Top 5 Western TV Shows That Outshine Dutton Ranch

“Dutton Ranch” has captured the hearts of fans on Paramount+, with beloved characters Beth Dutton (Kelly Reilly) and Rip Wheeler (Cole Hauser) making the leap from rustic Montana to the dynamic landscape of Texas. As the first season nears its conclusion with another one already greenlit, die-hard fans might be in search of fresh viewing material to tide them over. Fortunately, we’ve curated a list of stellar shows to fill that void.

The western genre, especially its neo-Western subset, offers a wealth of captivating narratives to explore. For those seeking something as contemporary as “Dutton Ranch” but with potentially richer storytelling, five standout series merit attention. From other creations by Taylor Sheridan to “Weird West” stories and classic cowboy dramas, these selections are sure to banish the post-Dutton blues.

Notably absent are other series from the Yellowstone franchise, so don’t expect appearances by familiar characters. Our focus remains predominantly on neo-Westerns—modern tales that resonate with “Dutton Ranch” both in style and storytelling depth. However, these selections might take some detours into the classic Wild West. So, tighten your saddle straps as we showcase Western series that deserve a spot on your watchlist.

“The Madison,” while not fitting the mold of a classic or even neo-Western, still piques interest. This Taylor Sheridan creation diverts from cowboy-centric narratives, offering instead a poignant exploration of grief. The plot follows Stacy Clyburn (Michelle Pfeiffer), a liberal New Yorker, as she journeys to Montana to lay her husband Preston (Kurt Russell) to rest following his sudden demise in a plane crash among the Rockies.

Casting aside typical Western elements like high-stakes cattle drives or outlaw encounters, “The Madison” delivers a reflective exploration of love and mourning framed by Montana’s vast landscapes. The collision between the urban Clyburn family and the simpler, conservative way of life in rural Montana presents a profound shift from Sheridan’s norm. Enhanced by remarkable performances from Pfeiffer and Russell, this might just be Sheridan’s most emotionally resonant story yet.

Originally announced as a “Yellowstone” sequel/spin-off, “The Madison” is firmly its own thing. It may be set in the far reaches of Madison County, over an hour from Bozeman, but the story of the Clyburn family as they wrestle with their new normal is quietly profound. It’s not your usual shoot-’em-up neo-Western fare, but it’s no doubt Sheridan at his most refined.

For something just as family-oriented but far more traditional in its connection to the classic Western genre, “Joe Pickett” is probably the show for you. Initially a Spectrum original, the neo-Western mystery series moved to Paramount+ for its second (and sadly final) season. Based on the celebrated novels by author C.J. Box, “Joe Pickett” follows the titular Wyoming game warden (Michael Dorman) as he stumbles upon each new season-long mystery that threatens to turn his world upside down.

The first season is a stellar adaptation of Box’s first Pickett novel, “Open Season,” with elements of “Winterkill” peppered in, while the second deviates a bit from the source material by combining elements from several books together. But don’t let that stop you from jumping right in. Joe’s adventures are chock-full of Western traditions, as our hero seeks to protect his family (and the wild) from those who would encroach on all they hold dear — just not in the uber-violent Dutton family way.

Although the popularity of “Yellowstone” sparked the wildfire that got “Joe Pickett” greenlit in the first place, the budding genre resurgence wasn’t enough to keep the series around for too long. Sadly, this Paramount+ drama is one of those Western TV shows canceled far too soon. Still, “Joe Pickett” is a thrilling piece of crime television that deserves high praise for the way it balances family and mystery — and thankfully, Box still puts out a new book every year for those hoping for more.

Heading back to the Lone Star State, “The Son” is the only show on this list that could genuinely be considered a Western as much as it is a neo-Western. While the typical “Western genre” period ranges from around the time of the American Civil War to the late 1890s, this AMC drama covers not just one, but several time periods: the 1850s, 1915, and even the 1980s. In exploring these different eras of the American West, “The Son” deals with issues of legacy in ways that “Yellowstone” never quite could.

Based on the novel of the same name by Philipp Meyer, who developed the series alongside Lee Shipman and Brian McGreevy, the two-season drama follows the story of Eli McCullough (played by Jacob Lofland as a young man and later by Pierce Brosnan), from his abduction by a local Comanche tribe and coming-of-age to his later years as a cattle baron and oilman. Not only do we get to follow his story, but Season 2 even flashes forward to his granddaughter in her old age, who continues the family legacy well into the ’80s.

“The Son” premiered a year before “Yellowstone” and ended after 20 stellar episodes that tell the complete story of the McCullough family. Those looking for something reminiscent of the family drama and Texas aesthetics of “Dutton Ranch” will no doubt enjoy this thematic companion piece. Brosnan, in particular, is frighteningly good as the battle-worn McCullough patriarch.

Another neo-Western that blends in more classical interpretations of the Western genre, “Outer Range” is also the most “out there” of all the shows on this list. A “Weird Western” to its core, this Prime Video series follows Wyoming rancher Royal Abbott (Josh Brolin) who stumbles upon a black hole that’s sprouted in the west pasture of his family’s land. But there’s more to this oddity than meets the eye, as it doubles as a portal through time — one that has a mind of its own.

“Outer Range” is probably the most psychedelic neo-Western on television or streaming. The show gets incredibly bizarre, yet despite that, you’ll find yourself glued to the screen from the beginning to the end. This strange sci-fi Western is a blast, and Brolin and co-star Lili Taylor (who plays Royal’s wife Cecilia) steal the show as they struggle to keep their family together while their lives are threatened by the mysterious Autumn (Imogen Poots) and the threats of the neighboring Tillerson family.

Admittedly, “Outer Range” ends on a pretty massive cliffhanger as Prime Video axed the series before it had the chance to properly wrap up — but don’t let that dissuade you. The show is a thrilling revision of the genre that goes so far as to mash its past and present together into something quite unprecedented. Despite the lack of definitive answers, the questions will keep you watching.

Based on the popular neo-Western mystery novels by Craig Johnson, “Longmire” follows the eponymous character as he patrols the fictional Absaroka County, Wyoming. A modern-day lawman with traditional values, Sheriff Walt Longmire (Robert Taylor) represents “honesty and integrity” as he deals with threats from all sides. From local outlaws and reservation politics to East Coast gangs and corrupt real estate magnates, Walt struggles to do what’s right in a world that runs increasingly wrong.

With a strong supporting cast and excellent writing, “Longmire” is one of those Western-style procedurals that hits the nail on the head with just about every new development — it was also a trailblazer for Native American representation in modern television. The show was quite popular in its day, quickly becoming A&E’s highest-rated original drama before the network canceled the show after its third season. However, fans everywhere rejoiced when Netflix picked the show up, producing three more seasons for its streaming platform.

It may take a rewatch or two for you to notice all the small details on “Longmire,” but there’s no reason why you shouldn’t give it a shot. With 63 episodes, this neo-Western drama is one you’ll find yourself revisiting again and again. It’s a bit more straight-laced than “Dutton Ranch” or anything in the Yellowstone universe, but it also predated it by several years.