Netflix’s 7-Part Western Is Still One Of Streaming’s Best Hidden Gems Nearly 10 Years After Releasing

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I still think about Godless all the time – that one-season Western Netflix put out in 2017. It’s honestly one of the best things they’ve ever done in the Western genre! It’s kind of amazing because big Western movies aren’t really made anymore, and haven’t been for a while – I remember when they were huge, but that faded back in the ’70s. But lately, we’re seeing a cool comeback with Westerns on TV, and Godless really stood out.

While some Western remakes, like the 2016 film The Magnificent Seven, struggle to gain wide appeal, shows such as Yellowstone, its prequels 1883 and 1923, and newer Westerns like Landman and The Madison demonstrate that the genre is experiencing a resurgence on television. Series like Netflix’s American Primeval and The Abandons confirm this trend.

Netflix’s Godless was released in 2017, But It’s Still Worth Watching

Image courtesy of Everett Collection

Interestingly, Netflix’s strongest Western series so far actually came out several years ago. In 2017, the limited series Godless featured Jack O’Connell – who also appears in Sinners – as Roy Goode, a wounded and morally ambiguous outlaw fleeing his dangerous former boss, Frank Griffin, played by Jeff Daniels.

The story Godless starts in 1884 New Mexico when a man named Goode seeks refuge in the tiny town of La Belle. He’s surprised to discover the town is almost entirely populated by women, as most of the men died in a recent mining accident. Sheriff Bill McNue, played by Scoot McNairy, is one of the few men left in La Belle.

Hoping to avoid trouble with his former employer, Goode goes into hiding in the town of La Belle, where he meets a diverse group of residents. Among them is Alice Fletcher, played by Michelle Dockery, a stern and commanding widow who has managed her family’s ranch since her husband passed away, and Mary Agnes McNue, Bill’s sensible sister, portrayed by Merrit Weaver.

Godless Is The Perfect Western Binge-Watch

While Godless is a well-made Western, that’s not the only reason it’s so captivating. At just seven episodes, it’s perfect for a quick binge – and its fast-paced, suspenseful plot will keep you hooked from beginning to end.

The show boasts a fantastic cast, including Daniels, McNairy, Weaver, Dockery, Sam Waterston, and a reliably strong performance from O’Connell. Because of this, it’s disappointing to reach the end of Godless, and you almost wish there were more episodes. Thankfully, the story is complete and wraps up nicely.

Godless’ Cast Is Even More Impressive Now

Even years after its initial release in 2017, the cast of Godless remains incredibly strong. Having recently shone as compelling villains in Sinners and 28 Years Later: The Bone Temple, it’s fantastic to see Jack O’Connell take the lead in this hidden gem of a Netflix series.

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2026-02-13 18:08