Prime Video’s The English Outdid Yellowstone With Just 1 Season

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I have to say, while everyone loves Yellowstone, I was completely blown away by The English – and it did it all in just six episodes! Yellowstone definitely made a splash when it first came out in 2018, and it’s stayed incredibly popular for five seasons, leading to fantastic spin-offs like 1883 and 1923, with more on the way. But honestly, just because something is hugely popular doesn’t automatically make it the very best, does it?

While shows like Yellowstone get a lot of attention, Prime Video’s The English is a lesser-known but excellent miniseries. Created by Hugo Blick (known for Black Earth Rising and The Honourable Woman), it stars Emily Blunt and Chaske Spencer. The story takes place in 1890 and follows an English woman who travels West to avenge her son, finding an unlikely ally in a former Pawnee scout.

The English Is A Better-Rated Western Than Yellowstone

Although Yellowstone is more popular than The English, The English is the better-made show overall. Both series have similar scores on Rotten Tomatoes – Yellowstone has an 83% critics’ score and The English has 84%. They also both have an audience score of 84%, but Yellowstone receives a lower viewer rating of 76% positive compared to The English.

It’s interesting that ‘The English’ achieved such high ratings with only six episodes, especially when compared to ‘Yellowstone’. While ‘Yellowstone’ eventually became popular, critics were initially only impressed with its first episodes about 58% of the time. It took the show a while to really gain momentum.

The English’s Miniseries Status Worked For It & Against It

While Yellowstone took time to find its audience, its lengthy run ultimately helped it grow a dedicated fanbase and win over critics. The English, being a limited series, didn’t have that same advantage. It made a strong impression right away, but without additional seasons, it quickly faded from public view.

“The English” is a real find, and because it’s a Prime Video original, it will likely be available to stream for a long time. This means it can continue to gain new fans over the years. While it might not reach the massive popularity of shows like “Yellowstone,” “The English” prioritizes quality storytelling. Its six episodes deliver a moving, emotional, and original story – it’s about as close to a perfect Western as you can find.

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2025-12-25 04:07