Netflix’s 6-Hour Western Is The Perfect Yellowstone Substitute

4 days ago 10

Published May 4, 2026, 7:30 PM EDT

Memory Ngulube joined Screen Rant in April 2024 as part of the Movies and TV team. Since then, she has written for the Perennials and Streaming team, covering a wide range of topics from new releases to old movies and TV shows. Memory is currently a Classic TV writer.

Before joining Screen Rant, Memory was a freelance copywriter who specialized in email marketing and social media management. While she enjoyed her job, her true passion was always movies and TV.

When she isn’t writing for Screen Rant, Memory can be found reading, baking (which is one of her passions), or watching her favorite K-drama.

Yellowstone dominated the neo-Western TV landscape from the moment it premiered in 2018. As such, it's become increasingly difficult to find a series that could be as good as the sprawling saga. Thankfully, this six-part Netflix Western series has several features that could appeal to fans of Taylor Sheridan's flagship series.

Territory captures the same tension that is at the heart of Yellowstone, but also sets itself apart because it has a distinct style that proves it isn’t simply trying to imitate the popular Western series. What makes Territory such a great substitute for Yellowstone fans who are looking for the same vibe is that it takes a familiar story and adds layers to it that make it all the more intriguing.

Territory Is A Large-Scale Generational Conflict Like Taylor Sheridan's Yellowstone

Premiering in 2024, Territory focuses on the Lawsons, a family that controls Marianne Station, one of the biggest cattle ranches in Australia. When Daniel, Colin Lawson’s favorite son and manager of the ranch, dies, a succession battle breaks out. This is very reminiscent of Lee's tragic death in Yellowstone's pilot episode and Beth and Jamie's subsequent, escalated feud.

Another way Territory echoes Yellowstone has to do with the characters who marry into the family. In Territory’s case, Emily Lawson is the outsider, while in Yellowstone, Rip is the one who resembles her most because he wasn’t a Dutton. Because of this, these two characters didn’t have any real claim on the ranches that they loved and dedicated their lives to.

In Territory and Yellowstone, the ranches face external threats from corporations. Territory's Sandra Kriby is a mining magnate with ambitions to gain control of the Lawsons’ ranch in order to mine uranium. In Yellowstone’s case, Market Equities is the Dutton family's biggest threat, as they seek to use the massive ranch's land to construct an airport.

Why Territory Only Lasted One Season On Netflix

Though an engrossing family drama, Netflix canceled Territory after only one season. The series did well with critics, who awarded it an 87% Rotten Tomatoes score and praised the series for its atmosphere, dysfunctional family dynamics, and high-stakes drama. Territory, however, failed to impress audiences, resulting in a 54% rating. The divisiveness in its reception did not do the show any favors, because while critics are important, it's the viewers that are ultimately integral to a show’s lifespan.

Territory Rotten Tomatoes Score

Critics Score	Audience Score
87%	54%

Even before Territory got the axe, rumors were swirling about its cancellation. Netflix did not issue an official explanation about why they decided not to renew the show, but scheduling conflicts and production timing might have played a role in the streamer’s decision (via C21 Media).

The cancellation of Territory did not come as a surprise because of how audiences received the series. As much as it had the potential to be a sprawling saga like Yellowstone, Territory simply did not have the audience appeal that could have made it go on for several more seasons.

Source: C21 Media