporary western saga.

Ransom Canyon featured a good mix of star-studded cast members including Minka Kelly, Josh Duhamel and James Brolin in addition to up and coming stars Lizzy Greene, Garrett Wareing, Jack Schumacher, Andrew Liner and more.