‘Godless’: The Netflix Western Taylor Sheridan Fans Need to Watch

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As a huge fan of Taylor Sheridan‘s 1883, I was really missing that world after it finished. I recently discovered Scott Frank’s Godless on Netflix, and honestly, it feels like the perfect thing to watch next! It’s set in the same gritty Old West, geographically close to where Yellowstone and 1883 take place, and the story even picks up just a year after the events of 1883. Even though they’re from different creators and networks, both shows feel connected – like two sides of the same coin. I really think you should watch them back-to-back!

Though Godless is praised for strong performances, especially Jeff Daniels’ first foray into Westerns, what really connects it to 1883 is the way both shows depict resilient and independent women in a traditionally male world. Godless and 1883 have a lot in common with Netflix’s The Abandons as well, making all three shows appealing to fans of Taylor Sheridan’s work.

What is ‘Godless’ About?


Netflix

Before his success with the Netflix series The Queen’s Gambit, Scott Frank created, wrote, and directed Godless, a Western miniseries with seven parts that came out in November 2017. Set in 1884, the story follows Frank Griffin (Jeff Daniels), a famous outlaw, as he arrives in Crede, Colorado, being chased by Marshal John Cook (Sam Waterston). Frank and his associate, Roy Goode (Jack O’Connell), rob a sum of money and escape to La Belle, New Mexico. There, an injured Roy hides the stolen money and starts to question Frank’s violent lifestyle.

Roy is cared for by Alice Fletcher (Michelle Dockery), a strong-willed widow who manages a ranch just outside of La Belle with her mother-in-law, Iyovi (Tantoo Cardinal), and son, Truckee (Samuel Marty). After regaining consciousness, Roy learns that La Belle is almost entirely populated by women, a result of a deadly mining accident that claimed the lives of most of the town’s men.

Marshal Cook rides into La Belle to alert Sheriff Bill McNue that Frank’s dangerous gang is on its way. Meanwhile, Roy admits what he’s done in exchange for safety, starting to connect with the people of the town. Just then, Frank’s group arrives, determined to find the stolen money and eliminate anyone who could identify them.

Beyond the harsh conditions of life on the American frontier in the 1880s, the shows Godless and 1883 both feature strong, compelling female characters. In Godless, Mary Agnes McNue (played by Merritt Weaver) is the most practical and determined person in town, rebuilding her life after her husband’s death – he was previously the mayor of LaBelle. She develops a relationship with Callie Dunne (Tess Frazer), who goes from being a former sex worker to a schoolteacher. La Belle is essentially led and protected by these women – Alice, Agnes, and Callie – who bravely defend the town against Frank’s dangerous gang.

How ‘1883’ Portrays Women Relative to ‘Godless’, Explained


Paramount

Created by Taylor Sheridan as a prequel to Yellowstone, 1883 tells the story of the Dutton family’s journey west after the Civil War. Led by wagon train leader Shea Brennan (Sam Elliott) and the Duttons – James (Tim McGraw), Margaret (Faith Hill), and their children Elsa (Isabel May), Spencer, and John (Audie Rick) – the family travels from Tennessee to Texas and ultimately Montana, hoping to build a better future.

As a big fan of Westerns, I’ve been really drawn into 1883. It’s fascinating to watch the Dutton family’s journey as they come to America in the 1800s, but what I especially appreciate is how the show really focuses on the women. Claire Dutton, played by Dawn Olivieri, is incredibly compelling – she’s James’s sister, a widow who just keeps facing one heartbreaking thing after another with her kids. And then there’s her daughter, Mary Abel (Emma Malouff), who’s this really proper young woman always trying to make her mother proud. Their stories are just so powerful.

Similar to the character Mary Agnes in Godless, Claire’s story highlights the difficult lives women faced in the 1880s, a time when American society was still developing. This hardship is further emphasized by Noemi (Gratiela Brancusi), a Romani woman who becomes a widow after her husband dies in a mining accident and is left to raise their two young sons on her own. Eventually, Noemi finds love with Thomas (LaMonica Garrett), a U.S. Army Sergeant and Buffalo Soldier who travels with the Dutton family.

Both Godless and 1883 powerfully depict the struggles and hopes of families who immigrated after the Civil War, particularly highlighting the courageous women who worked tirelessly for a better future. While 1883 has reached a wider audience, Godless has earned greater critical praise.

‘Godless’ Does Almost Everything Better Than ‘1883’, Explained


Netflix

While 1883 had ten episodes and Godless had seven, Godless is the stronger show in almost every way. Scott Frank, the creator of Godless, brings a level of experience and skill to screenwriting that surpasses even Taylor Sheridan’s impressive output. Frank has a long and successful history, including uncredited work as a script doctor for Steven Spielberg, and has written excellent screenplays for films like Dead Again, Get Shorty, Out of Sight, Minority Report, The Lookout, and Logan. He’s truly one of Hollywood’s best, yet often overlooked, writers.

Scott began working with Netflix by creating Godless, a seven-episode series where he wrote, directed, and oversaw every aspect of production, maintaining his unique artistic control. He followed that success with The Queen’s Gambit, which became one of Netflix’s most popular miniseries ever. Scott’s skill clearly surpasses that of Taylor Sheridan, as Godless received three Primetime Emmy Awards, while Sheridan’s 1883 earned three nominations but didn’t win any.

While both shows are well-acted, Godless truly stands out. The performances in Godless are stronger than those in 1883, with Jeff Daniels and Merritt Weaver both receiving Primetime Emmy Awards for their roles. Godless also won an award for excellent casting. Though Sam Elliott is a talented actor, the entire cast of Godless delivers more subtle and captivating performances than the cast of 1883.

If you enjoyed Western miniseries like Godless and 1883 – shows that are easy to watch all at once – you’ll likely love them both together. It’s not certain if 1883 creator Taylor Sheridan was influenced by Godless, but the two series share similar themes, take place in the same era, and feature compelling characters that Yellowstone fans will definitely enjoy.

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2025-12-09 01:19