The incredible back catalog ofWesternliterature has served as the inspiration for many great TV series featuring bandits, cowboys, and outlaws. From classic black-and-white half-hour adventures to epic generation-spanning stories, the popularity of the Western genre on television has never really faltered. While the types of stories being told may have changed over the years, one thing has remained consistent, and that’s greatWestern-style books being adaptedfor the small screen.
Some of thebest Western TV shows of all timewere based on pre-existing novels or literary characters. Manylong-running Western seriesused an author’s work as the initial inspiration for a show before expanding upon those characters and their world across hundreds of episodes. As a lover of Western television, I find thatit’s always enjoyable to go back and read the source materialto see where it all started.
The A&E and later Netflix Western dramaLongmireadapted theWalt Longmire Mysteriesseries of novels by Craig Johnsonfor a contemporary exploration of a Wyoming sheriff. Starring Robert Taylor as the titular lawman, this officer’s strong sense of duty, justice, and introspection captured the essence of classic Western heroes. With a deep sense of grief casting a dark shadow over Longmire’s widowed character, this series explored the moral complexities of law enforcement.
With an insightful mix of politics, Native American mysticism, and small-town drama at its core,Longmirewas about the clash between old-school values and modern ways of life. As a deeply engaging series with a compelling ensemble cast,Longmirecaptured the essence of Johnson’s original novels, of which he has authored over 20. With plenty of wit and high-stakes emotional drama,Longmireshowcased the continued popularity of Westerns on television.
The anthology Western seriesDick Powell’s Zane Grey Theatreused the novels of Zane Grey as inspiration for many of its episodes. With shifting casts and ever-changing storylines, it was impressive how each episode managed to condense down the complexities of Grey’s action-packed stories into half-hour adventures. The series host, Dick Powell, even commented (viaHartford Courant) on the challenge of trying to “compress” a novel into such a short span of time.
Dick Powell’s Zane Grey Theatretold all kinds of stories over its 146 episodes, although most centered on characters being put into moral conundrums and forced to make tough decisions between what’s right and what’s easy. With classic Western themes of justice and fortitude, while not every episode was based on Grey’s work, they all capture the core of his writing style and values.
It’s incredible to think that the 1902 novelThe Virginian: A Horseman of the Plainsby Owen Wister served as the basis for one of the longest-running Western TV shows of all time, which had 249 episodes across its nine-season run. WithJames Drury starring as the Virginian, the tough foreman of the Shiloh Ranch, other actors like John Dehner, Charles Bickford, John McIntire, and Stewart Granger all joined the cast as various main characters over the years.
WhileThe Virginianwas initially based on Wister’s novel, it only used it as loose inspiration and went off in its own direction, incorporating characters not seen in the book. As television’s first 90-minute Western, the extended adventures inThe Virginianmade it one of the most popular TV shows of its time. One episode ofThe Virginianeven served as a backdoor pilot for the spin-off seriesLaredo, which ran for two seasons.
The romantic WesternRansom Canyonadapted the novel by Texan author Jodi Thomas to tell a story of love, loss, and loyalty in the striking landscape of Texas Hill Country. Featuring three rancher families all locked into a contest to control the land, these once feuding forces find common ground when outsider forces threaten their way of life. As a contemporary Western story,Ransom Canyonmixed classic themes and old-school cowboy stories with soap opera-style drama.
WhileRansom Canyonreceived mixed reviews from critics, it was an enjoyable adaptation of Thomas’s novel that will serve as a guilty pleasure for those who like their Westerns with a bit of spice. Through its compelling ensemble cast, beautiful setting, and interesting character relationships,Ransom Canyonticked all the right boxes for an enjoyable, bingeable Netflix romantic Western.
TheLonesome Doveprequel,Dead Man’s Walk, adapted Larry McMurtry’s novel to tell the story of two young men joining the Texas Rangers unit on a mission to annex Santa Fe. With just three episodes, the script wasadapted by McMurtry along with the futureBrokeback Mountainscreenwriter Diana Ossana. As an old-fashioned adventure that sees its characters traversing the American frontier, whileDead Man’s Walkdoesn’t quite live up to the outstanding legacy ofLonesome Dove, it still remains an impressive miniseries.
With a stacked cast that included F. Murray Abraham, Keith Carradine, and Harry Dean Stanton, DeadMan’s Walkstayed true to its source material as it showcased Texas Rangers facing off against Comanche warriors. As just one of many adaptations of McMurtry’s series, those who lovedLonesome Doveshould check outDead Man’s Walkas well asComanche Moon, which adapted the last novel in the series.
The Sonwas a novel and later TV series by Philipp Meyer that expanded the author’s exploration of the American myth seen in his previous novel,American Rust. With an epic generation-spanning narrative,The Sontells the powerful story of Eli McCullough, who, as a boy, was abducted by Comanches and raised as their adoptive son before growing up to become a ruthless cattle baron turned oilman. With Pierce Brosnan as the adult Eli, the series explored thought-provoking themes of cultural identity, colonialism, and survival.
Over the course of just two seasons,The Sonpainted a vivid portrait of Eli and stood as a moving and complex character study. By switching between Eli’s violent early life and later endeavors as an older man, it’s fascinating to witness how our upbringing shapes the person we eventually become and how trauma impacts this. With stunning visuals and a great performance from Brosnan,The Sonwas a worthy adaptation of Meyer’s book.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning novelLonesome Doveby Larry McMurtrywas adapted into an all-time great Western miniseries in 1989. With acting legend Robert Duvall taking the lead, this story of two former Texas Rangers reigniting their spirit for adventure as they joined a cattle drive to the Montana Territory was a masterclass in powerful storytelling. With just four episodes,Lonesome Dovecaptured the power of the novel with an epic and inspired depiction.
Lonesome Dovereceived overwhelming critical acclaim, with Duvall’s performance being particularly praised. As the recipient of 18 Emmy nominations, it took home awards for its casting, makeup, costumes, music, sound, and directing. By powerfully bringing McMurtry’s book to life on the small screen, the choice to adaptLonesome Doveas a miniseries rather than a movie was a stroke of genius, as it allowed the required time needed to tell the entire epic tale.
Justifiedwas not only the best Western series of modern times, but it also stands out as one of the greatest shows ever made. This neo-Western series starred Timothy Olyphant as Deputy Marshal Raylan Givens, the quiet lawman with a dark past who plays by his own rules.Based on stories by Elmore Leonard, this violent drama brought to mind the stylish appeal and mature themes of classic Western movies from times past.
As a modern-dayWesternthat featured Givens forced to confront his past after he was sent back to work in his hometown, the tension-filled storylines, fantastic characters, and high-stakes drama ofJustifiedwere truly engrossing. With a cast that includes a standout performance from Walton Goggins as Boyd Crowder,Justifiedkept its quality high throughout its six seasons. While the show finished its run in 2015, it did return for the limited sequel seriesJustified: City Primeval, which saw Olyphant return as Givens.
