In 1989, Robert Duvall starred in a Western series that continues to stand out as one of the genre’s highlights more than 37 years after its release. In fact, it is still so celebrated that it was just ranked No. 1 on a list of the “Greatest Western Shows” of all time. The fact that Lonesome Dove’s legacy is still so strong is especially remarkable given that it was originally intended to be a completely different project that was written with John Wayne in mind.
Who Ranked ‘Lonesome Dove’ as the ‘Greatest Western Show Worth Watching Over and Over’?
On October 29, 2026, Collider published its ranking of the “9 Greatest Western Shows That Are Worth Watching Over and Over.” The list included several classic series, including Maverick, Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie, and Gunsmoke. It also featured more modern shows like Longmire and 1883. However, it was ultimately topped by a show that arguably doesn’t get enough attention: 1989’s Lonesome Dove.
Produced by CBS, Lonesome Dove was a 4-episode epic Western miniseries that aired in 1989 and was based on a 1985 novel of the same name written by Larry McMurtry. The series featured a star-studded cast, which included Robert Duvall, Tommy Lee Jones, Danny Glover, Diane Lane, Robert Urich, Frederic Forrest, D. B. Sweeney, Ricky Schroder, and Anjelica Huston.
Lonesome Dove is focused on two men who lead a cattle drive and undergo a staggering array of joys, dramas, traumas, and triumphs during their adventures and struggles. Highlighted by incredible performances, gorgeous visuals, and an inspiring story, it truly is the kind of miniseries that can be revisited again and again.
‘Lonesome Dove’ Was Originally Written for John Wayne and Two Other Western Icons
On October 24, 2025, Remind Magazine published an article that chronicled John Wayne’s fascinating and failed relationship with Lonesome Dove. It notes that Lonesome Dove’s story was originally written as a film script. The article quoted the author describing the original plan to adapt the script into a feature film. He co-wrote the screenplay with Peter Bogdanovich, envisioning three Hollywood legends as the leads.
“It was originally written about 1971 for John Wayne, James Stewart and Henry Fonda, with Peter Bogdanovich, fresh from his triumph of The Last Picture Show, to direct. It was quite a good script, I think. The studios loved it.”
Despite the studio being excited and three absolute icons being attached, the movie hit a massive stumbling block because Wayne wasn’t happy with the role he was pegged for. As McMurtry explained, the acting legend wanted to switch parts, and that caused an impasse that made the project stall in development hell for years.
“Wayne didn’t want to play the taciturn Woodrow. He wanted to play Gus, whom McMurtry calls ‘the poet.’ This block existed for years. And Henry Fonda came around, and James Stewart came around, and John Wayne did not come around. And he died. And Henry Fonda died. And it went into a long limbo.”
Eventually, McMurtry bought the rights to his script back from the film studio and adapted it into the award-winning novel. That renewed buzz around the story sparked CBS’ interest in producing a miniseries, which McMurtry ultimately greenlit.
