Justified Meets Deadwood In AMC’s Underrated 5-Part American Western

Published Jun 21, 2026, 5:00 PM EDT

Tom is a Senior Staff Writer at Screen Rant, with expertise covering everything from hilarious sitcoms to jaw-dropping sci-fi epics.

Initially he was an Updates writer, though before long he found his way to the TV and movies team. He now spends his days keeping Screen Rant readers informed about the TV shows of yesteryear, whether it's recommending hidden gems that may have been missed by genre fans or deep diving into ways your favorite shows have (or haven't) stood the test of time.

Tom is based in the UK and when he's not writing about TV shows, he's watching them. He's also an avid horror fiction writer, gamer, and has a Dungeons and Dragons habit that he tries (and fails) to keep in check.
 

As a result, many Western fans have started digging deep in search of hidden gems they may have missed. Unfortunately, one of the best shows of the genre still doesn't receive the recognition it deserves. Hell on Wheels may not be the first title people mention when discussing great TV Westerns, but it absolutely belongs in that conversation.

Airing from 2011 to 2016, AMC’s Hell on Wheels follows former Confederate soldier Cullen Bohannon (Anson Mount) as he becomes involved in the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad after the Civil War. Set largely within a traveling settlement of railway workers, the show offers a unique perspective of a rapidly changing 19th-century America. It may not have the recognition of the likes of Justified or Deadwood, but overlooking Hell on Wheels means missing one of the most distinctive Western series ever made.

Hell On Wheels Is A Must-Watch For Fans Of Westerns

Recommending a solid Western to fans of the genre seems like an easy sell on the surface, but viewers have no shortage of great options to choose from. However, there are several reasons why Hell on Wheels should be top of the next watch list for those who haven’t seen it.

It can’t be overstated how different the setting of Hell on Wheels feels from most Western TV shows. Rather than focusing on a traditional frontier town, the story unfolds around the ever-moving temporary settlement inhabited by workers on the Transcontinental Railroad. That premise allows the show to tell stories that simply wouldn't work in a more static setting and gives the series an unpredictability that keeps it fresh.

The historical backdrop is equally fascinating. While many Westerns focus on conflicts between lawmen and outlaws, Hell on Wheels explores one of the most significant infrastructure projects in American history. The railroad itself is more than just a setting. It’s the driving force behind nearly every major conflict in the series. It also allows for exploration of incredibly specific themes like ruthless industrial expansion and the human cost of progress.

That blend of traditional Western storytelling and industrial-age drama helps Hell on Wheels stand apart from its peers. For fans looking for something that captures the grit of Deadwood and the character-driven appeal of Justified while offering a completely different premise, it remains essential viewing.

Hell On Wheels Still Deserves A Higher Rotten Tomatoes Score

Despite being a Western that every fan should watch at least once, Hell on Wheels currently holds a surprisingly modest 73% critical score on Rotten Tomatoes, which is far lower than it deserves (especially with its audience score of 89%). While metacritic ratings aren’t everything, it may still cause many potential fans to be put off when they absolutely shouldn’t be.

It’s easy to see why Hell on Wheels has underperformed on Rotten Tomatoes, and part of the issue stems from the first season. While season 1 contains plenty of strong moments, the show was still finding its footing. Sadly though, because Rotten Tomatoes aggregates reviews from across a show's entire run, early criticisms continue to weigh down the overall score.

The slow-burn approach of the narrative is also tied to this. Hell on Wheels gains momentum as it goes, with the later seasons often regarded as the strongest. Seasons 4 and 5, in particular, showcase some of the series' best writing. By that point, the show had fully embraced its unique identity and was firing on all cylinders. Sadly, however, the overall Rotten Tomatoes score doesn’t reflect the brilliance of this underrated Western TV show at its peak.

While a 73% Rotten Tomatoes score can often mean a show that’s simply adequate, that isn’t the case here. Western fans especially shouldn't let Hell on Wheels’ rating discourage them. Beneath that surprisingly average score lies one of the most distinct and entertaining Western TV shows of the modern television era.