Netflix’s 6-Hour Western Is The Perfect Yellowstone Substitute

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Since its debut in 2018, Yellowstone has been the most popular show in the new wave of Westerns. Because of this, it’s been hard to find another series that measures up. Luckily, this new six-episode Western on Netflix shares some qualities that Yellowstone fans will likely enjoy.

Netflix’s Territory is quickly filling the void left by Yellowstone for many viewers. Like Yellowstone, it centers around a family and the challenges of passing down their land, but instead of Montana, the story unfolds on Australian ranches, where the family fights to protect their legacy from outside threats.

While sharing the dramatic tension of Yellowstone, Territory establishes its own unique identity and avoids feeling like a copycat. It’s a great option for Yellowstone fans because it builds upon a similar premise with added complexity, making the story even more captivating.

Territory Is A Large-Scale Generational Conflict Like Taylor Sheridan’s Yellowstone

Premiering in 2024, Territory centers on the Lawson family, who own and operate one of Australia’s largest cattle ranches, Marianne Station. The story kicks off when Daniel, the favored son and ranch manager, unexpectedly dies, leading to a fierce fight over who will take control. This setup strongly echoes the beginning of Yellowstone, particularly the death of Lee and the resulting, intensifying conflict between Beth and Jamie.

Both Territory and Yellowstone feature characters who marry into the central family, and a similar dynamic plays out with them. In Territory, Emily Lawson is the one who comes from outside the family, while Rip Wheeler in Yellowstone fills that role—neither of them were born into the Dutton family. As a result, both Emily and Rip lacked a true claim to the ranches they devoted themselves to.

I’ve been watching both Territory and Yellowstone, and a common thread is the outside forces trying to take over these family ranches. In Territory, the villain is Sandra Kriby, a powerful mining company owner who wants the Lawsons’ land for uranium. Over in Yellowstone, it’s Market Equities, a corporation with its sights set on building an airport on the Duttons’ vast property. It’s a classic story of David versus Goliath, and it really raises the stakes for both families.

Why Territory Only Lasted One Season On Netflix

Despite being a compelling family drama, Netflix canceled Territory after just one season. Critics generally liked the show, giving it an 87% score on Rotten Tomatoes and highlighting its immersive atmosphere, complex family relationships, and intense storylines. However, viewers weren’t as enthusiastic, only giving it a 54% rating. This difference in opinion ultimately hurt the show, as strong audience numbers are crucial for a series to succeed, even with positive reviews.

Territory Rotten Tomatoes Score
Critics Score Audience Score
87% 54%

Rumors of cancellation were already circulating before Netflix officially canceled Territory. While Netflix hasn’t given a specific reason for not renewing the show, issues with scheduling and production timing may have been factors, according to C21 Media.

It wasn’t surprising when Territory was canceled, considering how viewers reacted to the show. While it had the potential to become a long-running series similar to Yellowstone, Territory just didn’t attract a large enough audience to justify continuing it for many more seasons.

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2026-05-05 02:38