There’s no doubt that Yellowstone is popular, but 2022’s The English outdid the neo-western with only six episodes. Yellowstone created a lot of buzz when it premiered in 2018 and it remained popular throughout its five seasons. The project naturally spawned several big spinoff series, including 1883, 1923, and many more to come. Still, widespread popularity doesn’t necessarily make Yellowstone the best of the best.
In contrast to Yellowstone, Prime Video’s The English is somewhat unknown. The hidden gem is a miniseries Western starring Emily Blunt and Chaske Spencer, and was created by Hugo Blick (Black Earth Rising, The Honourable Woman). The story, set in 1890, revolves around an Englishwoman who heads West on a mission to seek revenge against the man responsible for her son’s death, ultimately teaming up with a Pawnee ex-calvary scout.
The English Is A Better-Rated Western Than Yellowstone
Yellowstone is a greater success than The English, but when it comes to overall quality, the latter Western series takes that cake. When looking at these shows’ overall Rotten Tomatoes scores, they appear to be neck-and-neck. Yellowstone holds an 83% critics’ score, while The English comes only slightly ahead at 84%. However, while The English‘s audience score is exactly the same at 84%, Yellowstone’s general viewer rating was only 76% positive.
The English was praised by critics for its well-written script, unique perspective, its poignant exploration of violence and revenge, and carefully balanced brutality, among other excellent qualities.
The English‘s leg-up on Yellowstone is even more intriguing, given that it’s a miniseries. Six episodes were all it took to claim such excellent ratings, while Yellowstone’s first batch of episodes only impressed 58% of critics. The Neo-Western managed to raise its score eventually, but it took a while for it to find its legs.
The English’s Miniseries Status Worked For It & Against It
Yellowstone’s long form ultimately worked out to its benefit. Season 1 wasn’t so widely appreciated, but it had plenty of time to gain a cult following and improve critics’ outlook. The English was at a disadvantage in this sense. As a miniseries, it only got one chance to impress, and it certainly delivered. However, without follow-up installments, the show fell out of the limelight rather quickly.
Now, The English is something of a hidden gem. As a Prime Video original, it’s sure to remain on the streaming platform indefinitely. So, the show can attract new viewers year after year. It may never be as big as Yellowstone and its spinoffs, but The English is the definition of quality over quantity. Those six episodes outline a poignant, emotional, and unique story—as close to a perfect Western as you can possibly get.
