Let Yellowstone Go, This Forgotten HBO Show Did Westerns on TV First and Better

Mention a western TV show and most people's minds go straight to Yellowstone. And that's not surprising, considering how many viewers Taylor Sheridan 's Paramount Plus series has attracted over the years. But it's not the first, and certainly not the only, series in this genre worthy of your attention.

If you're feeling sad about the upcoming Yellowstone finale and need a show about the Wild West to distract you, why not take a trip back to the 2000s classic? HBO's Deadwood might be the perfect choice.

Is Deadwood a Good Show?

From 2002 to 2006, HBO's Deadwood followed the events that took place in Deadwood, South Dakota in the 1870s, before and after the area was annexed by the Dakota Territory. Based on real-life events, the show's team worked to ensure not only historical accuracy, but also a realistic portrayal of life in the Wild West.

Throughout its three seasons, the show received many positive reviews and was well received by critics around the world. Deadwood has also won eight Emmy Awards out of 28 nominations and a Golden Globe Award for Ian McShane as Best Actor in a Television Drama Series.

Like many other HBO shows, Deadwood never shied away from darker themes and more scandalous footage. The show also featured many intriguing historical figures, such as the famous lawman and gambler Wyatt Earp, the patriarch of the Hearst business dynasty George Hearst, and the ruthless frontierswoman Calamity Jane.

Is There a Sequel to Deadwood?

What's even better about Deadwood is that the show has an official sequel in the form of a movie. It was released 13 years after the series finale, in 2019, and follows the celebration of South Dakota’s statehood in 1889, with the majority of past and current Deadwood residents present on viewers’ screens.

Not only does Deadwood: The Movie suggest a second part to the beloved story and offers fans a chance to dive deep into the Deadwood universe again, it also serves as proof that not every sequel is worse than the original.

The movie has a 98% rating on Rotten Tomatoes and is available for streaming on Max, just like the original series. So if the journey through the show isn't enough to satisfy your Western cravings, the movie will definitely do the trick.