15 Western TV Series That Flip the Genre on Its Head

Westerns usually focus on lone cowboys and wild, lawless lands to tell stories about fairness and staying alive. Today, many creators are shaking things up by adding fantasy or setting their stories in modern times. This keeps the genre fresh and exciting, while still paying tribute to the classic westerns we all know and love. The following shows prove how changing the setting and mood can completely transform a familiar type of story.

‘Westworld’ (2016–2022)

This sci-fi drama is set in a futuristic theme park filled with incredibly realistic robot ‘hosts.’ Wealthy guests can live out their fantasies in a detailed Old West setting. But the story takes a turn when these robots start becoming aware and questioning their existence. The show follows a complicated uprising, forcing viewers to consider the ethics of artificial intelligence and how humans treat those they see as less than themselves. It blends deep questions about what it means to be conscious with classic Western action.

‘The Mandalorian’ (2019–)

This series, set in the Star Wars galaxy, feels like a classic samurai western. It follows a lone bounty hunter journeying across the outer reaches of space, tasked with protecting a young child from the remnants of the Empire. Each episode is self-contained, similar to old western TV shows where the hero would arrive in a new town. Instead of cowboys and horses, you have futuristic technology like blasters and speeder bikes, but the show captures the same sense of danger and lawlessness as a classic western – just in space.

‘Firefly’ (2002)

As a sci-fi fan, I absolutely love ‘Firefly’! It’s about Captain Malcolm Reynolds and his crew, who are basically trying to survive after the wrong side won a big space war. What’s really cool is how it blends classic Western vibes with space travel – think frontier life, but with spaceships. They even have characters speaking both English and Mandarin, which is a neat touch. A lot of the planets they visit are really undeveloped, forcing people to live a pretty tough, old-fashioned life. It’s a show about fighting for your freedom against a powerful, controlling government, but it doesn’t take itself too seriously. There’s a lot of humor and some really fun heist-style plots mixed in with the more serious stuff about just trying to stay alive out in deep space.

‘Godless’ (2017)

A dangerous outlaw is on the hunt across New Mexico for the former member of his gang who turned against him. Their pursuit leads them to La Belle, a unique mining town where the vast majority of residents are women—a result of a devastating accident that claimed the lives of most of the male population. This series flips traditional Western tropes by showcasing women as the primary defenders against the incoming threat. With stunning visuals of the wide-open landscapes, the story offers a fresh take on the genre, focusing on how a community comes together to survive in the face of extreme violence.

‘Outer Range’ (2022–2024)

Royal Abbott, a Wyoming rancher, is struggling to protect his family and land from both a greedy rival and increasingly bizarre events. When a strange, dark anomaly appears on his property, the story takes a turn into the realm of science fiction and time travel. The show combines realistic family drama with unexplainable mysteries, using the vast Wyoming landscape to investigate the unknown – not just the wildness of the land itself. As the tension rises, Royal must fight to keep his world from being consumed by the supernatural hole and the ambitions of those who want to take everything from him.

‘Deadwood’ (2004–2006)

During the gold rush, the town of Deadwood transforms from a wild, lawless camp into a working society. The show features both real historical figures, like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane, and fictional characters, all brought to life with realistic and complex conversations. Unlike typical Westerns, Deadwood doesn’t glorify the Old West; instead, it shows the harsh realities, corruption, and brutality that came with expanding America. At the center of it all is Al Swearengen, a cunning saloon owner who controls the town through manipulation and a relentless pursuit of profit. Ultimately, the show offers a raw and unflinching look at how order can emerge from chaos.

‘Justified’ (2010–2015)

Justified follows Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens as he returns to his native Kentucky to uphold the law, often using methods reminiscent of the Old West. Based on the works of Elmore Leonard, the show transplants classic Western conflicts to modern-day Appalachia. The series centers around Raylan’s complicated relationship with Boyd Crowder, a childhood friend turned enemy, and explores the tension between family history and the demands of the legal system. Expect witty conversations and fast-paced action in this contemporary Western crime drama.

‘Wynonna Earp’ (2016–2021)

Wynonna Earp, the great-granddaughter of famous lawman Wyatt Earp, returns to her hometown to fight the ghosts of outlaws who have been reborn. She uses a magical gun called Peacemaker to banish demons and lift a curse that’s haunted her family for generations. The show blends horror and fantasy with the gritty feel of an old western town. It centers on a tough, independent woman who enjoys whiskey, isn’t afraid of a fight, and is fiercely protective of her sister. The story takes historical figures and old legends and gives them a modern, supernatural twist.

‘Preacher’ (2016–2019)

A preacher in a small Texas town finds himself possessed by a being created from an angel and a demon. He teams up with his former girlfriend and an Irish vampire to search for God, who has mysteriously disappeared from Heaven. Based on a graphic novel, the show is known for its darkly funny and extremely violent take on a journey through the American South. A frightening villain known as The Cowboy, inspired by a twisted Old West, adds to the chaos as the series dramatically reimagines religious and Western imagery.

‘The English’ (2022)

In 1890, a wealthy Englishwoman travels to the American West determined to avenge her son’s death. She unexpectedly teams up with a former Pawnee cavalry scout who guides her through the harsh landscape. The film stands out from typical Westerns with its striking use of color and light, creating a surreal and evocative mood. Beyond the thrilling chase, the story explores the harsh truths of colonialism and its impact on Native Americans, blending romance with profound sadness.

‘Yellowstone’ (2018–)

The Duttons own Montana’s biggest cattle ranch and will do almost anything to keep it, facing challenges from those wanting to build on their land and from a neighboring Native American reservation. John Dutton, the family patriarch, uses tough methods and political maneuvering to protect his family’s way of life. The show is a dramatic, fast-paced story filled with murder, secrets, and corporate intrigue. It explores the clash between the old traditions of ranching and the pressures of modern development, presenting a somewhat idealized but realistic view of cowboy life and the price that comes with it.

‘Kung Fu’ (1972–1975)

Kwai Chang Caine, a Shaolin monk, journeys across the American Old West, relying on his martial arts and spiritual training. He’s on a quest to find his brother while also dodging bounty hunters who believe he murdered a member of the Chinese Emperor’s family. The show uniquely combines the action of the Old West with Eastern philosophy and a focus on peaceful solutions. Through flashbacks to his monastery training, Caine shares valuable life lessons as he navigates the dangers of the frontier. It’s a truly original mix of Eastern wisdom and Western adventure.

‘The Adventures of Brisco County, Jr.’ (1993–1994)

After his father is murdered, a lawyer who graduated from Harvard becomes a bounty hunter, determined to bring the killers to justice. The show is a unique blend of Western and science fiction, featuring imaginative steampunk technology and a puzzling golden orb that seems to come from the future. Brisco combines clever gadgets and sharp thinking with good old-fashioned fighting skills to defeat his opponents. It’s a fun, action-packed series with a playful tone, complete with thrilling scenes involving rockets and trains. Ultimately, the show builds a captivating world that feels like a classic pulp adventure set in the Wild West.

‘Warrior’ (2019–2023)

This series follows a gifted martial artist who leaves China for San Francisco in the late 1800s and gets caught up in the violent world of Chinatown’s Tong Wars, working as an enforcer for a powerful criminal organization. Inspired by ideas from Bruce Lee, the show features incredible fight scenes and tells a story about the challenges faced by immigrants during a time of racial tension and corruption as the American West was being built. It offers a fresh perspective, focusing on the immigrant experience rather than the traditional Western frontier story.

‘Longmire’ (2012–2017)

Sheriff Walt Longmire works as a lawman in the made-up Absaroka County, Wyoming, still grieving the loss of his wife. The show is a crime drama that feels like a classic Western – quiet and spacious. Many investigations involve the nearby Cheyenne reservation, highlighting the challenges when tribal and local police work together. Walt prefers traditional detective skills and his understanding of the Wyoming landscape to relying on high-tech gadgets. The series offers a modern take on the American West, where old ways of life meet contemporary crime.

Tell us which genre-bending Western is your favorite in the comments.

2025-11-26 15:16