15 Western TV Series That Flip the Genre on Its Head

The Western genre traditionally relies on solitary cowboys and lawless frontiers to explore themes of justice and survival. Modern storytellers often subvert these established tropes by introducing supernatural elements or shifting the timeline to the present day. These creative decisions breathe new life into the category while honoring the spirit of classic spaghetti westerns. The following series demonstrate how flexibility in setting and tone can completely redefine a familiar genre.

‘Westworld’ (2016–2022)

This science fiction drama presents a technologically advanced theme park populated by android hosts. Guests pay high prices to indulge their wildest fantasies within an authentic Old West simulation. The narrative shifts when the robotic inhabitants begin to gain sentience and question the nature of their reality. Viewers watch a complex rebellion unfold that challenges the morality of artificial intelligence and human cruelty. The show combines philosophical questions about consciousness with traditional gunfighter imagery.

‘The Mandalorian’ (2019–)

Set within the vast Star Wars universe this series adopts the structure of a classic samurai western. A solitary bounty hunter travels the outer reaches of the galaxy while protecting a mysterious infant from imperial remnants. The episodic nature mirrors television westerns of the past where the hero visits a new town each week. High-tech blasters replace six-shooters while speeder bikes serve as the horses of this futuristic frontier. It successfully translates the lawlessness of the American West into a space opera setting.

‘Firefly’ (2002)

Captain Malcolm Reynolds leads a ragtag crew aboard a transport ship after losing a civil war against a central alliance. The show creates a unique fusion of space exploration and frontier culture where characters speak a mix of English and Mandarin. Planets on the outer rim lack advanced technology and force inhabitants to live much like 19th-century pioneers. This cult classic focuses on the struggle for freedom against an authoritarian government. The narrative balances humor and heist elements with the gritty reality of survival in deep space.

‘Godless’ (2017)

An outlaw terrorizes the New Mexico territory while hunting down a former member of his gang who betrayed him. The chase leads to La Belle which is a mining town governed almost entirely by women after a tragic accident killed most of the men. This limited series subverts gender roles by placing women at the forefront of the defense against the approaching bandits. The cinematography captures the vast landscapes typical of the genre while telling a distinctly revisionist story. It explores community resilience in the face of overwhelming violence.

‘Outer Range’ (2022–2024)

Rancher Royal Abbott fights to keep his land and family together in the face of encroaching development and strange occurrences. The discovery of a mysterious black void in his pasture introduces metaphysical and time-travel elements to the rural setting. The show blends a grounded family drama with high-concept science fiction mysteries that defy explanation. Tension builds as a rival family tries to seize the land while the supernatural hole threatens to swallow everything. This series uses the Wyoming wilderness to explore the unknown rather than just the untamed.

‘Deadwood’ (2004–2006)

The town of Deadwood grows from a chaotic settlement into a functioning society during the gold rush era. Historical figures like Wild Bill Hickok and Calamity Jane interact with fictional characters in a narrative famous for its complex dialogue. The show strips away the romanticism of the Old West to reveal the filth and corruption behind American expansionism. Al Swearengen serves as a ruthless saloon owner who manipulates the political landscape for profit. It stands as a gritty deconstruction of how civilization rises from lawlessness.

‘Justified’ (2010–2015)

Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens returns to his home state of Kentucky to enforce the law with his own brand of 19th-century justice. The series adapts Elmore Leonard’s writing to transpose the showdowns of the Old West into a modern Appalachian setting. Givens navigates a criminal landscape populated by his former coal-mining friend turned nemesis Boyd Crowder. The show focuses on the conflict between family legacies and the constraints of the legal system. Sharp dialogue and quick-draw shootouts define this neo-western crime drama.

‘Wynonna Earp’ (2016–2021)

The great-granddaughter of legendary lawman Wyatt Earp returns to her hometown to battle reincarnated outlaws. Wynonna wields a supernatural revolver called Peacemaker to send demons back to hell and break a family curse. The series mixes horror and fantasy with the dusty aesthetics of a small frontier town. It features a strong female lead who embraces whiskey and violence while protecting her sister. The narrative reimagines historical figures and folklore within a contemporary supernatural context.

‘Preacher’ (2016–2019)

A small-town Texas preacher becomes possessed by a powerful entity born from a union between an angel and a demon. He enlists the help of his ex-girlfriend and an Irish vampire to find God who has gone missing from heaven. The show adapts a graphic novel that delights in blasphemous humor and excessive violence across the American South. The Cowboy serves as a terrifying antagonist straight out of a hellish version of the Old West. This series completely upends religious and western iconography for a chaotic road trip.

‘The English’ (2022)

An aristocratic Englishwoman arrives in the West in 1890 to seek revenge against the man she blames for her son’s death. She forms an unlikely alliance with a Pawnee ex-cavalry scout who helps her navigate the dangerous terrain. The visual style utilizes vibrant colors and stark lighting to create a dreamlike atmosphere unlike traditional dusty westerns. The plot confronts the brutal realities of colonialism and the displacement of Indigenous peoples. It functions as a chase thriller that is both romantic and deeply tragic.

‘Yellowstone’ (2018–)

The Dutton family controls the largest contiguous cattle ranch in the United States and defends it against land developers and an Indian reservation. John Dutton employs ruthless tactics and political manipulation to maintain his family’s legacy in Montana. The series operates as a modern soap opera with high stakes involving murder and corporate espionage. It highlights the conflict between traditional ranching lifestyles and the inevitable march of progress. The show romanticizes the cowboy way of life while acknowledging its violent cost.

‘Kung Fu’ (1972–1975)

A Shaolin monk named Kwai Chang Caine travels through the American Old West armed only with his spiritual training and martial arts skills. He searches for his half-brother while avoiding bounty hunters who want him for killing the Chinese Emperor’s nephew. The series introduces Eastern philosophy and pacifism into a genre typically defined by gunplay. Flashbacks to his training at the monastery provide moral lessons that guide his actions in the violent frontier. It remains a unique blend of eastern wisdom and western adventure.

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

A Harvard-educated lawyer turns bounty hunter to capture the gang that killed his father. The show incorporates steampunk technology and science fiction elements including a mysterious golden orb from the future. Brisco uses gadgets and his intellect alongside traditional combat to outsmart his enemies. The tone balances campy humor with genuine action set pieces involving rockets and trains. This series creates a distinct universe that merges pulp fiction adventure with the western backdrop.

‘Warrior’ (2019–2023)

A martial arts prodigy emigrates from China to San Francisco in the late 1800s and becomes a hatchet man for a powerful tong. The story navigates the brutal Tong Wars in Chinatown while exploring the racial tensions of the era. The series is based on original concepts by Bruce Lee and delivers high-octane fight choreography. It shifts the perspective from the cowboy on the plains to the immigrant experience in the developing city. The narrative exposes the corruption and prejudice inherent in the building of the American West.

‘Longmire’ (2012–2017)

Sheriff Walt Longmire patrols the fictional Absaroka County in Wyoming while struggling to move past the death of his wife. The show functions as a police procedural that respects the silence and space of the western genre. Investigations often involve the neighboring Cheyenne reservation and explore the jurisdictional friction between tribal police and local law enforcement. Walt relies on old-fashioned detective work and his knowledge of the land rather than modern technology. It provides a contemporary look at the west where ancient traditions clash with modern crimes.

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