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The American Old West is often romanticized as this anarchic and chaotic frontier with the image of the gun-slinging, horse-riding, and tobacco-chewing cowboy as its perfect representation. Contemporary media was particularly instrumental in the popularisation of the Western United States. This period of mass English settlement in the 18th and 19th Centuries (encouraged by President Jefferson), clubbed with the media’s aggressive sensationalization, promoted the genre into popular culture. As the American frontier passed into history, its numerous and repeated depictions in comic books, films, and children’s toys, the myths of the West took a firm hold on the imagination of people all over the globe.
15. How to be a Cowboy (2021-)
‘How to be a Cowboy’ is a web series about real-life American cowboys. The six-episode inaugural season revolves around Dale Brisby, a self-proclaimed bull-riding wanderer who is the owner of a Texas ranch. With the help of his brother Leroy, friend Cheech, and interns Donnie and Jorden, Dale runs his expansive ranch. The series offers a candid and realistic depiction of the life of modern-day cowboys and the struggles they face in their everyday lives. A part of the series also focuses on the training of both Donnie and Jorden as future cowboys and cowgirls. The series also gives its audience a prolonged glimpse into the world of the cowboys, which has rarely been explored through documentarian lenses. Among all the characters in the series, Jorden’s journey is especially remarkable as she seeks to be successful in a space that is overwhelmingly dominated by men.
14. Hap and Leonard (2016-2018)
The eponymous protagonists are actually based on the characters created by Joe R. Lansdale. The author chronicled the tales of Hap and Leonard, two amateur investigators who operate out of the imaginary town of LaBorde in East Texas, in a series of novels. The best friends expend all their efforts to solve the heinous and harrowing crimes they come across. Bringing the roles to life in the TV series are James Purefoy and Michael Kenneth Williams.. ‘Hap and Leonard’ is based in the 80s and features a vast array of stories that cover different themes. There is lost treasure, a femme fatale, and a group of crazy killers that the protagonists must juggle. The very entertaining stories have drama, comedy, action, and violence, and fans of the show were quite heartbroken when it was not renewed for a fourth season. You should keep it in mind for when you want something that treads the same path as the Old West tales but in a less conventional manner.
13. Better Call Saul (2015-2022)
A spin-off and prequel to ‘Breaking Bad,’ which also makes an appearance on this list, ‘Better Call Saul’ revolves around the eponymous lawyer, active in the sandy and sunny city of Albuquerque, New Mexico. The show depicts Saul’s life before he adopted the Saul Goodman personality when he was still known as Jimmy McGill. At the start of the show, Jimmy struggles to establish himself as a respectable lawyer but oftentimes ends up using the tricks he has mastered as a con artist to win cases. As the story progresses, Jimmy becomes deeply involved with the criminal elements of his locality, which garners him the attention of quite a few powerful people. A significant part of the narrative is dedicated to the constantly developing relationship between Jimmy and fellow lawyer Kim Wexler, who becomes Jimmy’s wife in later seasons.
12. Heartland (2007-)
‘Heartland’ has built a stellar fan base since its premiere more than a decade ago. Lauren Brooke wrote a novel of the same name, which is what inspired the script. We meet the Fleming sisters and their grandfather, Jack Bartlett, as they overcome many trials and tribulations while living on the ranch. So what about the series makes it inherently Western? After all, one might argue that it relies heavily on drama to further the plot.
However, we believe that the very essence of the genre lies more with the themes it tackles than a specific kind of character on screen. Sure, the booted up cowboy will make you think of the Old West, and we’re not contesting this either. But it is also important to uncover the deeper meaning behind the plot. In conventional Westerns, we have the protagonist usually seeking revenge to make things right, albeit with the help of guns. While this exact element may be missing from ‘Heartland,’ the show still focuses on the themes of right versus wrong, family, love, compassion, and protecting what is important to you. After all, there is a reason that it is going into its 14th season.
11. Supernatural (2005-2020)
‘Supernatural’ is definitely going down in history as one of the most influential and popular shows of the decade. But for the uninitiated, the story follows the Winchester brothers as they take on evil and supernatural beings, including demons and ghosts. At its core, the show delivers a well-crafted narrative and explicates how the protagonists evolve as they keep encountering devilish creatures.
While it belongs to the horror genre, one could argue that the story is quite reminiscent of a Western. Instead of confronting the bad guy in the Old West, they simply meet their foes all across America. Furthermore, the ’67 Chevy Impala the brothers travel in while enjoying their favorite rock songs could be seen as the modern-day equivalent of the gallant horse. The plot really piles on the suspense, and with exceptional acting from Jared Padalecki and Jensen Ackles, this show is a must-watch.
10. Cowboy Bebop (2021 -)
Inspired by the anime series of the same name, ‘Cowboy Bebop’ is a science fiction western show developed by Christopher Yost. The series may not be strictly western as it is an amalgamation of several other genres but is still an exciting watch for fans of shows set in set in the West. ‘Cowboy Bebop’ revolves around bounty hunters who go after the most dangerous criminals in the galaxy. The ragtag group is led by Spike Spiegel, and they take on several life-threatening assignments, often saving the world in the process but only if they are paid the right price.
9. The Walking Dead (2010 -)
Based on Robert Kirkman and Tony Moore’s comic book of the same name, ‘The Walking Dead’ is a zombie apocalypse neo-western show developed by Frank Darabont. The series follows a group of fortunate survivors in a zombie apocalypse who face must fight for their lives with the constant existential threat staring at them. With their lives on the line, these survivors are forced to make complicated choices and compete with rival groups who are willing to go to any lengths for their own lives.
8. Breaking Bad (2008 – 2013)
‘Breaking Bad’ is the neo-western crime drama television series which, since its release in 2008, has been globally accoladed as one of the best shows ever made in television history. Created by the maverick genius Vince Gilligan, it originally aired on AMC for five seasons. Its inclusion on this list is because the premise is a one-of-a-kind, modern take on the American ‘Wild West’.
When Bryan Cranston, in his career-best performance of the high school chemistry teacher turned drug lord, Walter White, is clubbed with the backdrop of New Mexico, you get a tantalizing neo-western setting. Instead of the outlaws wearing cowboy hats and riding horses, ‘Breaking Bad’ shows them as otherwise domesticated individuals. The wilderness of the desert landscape is as crucial to the inherent wilderness of the characters as it is to the classic Western films of yore. In 2013, ‘Breaking Bad’ even entered the Guinness Book of World Records as the most critically acclaimed show of all time. A spin-off prequel series titled ‘Better Call Saul’ (made subsequently by Gilligan) comes highly recommended as well.
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7. Wynonna Earp (2016-)
This drama series beautifully integrates supernatural elements with a healthy dose of horror to give us a one of a kind product in the Western genre. Interestingly, it is based on a comic book series by Beau Smith. The story features the great-great-granddaughter of Wyatt Earp. (For those who don’t know about him, he is a historical figure who is known for being a gambler, lawman, and deputy marshal in the Old West in the 19th Century.)
On Wynonna’s 27th birthday, she realizes that she has special powers that enable her to bring revenants back to Hell. Usually, these animated corpses belong to those who were killed by her famous ancestor. Apart from this, she also battles many supernatural occurrences in order to break her family’s curse. If you’re still hesitant to check the show out despite this intriguing plot, we understand. However, it would be remiss if we did not tell you that ‘Wynonna Earp’ features marvelous acting by Melanie Scrofano, Shamier Anderson, Tim Rozon, Dominique Provost-Chalkley, and Katherine Barrell. Furthermore, this Canadian co-production really gives a unique twist to an otherwise male-dominated genre.
6. Country Comfort (2021)
Created by Caryn Lucas, ‘Country Comfort’ is a short-lived comedy series starring Katharine McPhee. The plot revolves around Bailey (McPhee), an up-and-coming country singer whose car starts having problems near the home of a cowboy named Beau and his family. Although Bailey initially knocks on the door of this family intending to ask for their help with her car, she ends up becoming the most recent nanny for Beau’s five children. Beau’s wife passed away about two years earlier, and though the children can be at times difficult, much of that stems from the grief of losing their mother. As the series progresses, the children come to appreciate Bailey’s presence in their lives, and in turn, Bailey realizes how important Beau and his family have become to her.
5. The Ranch (2016-2020)
Westerns usually have a reputation for being passionate, violent, and aggressive. ‘Au contraire, The Ranch’ is a comedy series. But we think that this is what makes the show so unique. It explores the lives of the Bennetts, who live at the ranch as they try to make the best of their situation. On the surface, it sounds like just another comedy show. But we think that ‘The Ranch’ actually modernizes the Western genre a lot. After all, the image most associated with the genre is that of a cowboy from an era before industrialization brought small municipalities to their knees. This show may not have the same look, but it incorporates many similar elements from the Old West stories. Also, by basing the premise in recent times, it gives us an opportunity to look at how a cowboy ranch exists in the 21st century.
The show stars Ashton Kutcher and Danny Masterson (who was later removed due to sexual harassment allegations) as the Bennett brothers. We get to see them share a relationship onscreen again after ‘That 70s Show.’ Sam Elliot plays their father, Beau, whereas their mother, Maggie, is brought to life by Debra Winger. So, the series also has a star-studded cast going for it. If you want something different within the genre, we recommend checking out ‘The Ranch.’
4. Damnation (2017-2018)
Seth Davenport is a man with a violent past. But to facilitate a strike against the greedy and corrupt local industrialists and agencies, he poses as a preacher. However, Creeley Turner is there to interrupt all his efforts. What the townspeople don’t know is that Seth and Creeley are estranged siblings. Set during the Great Depression, ‘Damnation’ dramatizes the American labor movements that took place in the 1930s. It stars Killian Scott, Logan Marshall-Green, and Sarah Jones. Although the series was canceled after just 1 season, fans have been dying for a sequel to this gritty story.
3. Longmire (2011-)
‘Longmire’ is an American modern Western crime show which was developed by John Coveny and Hunt Baldwin. It is based on the ‘Walt Longmire Mysteries,’ a series of novels by the best-selling author, Craig Johnson. Walt Longmire, a sheriff of the fictional Absaroka County, Wyoming, is the titular character, and the plot revolves around him investigating major crimes within his jurisdiction. The first three seasons of the show premiered on ‘A&E’, eventually becoming their highest-rated television series. However, when the network decided against renewing it, Netflix swooped in to salvage season four. Episodes of all six seasons are available for streaming online on the aforementioned platform.
2. Frontier (2016-)
Co-produced by Discovery Canada and Netflix, Frontier is a historical period drama that heavily borrows from the Western genre. Chronicling the North American fur trade in the late 1700s in Canada, it stars none other than our very own Khal Drogo, Jason Momoa. He plays the part-Irish and part Cree outlaw who is campaigning to breach the Hudson Bay’s company monopoly of the corrupt fur trade. An alluring plot combined with powerful performances ranks the show extremely high on our list.
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1. Godless (2017)
Named as one of the ten best TV series of the year by major publications, the Emmy-winning ‘Godless’ is a Netflix original production created by the Academy Award-nominated screenwriter, Scott Frank. This seven-episode series began production in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in September 2016. Hosting a star cast of Jack O’ Connell, Michelle Dockery, Scoot McNairy, Merrit Wever, Thomas Brodie Sangster, and Sam Waterston, the miniseries received positive reviews. The plot follows Roy Coode, an injured outlaw on the run from his former boss, the notorious criminal Frank Griffin, who takes refuge in an isolated mining town primarily governed by women. This series is packed with action and makes for one compelling watch.
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