# Beyond Yellowstone: 10 Great Western TV Shows Not From Taylor Sheridan
Let’s be honest, Taylor Sheridan is the king of the modern Western. With smash hits like Yellowstone and its many spinoffs, he’s brought the cowboy genre roaring back into the mainstream. It seems like you can’t flip through channels without seeing a rugged character staring off into a sunset over the plains of Montana or Texas.
And that’s great! He makes incredible, gripping television.
But what happens when you’ve binged every last episode? What if you’re craving a different kind of Western? The good news is, the genre is vast and full of amazing stories told by other brilliant creators. Long before the Dutton family saddled up, television was filled with iconic Westerns that set the stage for everything we love today.
So, if you’re looking to explore beyond the Sheridan-verse, here are some of the best Western TV shows to add to your watchlist.
## The Classics That Built the Genre
Before anti-heroes and complex moral questions became the norm, TV Westerns were the ultimate comfort food. They were about clear heroes, dastardly villains, and the simple struggle to build a life on the frontier. These are the shows our parents and grandparents grew up on, and they still hold up.
Some of the absolute must-watch classics include:
- Gunsmoke: For 20 seasons, Marshal Matt Dillon kept the peace in Dodge City. It’s one of the longest-running TV dramas ever for a reason. It’s the undisputed titan of the genre.
- Bonanza: This show was less about shootouts and more about family. Following the adventures of the Cartwright family on their Ponderosa Ranch, it was a heartfelt and colorful look at life in the Old West.
- The Rifleman: How cool was Lucas McCain and his custom Winchester rifle? This series stood out by focusing on the powerful bond between a single father and his young son, a unique and touching dynamic for its time.
## The New Frontier: Modern Western Masterpieces
As television evolved, so did the Western. Creators started to explore the darker, grittier, and more complicated realities of the American West. These shows aren’t afraid to get their hands dirty, and they are some of the best dramas ever made.
Gritty Tales from History
If you love the historical feel of shows like 1883, you absolutely have to check out Deadwood. Set in a real-life lawless town in South Dakota during the gold rush, this HBO series is famous for its incredible dialogue and unforgettable characters. It’s a raw and unfiltered look at how a community is forged from mud, blood, and sheer willpower.
Another fantastic choice is Hell on Wheels, which follows the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad after the Civil War. It’s a story of revenge, ambition, and the brutal cost of progress in a divided nation.
The Cowboy in Today’s World
Who says a Western has to be set in the 1800s? Neo-Westerns bring classic cowboy themes into our modern world. Justified is a perfect example, featuring U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, a modern lawman who acts a lot like an old-school gunslinger. He’s quick with a witty one-liner and even quicker on the draw.
Similarly, Longmire follows a stoic, old-fashioned sheriff in rural Wyoming. It’s a fantastic crime drama that beautifully blends mystery with the soul of a classic Western.
Fresh and Unique Takes
The Western genre is also a playground for fresh ideas. The Netflix limited series Godless turns the tables by focusing on a town run almost entirely by women. When a dangerous outlaw gang shows up, these women prove they can be just as tough as any man. For something completely different, Westworld blends the Western with mind-bending science fiction, asking deep questions about what it means to be human.
So, while we’ll always love the drama of the Duttons, there’s a whole world of incredible Western TV shows out there waiting to be discovered.
What are some of your favorite Westerns? Did we miss a classic you love? Share your thoughts in the comments below