If you’re anything like us, you’re still mourning the loss of Longmire, one of the best modern Western dramas to grace our screens. It was a show that boasted an all-star cast of characters, incredible storylines, and hauntingly beautiful scenery. But, fear not, we have good news. There are plenty of other shows like Longmire that will fill the void.
Here’s a list of the top shows like Longmire that you need to watch right now:
1. Yellowstone
If you’re in the market for a modern Western drama with some serious stakes, look no further than Yellowstone. Kevin Costner is at his best as John Dutton, the patriarch of a powerful ranching family in Montana. The show tackles themes of loyalty, betrayal, and survival, as the Duttons fight to maintain control of their land in the face of outside threats.
A Modern Western Drama
At its core, Yellowstone is a show about the American West and the people who call it home. In many ways, it’s a show that feels like a spiritual successor to Longmire, with its focus on the complicated power dynamics of rural communities.
Intriguing Family Dynamics
Like Longmire, Yellowstone is a show that places a heavy emphasis on relationships. In particular, the dynamic between John Dutton and his children is a major driving force of the show. Watching them navigate the often-treacherous waters of family, loyalty, and power is a thrill from start to finish.
The Battle for Land and Power
Behind every great Western is a story of land, power, and the people fighting to control both. Yellowstone masterfully weaves this narrative into its plot, exploring the complex history of the American West and the people who have laid claim to it.
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2. Justified
Justified is a show that’s all about one man’s quest for justice in a lawless land. Timothy Olyphant stars as Raylan Givens, a U.S. Marshal who finds himself transferred back to his hometown in rural Kentucky. What follows is a tense, gritty, and often-dark exploration of the criminal underworld in rural America.
A Lawman in a Lawless Land
Like Longmire, Justified is a show that puts the focus on a lawman who’s trying to do the right thing. Raylan Givens is a fascinating protagonist, with a complicated past and a deep-seated sense of justice.
Complex Relationships and Rivalries
One of the many strengths of Justified is its incredible cast of characters. From Raylan’s childhood friend/current criminal Boyd Crowder, to his boss Art Mullen, to the various criminals he comes into contact with, everyone is fully fleshed out and fascinating to watch.
The Dark Side of Rural America
Justified isn’t afraid to explore the seedy underbelly of rural America. From drug trafficking, to corruption, to simple greed, the show pulls no punches in its portrayal of the criminal underworld.
3. Hell on Wheels
If you’re looking for a show that combines Western themes with a historical period piece, look no further than Hell on Wheels. The show follows the construction of the first transcontinental railroad, and the people who worked (and fought) to make it a reality.
The Wild West and the Railroad
Like Longmire, Hell on Wheels is a show that’s very much rooted in the American West. But it’s also a show that explores a different kind of frontier – the expansion of the railroad and the impact it had on the landscape and people of the West.
A Tale of Revenge and Redemption
The show’s protagonist, Cullen Bohannon, is a former Confederate soldier with a dark past. His quest for revenge propels much of the show’s plot, but it’s also a show about redemption and the search for a new way of life.
Diverse and Compelling Characters
The cast of Hell on Wheels is full of interesting, complex characters. From freed slaves working on the railroad, to Native Americans trying to protect their land, to corrupt politicians and businessmen, the show boasts a wide range of perspectives.
4. Deadwood
Deadwood is a show that’s often considered one of the greatest Western dramas of all time. Set in the late 1800s in the titular town of Deadwood, South Dakota, the show explores the lives of the people who built the town and the forces that threaten to tear it apart.
A Historical Setting
Like Hell on Wheels, Deadwood is a show that’s rooted in a specific time and place in American history. But its exploration of the Wild West and the people who built it feels more intimate and personal.
A Town on the Brink
Deadwood is a town that’s constantly on the edge of collapse – from gunfights in the streets, to corrupt businessmen, to deadly epidemics, there’s never a dull moment in this rough-and-tumble place.
A Cast of Characters Like You’ve Never Seen
One of the major draws of Deadwood is its incredible cast of characters. From the sharp-tongued Al Swearengen, to wild man Jim “Wild Bill” Hickok, to the quiet and stoic Seth Bullock, everyone is fascinating to watch.
5. Tudors
While Tudors might seem like an odd choice for a list of shows to watch after Longmire, hear us out. This historical drama takes us back to 16th century England, and explores the tangled web of power and politics surrounding King Henry VIII.
A Unique Historical Setting
Unlike the other shows on this list, Tudors is not a Western. But it is a show that explores many of the same themes – power, loyalty, family, and morality. And the historical setting – with its intricate costumes, stunning locations, and court intrigue – is like nothing else on TV.
A Man Driven by Ambition
Like Longmire, Tudors is a show anchored by a fascinating protagonist. King Henry VIII is a force of nature – his ambition, his ego, his lust – all of it makes for riveting television.
For a show about courtly intrigue and palace politics, Tudors has a lot of swordfights, jousts, and battles. It’s a thrilling show that never gets bogged down in talking heads.
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6. Ozark
Ozark is a show that has been compared to Breaking Bad, and for good reason. The show follows the Byrde family as they flee to the Ozarks and try to set up a money-laundering scheme for a Mexican drug cartel. What follows is a tense and often-dark exploration of the criminal underworld.
Like Longmire, Ozark places a heavy emphasis on relationships – in this case, the strained dynamic between the members of the Byrde family. Watching them try to navigate the criminal underworld and keep their family together is a nail-biting thrill ride.
From the Byrde family themselves, to the various criminals and law enforcement officials they come into contact with, Ozark is a show full of interesting and complex characters.
At its core, Ozark is a show about what happens when people do terrible things for the sake of money and power. It’s a messy, tangled, and ultimately-tragic story that pulls no punches.
7. Peaky Blinders
Peaky Blinders is a show that takes us back to post-World War I England, where the titular gang is trying to make a name for themselves in the criminal underworld. Led by the charismatic and ruthless Thomas Shelby, the Peaky Blinders are a force to be reckoned with.
Like Deadwood, Peaky Blinders is a show that’s very much of its time and place. But its exploration of post-WWI England – with its social upheaval, class tension, and criminal activity – feels fresh and unique.
Peaky Blinders is full of interesting characters, from Thomas Shelby himself, to his aunt Polly, to his various enemies and allies. But what really makes the show stand out is how well it handles the complex relationships between these characters.
Peaky Blinders is a show that’s not afraid to dole out violence and darkness in equal measure. It’s a world where people constantly have to fight to stay alive, and the consequences of failure are deadly.
Why These Shows Will Fill the Longmire Void
It’s not easy to replace a show as unique and captivating as Longmire. But luckily, there are a handful of shows that share similar themes and storylines, and will undoubtedly appeal to the Longmire fanbase.
Similar Themes and Storylines
Most of the shows on this list have one overarching theme in common: a battle for power and land. This is something that Longmire explored in-depth, with its rural Wyoming setting and Walt Longmire’s quest to bring justice and order to his community. Just as Longmire was not afraid to delve into the complicated power dynamics of small towns, many of these other shows do the same.
Strong Character Development
One of the many things that made Longmire so special was its incredible cast of characters. From Walt Longmire himself, to his deputy Victoria Moretti, to his best friend Henry Standing Bear, the show was full of interesting, multidimensional people. The shows on this list are no different, with their own incredible casts and character arcs that will have you hooked from the very first episode.
Captivating Scenery and Settings
Last but certainly not least, a show like Longmire wouldn’t be complete without its breathtaking scenery. The stunning Wyoming landscape is almost a character in its own right, and adds to the overall ambiance of the show. Many of the shows on this list similarly boast beautiful settings that will transport you to a different world.
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Conclusion
There you have it – 7 shows like Longmire that you’ll surely love. Whether you’re in the mood for a classic Western, a period piece, or a modern thriller, there’s something on this list for everyone. So why not give them a try? Who knows – you just might find your new favorite show.
