Top 10 Western series to binge: Yellowstone misses out on top spot to ‘masterpiece’ drama
Pierce Brosnan's The Son makes the list but who is number one?
(Image: AMC)When I was growing up, Western films mainly consisted of Clint Eastwood, John Wayne and Gary Cooper, and series like Rawhide, Gunsmoke or The Lone Ranger were rarely shown on television. However, somewhere in the last 30 years or so, the genre has reinvented itself into something wider, more honest and much sexier, and become even more popular.
Long gone are the days when Westerns were just about cowboys and outlaws, they now have all of that but blend gripping drama, complex morality, and stunning cinematography. There are so many to choose from nowadays it might seem overwhelming. Thankfully, review website Rotten Tomatoes has put together a list of the best Western series based on viewer scores.
From acclaimed series 1883 to Japanese remake Cowboy Bebop, you’re going to want to saddle up for these Western series. Are you ready to see which drama has beaten Kevin Costner and Yellowstone to number one? Let’s count them down.
Netflix's Cowboy Bebop is a live-action reboot of the original Japanese anime series of the same name. Set in a futuristic, spacefaring world it follows bounty hunters Spike Spiegel, Jet Black, Faye Valentine, Ed, and their dog Ein as they chase criminals across the galaxy. Exploring themes of loneliness, redemption, and existentialism it stars American Pie's John Cho, Mustafa Shakir, Daniella Pineda, Alex Hassell, and a Elena Satine.
Cowboy Bebop is available to stream on Netflix.
(Image: Netflix)
Lawmen: Bass Reeves is an eight‑episode Western drama that premiered on November 5, 2023, on Paramount . The series chronicles the life of Bass Reeves, played by David Oyelowo, from enslavement through his ascent as the first Black U.S. Marshal west of the Mississippi, capturing over 3,000 outlaws.
The supporting cast includes Dennis Quaid as Deputy Marshal Sherrill Lynn, Donald Sutherland as Judge Isaac Parker, Lauren E. Banks as Jennie Reeves, Demi Singleton as Sally Reeves, Forrest Goodluck as Billy Crow, and Barry Pepper as Esau Pierce. Created by Chad Feehan and executive produced by Taylor Sheridan.
You can watch it on Prime Video.
(Image: Paramount )
The Son is a Western‑drama series that aired on AMC from April 8, 2017 to June 29, 2019, spanning two seasons and 20 episodes. Based on Philipp Meyer’s 2013 novel, it follows Eli McCullough (Pierce Brosnan) who was kidnapped and raised by Comanches in the mid‑1800s (played younger by Jacob Lofland), and later becomes a ruthless cattle baron‑turned‑oil magnate in 1915.
The ensemble cast includes Henry Garrett as Pete McCullough, Paola Núñez as María García, Zahn McClarnon as Toshaway, Sydney Lucas as Jeannie McCullough, Jess Weixler, David Wilson Barnes, Carlos Bardem, and Elizabeth Frances. You can stream it for free on ITVX.
(Image: AMC)
Based on C.J. Box’s novels, Joe Pickett is set in the rural town of Saddlestring, Wyoming, and follows game warden Joe Pickett (Michael Dorman) and his wife Marybeth (Julianna Guill). Joe is pulled into a complex murder investigation involving influential towns people and a conspiracy tied to a lucrative pipeline deal.
Supporting cast includes Sharon Lawrence as Missy Vankeuren, Paul Sparks as Wacey Hedeman, and Mustafa Speaks as Nate Romanowski.
You can watch Joe Pickett on Prime Video.
(Image: Paramount )
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