Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the absolutely groundbreaking Godless, which has been captivating audiences worldwide since its Netflix debut on November 22, 2017. This remarkable Western miniseries completely revolutionizes the genre with its unique premise, exceptional storytelling, and some of the most compelling female characters ever portrayed in frontier television.
Godless is an American Western drama television miniseries created, written and directed by Scott Frank, set in 1884 featuring a young outlaw on the run from his vengeful mentor who winds up in a small New Mexico town populated almost entirely by women. The seven-episode series began production in Santa Fe, New Mexico, in September 2016, with each episode running approximately 60-75 minutes. The series boasts an impressive 8.2 rating on IMDb and has been praised as one of the finest Western productions of the modern era.
The series received positive reviews, and was named one of the year’s 10 best by The Washington Post and Vanity Fair. What sets Godless apart from traditional Westerns is its focus on a town inhabited almost entirely by women following a mining disaster, creating a unique matriarchal society that challenges every Western convention we know.
The series masterfully blends traditional Western elements with progressive storytelling, examining themes of survival, community, and the different ways people respond to violence and loss in the unforgiving American frontier.
A Town of Widows and the Outlaw Who Changes Everything
The story follows murderous outlaw gang leader Frank Griffin as he hunts for ex-protege Roy Goode, with Frank’s chase leading him to La Belle, New Mexico, a town inhabited, after a mining disaster, almost entirely by women. Godless excels at showing how this unique community has adapted to survive without men, creating their own systems of governance, protection, and economic sustainability.
The narrative structure allows viewers to understand both the fragility and strength of La Belle’s society. Roy Goode’s arrival disrupts this delicate balance, bringing both hope for protection and the inevitable threat of violence that follows him. The series explores how trauma shapes communities and how people rebuild after devastating loss.
Jack O’Connell’s Complex Performance as the Reluctant Hero
Jack O’Connell plays Roy Goode, an injured outlaw on the run from his former boss, delivering a nuanced performance that avoids typical Western hero tropes. O’Connell’s portrayal showcases a man torn between his violent past and his desire for redemption, particularly through his relationship with Alice Fletcher and her son. His performance captures the internal struggle of someone trying to escape a life of violence while being pursued by forces that won’t let him go.
What makes O’Connell’s performance so compelling is his ability to show Roy’s vulnerability alongside his dangerous skills. The character becomes a study in contrasts: gentle with children yet deadly with a gun, seeking peace while preparing for war.
Michelle Dockery’s Powerful Alice Fletcher and La Belle’s Sisterhood
Michelle Dockery delivers an outstanding performance as Alice Fletcher, a widow who becomes Roy’s protector and potential love interest. Dockery received an Outstanding Lead Actress in a Miniseries or TV Movie nomination for her portrayal of this complex character who must balance her attraction to Roy with her responsibility to protect her son and community.
Merritt Wever also received an Outstanding Supporting Actress nomination for her role in the ensemble cast that brings La Belle’s community of women to life. Each woman in the town represents a different response to trauma and loss, creating a rich tapestry of female experiences rarely seen in Western television.
That Redefines Western Violence
The climactic showdown between Frank Griffin’s gang and the women of La Belle represents more than just a typical Western gunfight; it’s a battle between different philosophies of power and survival. The series earned 12 Emmy nominations including Outstanding Limited Series, with much of that recognition coming from this masterfully crafted finale that subverts expectations while delivering incredible action.
The violence in Godless carries real weight because we’ve invested in these characters and understand what they’re fighting to protect. Every gunshot has consequences, and the series never glorifies violence but instead shows its true cost on individuals and communities.
Jeff Daniels’ Terrifying Frank Griffin and the Cost of Obsession
Jeff Daniels won Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or Movie for his chilling portrayal of Frank Griffin, one of television’s most memorable villains. Daniels creates a character who is simultaneously paternal and monstrous, showing how Griffin’s twisted love for Roy has transformed into murderous obsession.
Griffin represents the dark side of frontier masculinity taken to its extreme, making him the perfect antagonist for a series that explores alternative ways of building community and exercising power.
Success on Netflix
Netflix’s Godless tells the story of a ruthless outlaw who terrorizes the West in search of a former member of his gang, who’s found a new life in a quiet town populated only by women. The miniseries has found tremendous success with streaming audiences who appreciate its sophisticated approach to the Western genre. The success of Godless led creator Scott Frank to pitch further projects to Netflix, demonstrating the platform’s confidence in his vision. The series represents Netflix’s commitment to prestige limited series, combining the action expected from Westerns with the character depth and social commentary associated with premium television drama.
A Western That Redefines Everything You Thought You Knew
If you love character-driven dramas, innovative storytelling, and Westerns that challenge traditional genre conventions, Godless is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. This isn’t just another frontier story; it’s a profound exploration of community, survival, and the different ways people respond to violence that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew about the American West.
Why This Masterpiece Deserves Your Complete Attention
Godless on Netflix represents the evolution of Western storytelling for the modern era, combining breathtaking cinematography with revolutionary character development that transforms familiar frontier tropes into a fresh and emotionally resonant meditation on community, violence, and the true meaning of strength.
Series Details
Number of Episodes: 7 episodes (Complete miniseries)
Platform: Netflix
Release Year: 2017
Current IMDb Rating: 8.2/10
Genre: Western Drama, Historical Fiction
Status: Completed limited series
Protagonists: Jack O’Connell (Roy Goode), Michelle Dockery (Alice Fletcher), Merritt Wever (Mary Agnes)
Antagonist: Jeff Daniels (Frank Griffin)