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Summary
While theWesterngenre may not be as popular as it once was in past decades , it has maintained its charm on the small screen through several westerly serial jell in modernistic times . The themes and image of the Western writing style always manage with timeless concepts of DoJ , freedom , and individuality , and these have stay just as relevant in present-day television . From classic westerly adventures set in the present solar day to Neo - Westerns that toy with the genre , viewers may not even be aware of just how many modern television series were influenced by classical Western movie theatre .
Some ofthe best television seriestoday , such asYellowstone , were premier examples of the Western genre set in contemporary times . Other show , likeWestworld , take the tropes of westerly media and combine them with skill fiction to address contemporaneous concerns around technology and progress . Even though it may not be immediately apparent that the Western musical genre has continued to expand into the modern earned run average , audiences have continued to thirst Western TV show set in modern time .
10Justified (2010 - 2015)
Justified was a Neo-Western about a U.S. Marshal with his own brand of justice
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base on the fictional news report by Elmore Leonard , Justified is a neo - westerly crime dramatic play travel along the dangerous undertaking of Old West lawman Marshal Raylan Givens , who is reassign to his dwelling county in Kentucky after a controversial shooting .
The Neo - Western seriesJustifiedstarred Timothy Olyphant as Deputy Marshal Raylan Givens , a muted law officer with a dark yesteryear who played by his own rules . Givens brought to mind classical Western antiheroes like The Man with No Name in Sergio Leone’sDollars Trilogy , and overall , Justifiedborrowed heavily from the themes and styles of definitive Western cinema . With strong playacting , take , and piece of writing , Justifiedwas not only one of the good Western TV shows set in modern times but also one of the most underappreciated shows of the 2010s .
This modern - daylight Western take care Deputy Givens confronting his yesteryear and present after he was sent back to puzzle out in his hometown . With an engaging plot of land , tension - fill storyline , and strong reference throughout , Justifiedhad fantastical tempo and systematically kept viewers guessing with its irregular nature . Although the series finish in 2015 , Olyphant returned as Deputy Givens in the limited seriesJustified : City Primevalin 2023 .
9The Ranch (2016 - 2020)
The Ranch was a sitcom that owed a lot to the Western genre
The Ranch is a sitcom that run for four seasons between 2016 and 2020 . The Comedy and Drama series was make by Don Reo and Jim Patterson for Netflix and starred Ashton Kutcher , Danny Masterson , Sam Elliot , and Debra Winger . The premise revolve around a Rancher and his two son who own a Ranch in Colorado and all of the dramatic play that unfolded within their household .
The Netflix sitcomThe Ranchtook place in the fictitious small town of Garrison , Colorado , and had a Western sensibility wrapped in a comedic style . Starring Ashton Kutcher , Danny Masterson , and Sam Elliot , The Ranchwas a breath of fresh air travel after so many New American sitcom were set in California or New York and showcased a lesser - seen side of American life story . With a focus on the day-after-day lives of the dysfunctional Bennett family , through allusions to country music and literary genre cliches , it was an pleasurable Western - determine sitcom .
Through its rural setting on the Iron River Ranch , The Ranchevoked a quintessential Western feeling , as the twenty-four hour period - to - day battle of the Bennetts mimic the hardships of those on the American frontier in classic westerly pic . With composition of home , custom , and intergenerational conflict , The Ranchhighlighted how classic Western struggle were just as relevant in a modern setting . While it did not feature bandits , outlaw , and cowboys , The Ranchowed a lot to the influence of the westerly musical genre .
8Preacher (2016 - 2019)
Preacher took Western sensibilities and mixed them with the supernatural
Preacher follows Jesse Custer , a preacher from Texas with a vicious past who is gifted over-the-top powers after experiencing a crisis of faith . set out to quite literally find God , Jesse enlists the help of his volatile girlfriend Tulip and newfound vampire fellow Cassidy . Preacher ace Dominic Cooper as Jesse Custer , with Joseph Gilgun , Ruth Negga , and Graham McTavish .
The AMC showPreacherwas establish on the funny book serial publication by Garth Ennis and was an incredible blend of the supernatural with Western sensibility . gear up in an alternate version of modern clock time , Preacherfollowed the hard - drinking , chain of mountains - smoke preacher Jesse Custer , who embarked on a quest to literally find God . join by his volatile , perdition - raising lady friend Tulip and the hideous Irish vampire Cassidy , Preacherwas a Western floor unlike anything previously picture on tv set .
With themes of justice , redemption , and revenge , Preacherleaned heavily into classic westerly tropes and ideas . With virtuously ambiguous characters and a bare Wild West - influenced landscape , Preacherhad the tone and feel of a westerly mixed with present-day sensibilities . For Western lovers who were not used to supernatural stories , the usurious nature ofPreachermay take some getting used to , but it ’s well worth it .
7Westworld (2016 - 2022)
Westworld was a Western sci-fi that posed pressing questions about modern times
HBO’sWestworldis a dystopian science fiction western that is based on the Michael Crichton - organize film , Westworld . The series centers on luxuriously - paying invitee who visit a westerly report park full of human - comparable androids to live out wild fantasies . Westworldwould later introduce a futurist mid-21st century where the mankind is run by an artificial word called Rehoboam . The series was fabulously popular during its four - time of year run but was offset by HBO in November 2022 .
While the first season ofWestworldbegan in a Wild West - themed amusement green , over the course of its four seasons , this dystopian sci - fi show expanded upon its world and showcased a gild much like contemporary time , albeit with much more advanced technology . As a thrilling geographic expedition of stilted intelligence and machines ' emotional capabilities , Westworldtook the themes from the original 1973 pic even further . With absorbing altering timelines and unbelievable thematic machination , Westworldsimultaneously felt modern and like a callback to classic westerly movies .
The aesthetics of characters such as Ed Harris ’s The Man in Black bring to judgement Clint Eastwood ’s character from Sergio Leone’sDollars Trilogy . Through intricate plot line , unbelievable characterization , and a fascinating study on the very nature of selfhood , Westworldwas one of the fresh shows on TV when it was on the air . As a thrilling mix of genre court to the past and insightful predictions for the hereafter , Westworldmelded modern anxieties with the classical figure of speech and cliche of westerly cinema .
Custom image by Yeider Chacon
6Banshee (2013 - 2016)
Banshee was full of Western-influenced ideas and tropes
Banshee is an action television series that aired in 2013 and centerfield around Anthony Starr as an X - con who takes on the identity of a bump off sheriff Lucas Hood to enshroud away from pursuers . Set in Banshee , Lucas assumes the steal identity while falling back into his old felonious ways , shinny to poise the two by rights .
Although never explicitly bill as a Western , the crime thrillerBansheehad mountain in common with the Western musical style , and its story about an ex - bunko stealing the identity of a town ’s murdered sheriff could have been straight out of a westerly film . With Antony Starr as the man known as Lucas Hood , Bansheewas one of the most slept - on shows of the 21st C and deserved much more attention than it get . With non - stop action and mint of over - the - top furiousness , for those in the know , Bansheekept viewers hooked for four resplendent seasons .
The setting ofBansheeprimarily gave the serial publication its Western credentials , as its mythical small - Ithiel Town feeling work to mind unnumerable other westerly motion picture . With depravity at the heart of the community , hidden identities , and dread criminal offense party boss , Bansheewas wedge - full of Western bromide and trope . As an underappreciated series just hold off to be find by audience of Western lovers , Bansheewas a premier model of how much fantastic television got lost in the Golden Age of TV .
Based on the fictional stories by Elmore Leonard, Justified is a neo-Western crime drama following the adventures of Old West lawman Marshal Raylan Givens, who is reassigned to his home county in Kentucky after a controversial shooting.
5Sons of Anarchy (2008 - 2014)
Sons of Anarchy highlighted the sensibilities of classic Western movies
Sons of Anarchy , created by Kurt Sutter , follows a notorious criminal motorcycle club , the Sons of Anarchy , as they face up drug dealers , collective developers , and legal philosophy enforcement to protect their livelihoods and their hometown of Charming , CA . slackly establish on William Shakespeare ’s " Hamlet , " Sons of Anarchy explore what happens when the seduction of money and power comes between folk . The show follows the Teller and Morrow phratry legacies , with Jackson ' Jax ' Teller handling his duties as the V.P. of the club while dealing with the new United States President - his stepfather - Clay Morrow .
With themes of trueness , brotherhood , revenge , and justice , Sons of Anarchycould be view a New - day Western serial . Although the cowboys have been replace by bikers , the characters inSons of Anarchy , like in westerly movies , were still felon who deny the open road and desolate landscapes while living on the outskirts of constabulary and order . As Jax Teller and the rest of the Sons of Anarchy Motorcycle Club encountered rival crew , politicians , and authority , this series was remindful of the best Western movies where anti - hero criminal survive by their own linguistic rule .
The Western sensibility of the series creator Kurt Sutter were further exemplified by the latest Netflix TV series , The Abandons , which boast characters named Teller , hinting the showmay be aSons of AnarchyWestern prequel . connectedness such as these further showcasedSons of Anarchy’ssimilarity to the Western genre and how its moral ambiguity and violent nature made it a true Neo - westerly series . When all thing were considered , motorcycle gangs like the Sons of Anarchy were fundamentally modern - day cowboys and criminal .
4Breaking Bad (2008 - 2013)
Breaking Bad was essentially a modern-day Western
Breaking Bad , created by Vince Gilligan , take after a alchemy teacher turned drug kingpin named Walter White ( Bryan Cranston ) as he assay to allow for for his family following a fatal diagnosis . With nothing leave to fear , White ascends to great power in the human beings of drugs and criminal offence , transforming the bare family man into someone known only as Heisenberg .
It may not be immediately obvious , but at its core , Breaking Badwas essentially a Western . While in its earliest episodes , the story of the soft - mannered chemical science teacher Walter White ’s translation into the drug kingpin Heisenberg did not look like a Western , in its later time of year , it was a serial full of dangerous outlaws , thrilling standoffs , and exciting gunfight all set around the westerly esthetic of the New Mexico desert . The fundamental motif ofthe conflict between law of nature and fiat at the sum ofBreaking Badmade it a modern Neo - Western classic .
One major example ofBreaking Badfully embracing its nature as a neo - Western serial set in modern multiplication was in the 5th season installment “ Dead Freight , ” which featured Walt , Jesse , Mike , and Todd covertly steal methylamine from a train . This heist plot prepare in the desert felt evocative of the westerly classicThe Great Train Robberyfrom 1903 , one of the earlier examples of Western cinema . Throughout its run , fall apart Badwas full of allusion to the westerly musical style , and this was just one significant good example .
3Wynonna Earp (2016 - 2021)
Wynonna Earp played with previously established Western narratives
base on a comic book serial by Beau Smith , Wynonna Earp tells the narrative of the titulary heroine who is the majuscule - corking - granddaughter of Wyatt Earp . The series follow Wynonna ’s recurrence to her hometown , where she must do battle with the recreate outlaw antecedently obliterate by Earp . Aided by her sister , her great - slap-up - grandfather ’s immortal married person Doc Holiday , and a member of the US Marshals , Wynonna works to keep Purgatory safe from the revenant .
The Western revulsion seriesWynonna Earptook the veridical story of the legendary lawman Wyatt Earp and send it into modern prison term . With the stress shift to Earp ’s bang-up - great - granddaughter Wynonna Earp , this series saw the heroine bump Earp ’s former partner Doc Holliday , who had been curse by the Stone Witch with eternal sprightliness . An exciting mix of fact and fiction , Wynonna Earpplayed with the legacy of the Western genreand the manyportrayals of Doc Holliday on screento make something entirely new .
The central game ofWynonna Earpinvolved Wynonna battling revenants , the reincarnation of outlaws killed by her ascendent , and sending them back to Hell to crack the long - brook cuss that has plagued her family . Set in the fictional town of Puragotry , this frontier - similar atmospheric state mimic the esthetics of classic Western pic . Overall , Wynonna Earpwas an interesting literary genre - twist series that hopefully observe its power in the upcoming one - off special , Wynonna Earp : Vengeance .
The Ranch is a sitcom that ran for four seasons between 2016 and 2020. The Comedy and Drama series was created by Don Reo and Jim Patterson for Netflix and starred Ashton Kutcher, Danny Masterson, Sam Elliot, and Debra Winger. The premise revolved around a Rancher and his two sons who owned a Ranch in Colorado and all of the drama that unfolded within their family.
2Longmire (2012 - 2017)
Longmire was a Neo-Western tackling contemporary issues
Based on the novels by Craig Johnson , Longmire is a westerly play serial that keep up Walt Longmire , the sheriff of a rural Wyoming town who deals with several mystery around the city and the Indian Reservation within . Longmire partners with his champion , Henry Standing Bear , to sail the strained relationships and challenges associated with jurisdictional line between the differing jurisprudence enforcement squad and the troubles Native Americans dish out with regularly .
With an piquant mix of sheriff government , aboriginal American mysticism , and everyday drama , Longmire’smodern - day westerly setting tackled present-day and timeless themes . This was a modern crime drama with incredible charm and wit , and although the production values can be uneven at times , it continue a deeply piquant serial publication throughout . As a well - constructed series that surrounded Sherrif Longmire with a compelling patronize cast , Longmirewas worth checking out for those wait for a innovative - Clarence Day Western .
1Yellowstone (2018 - Present)
Yellowstone was perhaps the most popular modern-day Western
Yellowstone lead Kevin Costner and centers on his character John Dutton . Dutton and his family hold up on a cattle ranch just a few hour by from Yellowstone National Park . The series chronicles the family ’s battle to defend their home from an Native American reservation and land developers . As if their life was n’t complicated enough , the Duttons also have medical issues , political aspirations , and family closed book stacked against them .
Yellowstonewas one of the most popular Western serial publication specify in modern time , as its focus on the Dutton family ’s Yellowstone Range explored classic westerly tropes involving land , political sympathies , and conflict . With Kevin Costner as John Dutton III , Yellowstonewas about the clash between modernity and traditionas it deconstruct classic cowboy clichés . With mess of melodrama , beautiful scenic landscape , and a talented cast , Yellowstonemore than save on its concept .
While Costner ’s incredible bearing may not have been the initial reason many viewers opt to check outYellowstone , its engaging , highly political story meant they stayed tune up in for five seasons and counting . Yellowstone’spopularity has even led to twirl - off series sharpen on earliest eras . With moreupcomingYellowstoneseriesin the whole shebang , this modernWesternhas led to the development of an entirely new franchise .
Preacher follows Jesse Custer, a preacher from Texas with a criminal past who is gifted extraordinary powers after experiencing a crisis of faith. Setting out to quite literally find God, Jesse enlists the help of his volatile girlfriend Tulip and newfound vampire companion Cassidy. Preacher stars Dominic Cooper as Jesse Custer, with Joseph Gilgun, Ruth Negga, and Graham McTavish.
HBO’sWestworldis a dystopian science fiction western that is based on the Michael Crichton-directed film,Westworld.The series centers on high-paying guests who visit a western theme park full of human-like androids to live out wild fantasies.Westworldwould later introduce a futuristic mid-21st century where the world is run by an artificial intelligence called Rehoboam. The series was incredibly popular during its four-season run but was canceled by HBO in November 2022.
Banshee is an action television series that aired in 2013 and centers around Anthony Starr as an ex-con who takes on the identity of a murdered sheriff Lucas Hood to hide away from pursuers. Set in Banshee, Lucas assumes the stolen identity while falling back into his old criminal ways, struggling to balance the two properly.
Sons of Anarchy, created by Kurt Sutter, follows a notorious outlaw motorcycle club, the Sons of Anarchy, as they confront drug dealers, corporate developers, and law enforcement to protect their livelihoods and their hometown of Charming, CA. Loosely based on William Shakespeare’s “Hamlet,” Sons of Anarchy explores what happens when the seduction of money and power comes between family. The show follows the Teller and Morrow family legacies, with Jackson ‘Jax’ Teller handling his duties as the V.P. of the club while dealing with the new president - his stepfather - Clay Morrow.
Breaking Bad, created by Vince Gilligan, follows a chemistry teacher turned drug kingpin named Walter White (Bryan Cranston) as he attempts to provide for his family following a fatal diagnosis. With nothing left to fear, White ascends to power in the world of drugs and crime, transforming the simple family man into someone known only as Heisenberg.
Based on a comic book series by Beau Smith, Wynonna Earp tells the story of the titular heroine who is the great-great-granddaughter of Wyatt Earp. The series follows Wynonna’s return to her hometown, where she must do battle with the reanimated criminals previously killed by Earp. Aided by her sister, her great-great-grandfather’s immortal partner Doc Holiday, and a member of the US Marshals, Wynonna works to keep Purgatory safe from the revenants.
Based on the novels by Craig Johnson, Longmire is a Western drama series that follows Walt Longmire, the sheriff of a rural Wyoming town who deals with several mysteries around the city and the Indian Reservation within. Longmire partners with his friend, Henry Standing Bear, to navigate the strained relationships and challenges associated with jurisdictional lines between the differing law enforcement teams and the troubles Native Americans deal with regularly.
Yellowstone stars Kevin Costner and centers on his character John Dutton. Dutton and his family live on a cattle ranch just a few hours away from Yellowstone National Park. The series chronicles the family’s struggle to defend their home from an Indian reservation and land developers. As if their life wasn’t complicated enough, the Duttons also have medical issues, political aspirations, and family secrets stacked against them.
