Robert Duvall’s 4-Part Epic Western Limited Series Lonesome Dove Officially Tops the PVOD Charts 37 Years Later

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No matter how many positive words you gather from every language, you still couldn’t fully capture the remarkable qualities of Robert Duvall. He was a truly special person, and the world is better for having known him; he will be deeply missed.

The Academy Award-winning actor and dedicated philanthropist lived a remarkable 95 years, leaving a lasting impression on everyone he met and worked with—including fellow Oscar winner Tommy Lee Jones, with whom he starred in a truly memorable television series.

Hearing about Robert Duvall’s passing has made me want to revisit all his incredible work, and it seems like a lot of other movie lovers feel the same way. I’ve noticed Lonesome Dove is suddenly super popular on Apple TV – it’s currently the second most-watched show in both the US and Canada, which is amazing!

Lonesome Dove Is a Must-Watch, And a Must-Watch-Again

I recently watched this amazing miniseries that first came out in 1989, and it’s based on a Pulitzer Prize-winning book by Larry McMurtry. It’s a classic Western about Woodrow F. Call, played by Tommy Lee Jones, and his best friend and fellow Texas Ranger, Gus McCrae, portrayed by Robert Duvall. The series follows these two lifelong friends on one last, big adventure before they finally decide to retire.

The series follows a group of friends as they embark on a perilous 2,500-mile cattle drive from their hometown on the Rio Grande to Montana. The long and dangerous journey strengthens their bond, and the show explores the challenges and mindset of a Texas Ranger living on the American frontier.

This film is exceptional in its writing, filmmaking, and performances, as proven by its seven Emmy Awards and two Golden Globe wins.

Robert Duvall Loved Lonesome Dove Above All

Robert Duvall considered his role as Captain Augustus “Gus” McCrae in Lonesome Dove to be his all-time favorite, even above other iconic performances. He shared this with Lee Habeeb on Our American Stories.

Years after Lonesome Dove ended, Robert Duvall remarked that a show of that quality likely wouldn’t come around again for a century. He compared his character, Augustus McCrae, to a literary giant like Shakespeare, saying he’d happily take on the role of McCrae over classic Shakespearean parts like Hamlet or King Lear. Duvall described McCrae as a kind of modern knight – a rugged 1860s cowboy who embodied the spirit of Texas and American culture through his bravery, love for women, and zest for life.

As a huge movie buff, I was blown away by how much of an impact Lonesome Dove had. It was incredible to learn that the actual Texas Rangers – the law enforcement agency, not the baseball team! – made Robert Duvall an honorary board member of their Hall of Fame Museum back in 2021. And get this – it was mostly because of his performance as McCrae, over 30 years after the show first aired! Even five years later, people are still rediscovering it and making Lonesome Dove one of the most-watched series on television. It just proves what a timeless classic it is.

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2026-02-20 02:43