Lonesome Dove, one of the greatest Western miniseries ever made, is getting a remake at Netflix. The streaming service announced today that it has acquired a new drama series based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel by Larry McMurtry and ordered it straight to series. Zoe Kazan and Jev Stuart, who served as co-showrunners on Netflix’s upcoming East of Eden limited series, will reunite for Lonesome Dove.
All About Lonesome Dove
The logline reads: “Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call renew their spirit of adventure as they face an uncertain future, embarking on one final, perilous cattle drive from the Rio Grande to the untamed wilderness of Montana in pursuit of a dream that they have perhaps already outlived. These two former Texas Rangers lead an unforgettable cast of characters across the American west in this sweeping odyssey defined by unrequited longing, unbreakable friendship, brutal frontier justice, and an unwavering pursuit of a meaningful life.“
Teton Ridge Entertainment tapped Kazan and Stuart to develop the Lonesome Dove series.
The original miniseries featured one hell of a cast, with Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones, Danny Glover, Diane Lane, and Anjelica Huston leading the series. It was hugely successful, earning rave reviews and huge ratings. At the 1989 Emmy Awards, it earned 18 nominations and seven wins. Several sequels were released, including Return to Lonesome Dove, but none had the same impact.
Statements, Statements, Statements!
In a statement, Zoe Kazan and Jeb Stuart said, “After our singular experience on East of Eden, we are thrilled to be teaming with Netflix again, along with Teton Ridge Entertainment, to bring Larry McMurtry’s western classic to life. We come to this material with love and respect, and can’t wait to hit the trail with Gus and Call and the rest of these beloved characters. Yee-haw.“
Jinny Howe, Netflix Head of Scripted Series, UCAN, added, “Lonesome Dove is one of the great American stories, and there was no question we wanted to follow Zoe and Jeb wherever they went next. After East of Eden, we know exactly what they’re capable of — the depth of character, the sweep of place, the emotional precision. This material deserves that level of care. In their hands, it’s going to be something extraordinary. We’re excited to partner with Teton Ridge to bring this legendary story to life.“
And finally, Teton Ridge Entertainment President Jillian Share said, “Lonesome Dove is the kind of story that only comes along once in a generation. Its characters, scope and deeply human portrait of the American West have made it an enduring classic, and we see an extraordinary opportunity to bring Larry McMurtry’s world to a new generation of audiences. We’re thrilled to partner with Netflix and for Zoe and Jeb to reimagine this landmark story while preserving the heart and spirit that have made Lonesome Dove so beloved.“
I’m always down for another Western series, so I’m cautiously optimistic that Netflix can do justice to Lonesome Dove. What do you think?
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