5 Western TV shows to watch if you love Westworld

Robots and science fiction aside, HBO’s Westworld has introduced a new legion of TV fans to the Western genre. Here’s a spotlight on 5 other TV Westerns that will have you reveling in the fun of the frontier.

In no particular order — except for the first one, which is one of the greatest television shows that has ever been made — here are five great Western TV series that are currently available for your streaming pleasure. (To check?)

Many of the shows blend together the stories of true historical figures, places and events. They are twisted into new forms with engaging fictional creations. Perhaps you simply wish to dip your toe into a short event series. That’s fine, we have you covered. Or, maybe you’d prefer to stay awake for nights on end and binge on multiple seasons. It’s time to settle in for a fest of dust and feuds.

Deadwood (2004-2006)

Set in 1876, Deadwood is a gold-rush town of absolute chaos, violence, sexism and bigotry. The star of the HBO show is Ian McShane as Al Swearengen, the local saloon owner and crime boss. He is also perfectly named, as the cussing and vulgarity in this series is quite confronting. Timothy Olyphant, who currently stars in The Santa Clarita Diet, plays Seth Bullock. Bullock is a former Marshall who arrives in town to sell shovels to the gold diggers. As more and more hell breaks loose, Bullock is reluctantly tasked to clean up the mess. There are whispers that HBO has a Deadwood movie in the works. This series is absolutely captivating and was cancelled way too soon — so a movie would easily be well welcomed.

Wynonna Earp (2016-)

Wynonna Earp throws a modern-day supernatural spin on the Western genre. Melanie Scrofano plays the great-great-granddaughter of legendary law enforcer Wyatt Earp. In the Syfy show, She wields a magical handgun called the “Peacemaker”, and sets to rid the territory called Purgatory of revenants and demons. Revenants are outlaws killed by Wyatt Earp, resurrected now as demons by an Earp Curse. While no one can ever replace Buffy as the ultimate slayer,Wynonna Earp is cheeky, cheesy and entertaining. It is a tongue-in-cheek adventure and perfect for fans of procedural supernatural hunting shows — where a new demon is presented each week and the hunter needs to take them down. You can enjoy the first two seasons while waiting for the third to be released in May.

Godless (2017)

Godless is a 7-part Netflix miniseries series set in New Mexico. It is a sparkling flash of adventure with sweeping vistas and train robberies. Jack O’Connell stars as Ray Coode, an outlaw on the run from his criminal boss Frank Griffin, played by Jeff Daniels. Coode arrives in a strange town populated almost entirely by women. He takes refuge with Alice Fletcher, played by Downton Abbey’s Michelle Dockery. If you like Westerns packed with Western tropes, a sprinkling of humor and a tad more estrogen, Godless is for you.

Hatfields & McCoys (2012)

Hatfields & McCoys is a three-episode miniseries produced by The History Channel, based on the historical feud between the two families. It stars Bill Paxton as the stoic “Randall” McCoy and Kevin Costner as the ruthless “Devil Anse” Hatfield. The casting is brilliant, the acting is superb, and the world-building and cinematography transports us back in time. Though it takes time to introduce the back story and arrive at a full-blown gang war, the delay builds tension and adds authenticity to this historic family feud.

Hell on Wheels (2011-2016)

AMC’s Hell on Wheels refers to the nomadic camp of workers and suppliers who move across the Great Plains as they construct the First Transcontinental Railway. Anson Mount, more recently seen as Black Bolt in Marvel’s Inhumans, plays Cullen Bohannon. Bohannon is a former Confederate soldier who takes on the role as foreman of the railway. Colm Meaney plays his boss, railway financier “Doc” Durrant. Intriguing supporting characters include Robin McLeavy as the gutsy brothel worker Eva, and Christopher Heyerdahl as Thor Gundersen, aka “The Swede.” Gunderson is truly nasty as Durrant’s head of security, and let’s face it, Heyerdahl knows how to play creepy well, as evident in his other roles as Sam in Van Helsing and Marcus Volturi in The Twilight series.

Have a favorite Western TV show that didn’t make the list? Let us know your other favorites in the comments!

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