AceShowbiz - Just before Taylor Sheridan’s groundbreaking series Yellowstone redefined the Western genre, Pierce Brosnan starred in a Western drama that initially flew under the radar but is now finding renewed interest in the PVOD market. The show, The Son, originally aired on AMC from 2017 to 2019 and has recently climbed the domestic iTunes charts, signaling a resurgence long after its two-season run ended.

Before the Yellowstone era, the Western genre experienced sporadic successes, with notable films directed by acclaimed filmmakers such as Quentin Tarantino and the Coen Brothers. Tarantino’s Django Unchained and The Hateful Eight, alongside the Coens’ True Grit and The Ballad of Buster Scruggs, demonstrated the genre’s potential. AMC itself had invested in Western storytelling through the five-season series Hell on Wheels. Yet, these successes were rare and did not spark a consistent revival of the genre.

With Sheridan’s Yellowstone and its spin-offs like 1883 and 1923, the Western genre has enjoyed a renaissance. This renewed popularity has cast a spotlight on earlier and contemporary Western projects. For example, Netflix’s recent releases include American Primeval, directed by Peter Berg and starring Taylor Kitsch, which holds a 72% score on Rotten Tomatoes. Conversely, Netflix’s The Abandons was canceled after one season despite a turbulent production.

AMC has also returned to Western programming with Dark Winds, a series executive produced by George R.R. Martin and Robert Redford, while Paramount+ released Joe Pickett. It is notable that The Son aired on AMC just a year before Yellowstone premiered, placing it on the cusp of this genre revival.

The Son stars Pierce Brosnan as a Texas rancher-turned-oilman named Eli McCullough, navigating the tumultuous economic and social changes of 1915. The show also features Zahn McClarnon, known for his role in Dark Winds. Despite its compelling premise and strong lead performance, the series received mixed reviews throughout its run. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 52% critic score with consensus noting that while the narrative is epic and the central performance strong, the pacing and direction were often criticized as slow and superficial.

Although The Son did not achieve the widespread acclaim or commercial success that Yellowstone enjoyed, its recent climb on iTunes suggests a growing audience appreciation or curiosity, possibly fueled by the current Western revival. This renewed interest highlights the show's thematic relevance and the appeal of Brosnan’s lead role in a genre that is experiencing a significant resurgence.

Following The Son, Pierce Brosnan has continued to secure high-profile roles, including the Paramount+ hit MobLand, which is set to return for a second season soon. Fans of Brosnan and Western dramas will likely watch closely as his career progresses within this revitalized genre landscape.

As the Western genre continues to evolve with new series and growing fanbases, shows like The Son demonstrate that earlier projects can gain fresh momentum and appreciation, even years after their initial release. For viewers and industry watchers alike, this trend signals exciting times ahead for Western storytelling on television.