Hell on Wheels

Hell on Wheels is a historical drama television series that aired on AMC from 2011 to 2016, created by Joe Gayton and Tony Gayton. The show is set in the 1860s and 1870s during the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad, which was built by Union Pacific Railroad and Central Pacific Railroad. The series features a large ensemble cast, including Anson Mount as Cullen Bohannon, Colm Meaney as Thomas Durant, and Common as Elam Ferguson, and explores themes of Old West history, Native American culture, and the Industrial Revolution in the United States. The show's narrative is also influenced by the California Gold Rush, the Kansas-Nebraska Act, and the Reconstruction Era.

Introduction

The series premiere of Hell on Wheels was watched by 4.4 million viewers, making it one of the highest-rated debuts for AMC, behind The Walking Dead and Mad Men. The show's success can be attributed to its unique blend of Western and historical drama elements, which drew comparisons to other popular series like Deadwood and Boardwalk Empire. The show's creators, Joe Gayton and Tony Gayton, were inspired by the works of Mark Twain, Zane Grey, and Louis L'Amour, and consulted with historians from Harvard University and the University of California, Berkeley to ensure the show's accuracy. The series also features a diverse cast, including Jennifer Ferrin as Louise Ellison, Dohn Norwood as Psalm Jackson, and Reg Rogers as James Strobridge, who worked on the Central Pacific Railroad.

Production

The production of Hell on Wheels involved a team of experienced writers, directors, and producers, including John Shiban, John Wirth, and Gareth Davies. The show was filmed on location in Calgary, Alberta, and Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, with additional scenes shot in Los Angeles and New York City. The series' cinematography was handled by Eduardo Serra and Marvin V. Rush, who worked on films like The English Patient and Star Trek: The Next Generation. The show's score was composed by Kevin Kiner, who also worked on Stargate SG-1 and CSI: Miami, and featured music by The National and Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds. The production team also consulted with experts from the Smithsonian Institution and the Library of Congress to ensure the show's historical accuracy.

Plot

The plot of Hell on Wheels revolves around the construction of the First Transcontinental Railroad and the characters who work on it, including Cullen Bohannon, a former Confederate soldier, and Thomas Durant, a wealthy entrepreneur. The series explores themes of Old West history, Native American culture, and the Industrial Revolution in the United States, and features a range of historical events and figures, including the Sand Creek Massacre, the Fetterman Fight, and Ulysses S. Grant. The show also delves into the personal lives of its characters, including their relationships with each other and the challenges they face in the American frontier. The series features a range of notable guest stars, including Gerald McRaney as Barlow, Ralph Waite as Jackson, and Kasha Kropinski as Ruth, and explores the impact of the Railroad Acts and the Homestead Act on the development of the American West.

Characters

The characters in Hell on Wheels are complex and multi-dimensional, with rich backstories and motivations. Cullen Bohannon, played by Anson Mount, is a former Confederate soldier who joins the Union Pacific Railroad to seek revenge against the Union soldiers who killed his family. Thomas Durant, played by Colm Meaney, is a wealthy entrepreneur who is determined to build the First Transcontinental Railroad and make a fortune in the process. Elam Ferguson, played by Common, is a former slave who joins the Union Pacific Railroad and becomes a key player in the construction of the railroad. The series also features a range of notable characters, including Jennifer Ferrin as Louise Ellison, Dohn Norwood as Psalm Jackson, and Reg Rogers as James Strobridge, who worked on the Central Pacific Railroad and interacted with notable figures like Leland Stanford and Mark Hopkins.

Reception

The reception of Hell on Wheels was generally positive, with critics praising the show's unique blend of Western and historical drama elements. The show received several award nominations, including Emmy Award nominations for Outstanding Cinematography for a Single Camera Series and Outstanding Sound Editing for a Series. The show also won several awards, including a Satellite Award for Best Television Series - Drama and a Visual Effects Society Award for Outstanding Supporting Visual Effects in a Broadcast Program. The series was also praised by historians from Yale University and the University of Chicago for its accurate portrayal of Old West history and Native American culture, and was compared to other notable series like The Sopranos and Breaking Bad.

Episodes

The series consists of 57 episodes, spread over five seasons, and features a range of notable episodes, including the pilot episode, Pilot, and the season finale, Hell on Wheels. The series also features several notable guest stars, including Gerald McRaney as Barlow, Ralph Waite as Jackson, and Kasha Kropinski as Ruth, and explores the impact of the Railroad Acts and the Homestead Act on the development of the American West. The series finale, Done, was watched by 2.4 million viewers, and received positive reviews from critics, who praised the show's conclusion and the performances of the cast, including Anson Mount and Colm Meaney. The series has also been praised by notable figures like Stephen King and Elmore Leonard for its unique blend of Western and historical drama elements. Category:Historical drama television series