
When you see the label "Western", you probably react a lot like me, in that you assume at first the default would be a movie. Westerns propped up Hollywood for decades, long before the era of prestige TV, after all.
While some of the biggest and best Westerns of the last couple of decades are still movies, there have also been some hugely successful TV and streaming series, from Deadwood to (in a way) Westworld, and the latest and greatest seems to be 1923. This prequel to Yellowstone had a great first season, and its second just got a flagship trailer before it starts on 23 February.
The show stars a grizzled but game Harrison Ford opposite Helen Mirren as the patriarch and matriarch of the Dutton clan, decades before the events of Yellowstone, which became a sensationally popular show. It's gritty and gets to revel in the interwar period that it makes its home.
This time around their land is under threat once more, from a grinningly evil Timothy Dalton, who's looking to transform it into a resort for the rich and famous, offering everything from skiing to hiking. It's the classic David vs Goliath template that has served the franchise so well to this point.
Meanwhile their son Spencer is making a long and arduous journey home across America to help them, and I'd put safe money on a late-season montage that gets him back just in time to avert a crisis or win some sort of a fight. It's the sort of suspenseful stuff that 1923 managed nicely in its first season, according to reviews.
That's my way of admitting that I never caught that season of the show – but thanks to this pacy and exciting trailer, I'm adding it to my watchlist. After all, I love a good Western, and this seems the perfect way of getting my fix without having to commit to watching a 3-hour epic on a random weekday evening after cooking. Of course, that means getting Paramount+, which will be worth it to see where it ranks for me in the list of the best streaming services I can get my hands on.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Max is T3's Staff Writer for the Tech section – with years of experience reporting on tech and entertainment. He's also a gaming expert, both with the games themselves and in testing accessories and consoles, having previously flexed that expertise at Pocket-lint as a features editor.
-
Forget Tesla, this is the most powerful EV I’ve tried by miles
The BMW Vision Driving experience shows just how powerful EVs of the future could be
By Mat Gallagher Published
-
Roku Streaming Stick 4K review: a speedy and easy-to-use media streamer
The Roku Streaming Stick 4K has voice search, app control and isn't overcrowded with adverts
By Yasmine Crossland Published
-
Prime Video's new mystery thriller will star a huge Oscar-winner
Kill Jackie sounds like oodles of fun
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
I can't wait for this fantasy series' return on Prime Video, but there's one problem
The Wheel of Time doesn't half move fast
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Prime Video's new rom-com has Bridgerton star in a charming new role
Picture This looks like extremely cute fun
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Prime Video just added a sci-fi cult classic that turns 25 this year
Pitch Black is a certified classic
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
Netflix's new thriller shows how scary some schools can be
We get a tiny glimpse of Wayward
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
It's nearly Valentine's Day – end your date night with these perfect streaming movies
Romantic movies are a dime a dozen – here are the very best
By Max Freeman-Mills Published
-
I might not be able to stop myself watching Netflix's new comedy
Running Point might be a crowd-pleaser
By Max Freeman-Mills Last updated
-
HBO's new crime thriller looks terrifying and pointed
When No One Sees Us seems scary
By Max Freeman-Mills Published