‘Yellowstone’ Fans Need to Catch Up on the Beloved Western ‘Justified’

For six riveting seasons, the rebellious and unconventional deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens kept audiences on the edges of their seats as he squared off against some of the country’s most dangerous and deranged criminals in the critically-acclaimed crime drama Justified. Timothy Olyphant delivered a career-defining performance as the old-school lawman, with the Primetime Emmy-winning series featuring the additional talents of a stacked cast, including Walton Goggins, Joelle Carter, and Nick Searcy.

Justified ran from 2010 to 2015 and has been hailed as one of the best shows of the 2010s, in large part due to the sensational chemistry between lead stars Olyphant and Goggins. Full of unforgettable characters, electrifying storylines, and plenty of exciting action, the engrossing drama is must-see viewing for fans of both the Western and crime genres, and because of its overwhelming popularity, the revival miniseries Justified: City Primeval premiered on July 18, 2023, for eight episodes. Let’s check out what Justified is all about and why it remains a beloved TV staple.

‘Justified’ Is a Gripping Western Crime Drama

Based on author Elmore Leonard’s sensational stories and complex characters, FX’s 2010 neo-Western crime drama Justified features the talented Timothy Olyphant as the cowboy hat-sporting, quick-shooting Deputy U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens, who, after controversially shooting and killing a mob hitman in Miami is relocated back to his home in Harlan County, Kentucky to serve and protect his community. The tough and unconventional Raylan is a notorious problem child for his superiors, as the lawman’s Wild West-style approach to catching bad guys and dealing with people doesn’t sit well with those in his orbit.

Raylan is forced to come to terms with the life he desperately tried to escape in his youth and is met with many familiar faces from his past, including his no-good father Arlo, ex-wife Winona Hawkins, and former coal-digging buddy Boyd Crowder (Walton Goggins), who is attempting to control Harlan’s criminal underground, ultimately becoming his biggest adversary. The stubborn and fearless Marshal squares off against many dangerous foes throughout the electrifying drama’s six seasons, kicking butt and taking names while serving up his signature dry wit and unflappable demeanor every step of the way.

‘Justified’ Dazzles and Delights Fans Everywhere

Throughout Justified‘s 78 thrilling episodes, Raylan Givens took on violent white supremacists, exiled mob hitmen, powerful Kentucky crime families, and the ever-elusive Boyd Crowder, with the phenomenal series featuring unforgettable guest stars like Margo Martindale, Neal McDonough, Mykelti Williamson, and Sam Elliot (to name just a few). Goggins’ character Boyd was supposed to die in the pilot episode, but audiences quickly became enamored by both the lovable misfit and charismatic actor that he became a series regular and a major thorn in Raylan’s side (much to the enjoyment of fans).

Justified ran from 2010 to 2015 and kept viewers hooked till the very last episode, garnering widespread critical acclaim throughout its six seasons and earning praise for its exceptional performances, riveting storylines, and immersive atmosphere. The crime drama was nominated for eight Primetime Emmys (winning two) throughout its run and was also the recipient of a Peabody Award in 2010, and the series helped propel lead stars Timothy Olyphant and Walton Goggins to further stardom, with the lead duo’s star-making portrayals being singled out by passionate fans.

Elmore Leonard himself was pleased by Olyphant’s spellbinding interpretation of literary lawman, who had previously been portrayed by James Le Gros in the 1997 made-for-TV film Pronto. Leonard was blown away after watching Justified despite his initial trepidation that they wouldn’t get Raylan’s signature hat right, and he was impressed to see his celebrated characters properly portrayed on screen, with the late author calling Olyphant “perfect” and commending the series in a 2013 interview with The Christian Science Monitor:

“My favorite character is Raylan. Timothy Olyphant’s perfect because there are not many actors who have delivered the lines the way I heard them when I was writing them…It’s got great writers. I’m amazed at the writing. They’re all so real and the accents are so good. They sound like those people.”

Raylan Makes His Long-Awaited Return in ‘Justified: City Primeval’

After an eight-year absence from the small screen, the world’s favorite rebellious Marshal once again donned his iconic Stetson cowboy hat and returned for another adventure in the 2023 revival miniseries Justified: City Primeval, which follows Raylan Givens as he leaves sunny Miami and his teenage daughter Willa and heads north to Detroit to help catch the ruthless criminal Clement Mansell (Boyd Holbrook), known as “The Oklahoma Wildman.” The buzzed-about show consisted of eight episodes and, much like its predecessor, became a critical sensation, earning a 92% Rotten Tomatoes score and two Critics’ Choice Award nominations.

Justified: City Primeval attracted an average of 1.8 million viewers during its summer run and thrilled longtime fans of the original series when Walton Goggins reprised his devious role as Boyd Crowder, much to their surprise and elation. The final episode in the revival ended on an epic cliffhanger that perfectly sets up additional seasons if FX and its stars decide to do more, a decision that has yet to be revealed to eager audiences. Shortly after the conclusion of City: Primeval, executive producer and co-showrunner Michael Dinner told TVLine:

“It’s up to FX — what they want to do, if they want to tell another chapter. If they don’t, then, you know, it was good to do this, and we feel really good about where we ended.”

Stream Justified on Hulu.