If Western fanatics are searching for a new series to binge, this might be the one for you. Premiering in 2004, Deadwood follows those living in a lawless frontier camp in the 1870s. Outside US jurisdiction, Deadwood is an illegal settlement within land granted to Native Americans, meaning there's no formal government and everyone hopes to fight for control. Full of criminals but also those searching for a better life, Deadwood becomes a battlefield for survival.

Loosely based on historical events, a number of real figures appear in the series, including Seth Bullock, a lawman who arrives in town to set up a hardware business. Viewers will recognise Timothy Olyphant from another iconic Western series, but many will know his portrayal of Bullock came first. At the centre of the series is Al Swearengen, played by Ian McShane, the tough and often ruthless owner of the town's saloon, brothel and hotel.

The ensemble cast also stars Molly Parker as Alma Garret, Jim Beaver as Whitney Ellsworth, Brad Dourif as Dr. Amos "Doc" Cochran and John Hawkes as Sol Star.

The synopsis reads: "People flee to Deadwood, South Dakota, with the dream of getting rich. However, not everyone can survive the chaos and confusion the town has to offer due to the lack of law facilities."

Produced and largely written by David Milch, the HBO series ran for three seasons from 2004 to 2006 and is praised for reigniting popularity within the Western genre. Several of the main cast members, including Olyphant and McShane, reprised their roles for Deadwood: The Movie, released in 2019.

The original series is available to stream on Paramount+, while the film can be purchased on Amazon Prime. Over two decades since its release, Deadwood continues to captivate viewers and is still regarded as one of the greatest Western series ever made.

Lauding the show online, one wrote on X: "Continuing on with season one of Deadwood... now starting episode four. Certainly the greatest TV show/Western of all time."

Another agreed: "Deadwood. I never thought I'd hear myself say a Western is one of the greatest shows of all time, but here we are."

One fan on IMDb said the series is the "apex of the western genre", adding: "It is absolutely the best series ever written, acted and directed. The character development is simply astonishing. Gritty, realistic, and true to life this series most likely will never be topped in many categories."

Another posted: "If you have not watched Deadwood, allow me to guide you through watching it. It is beyond a masterpiece and will make you feel feelings you thought were impossible."

An additional fan penned: "Absolutely superb. I don't think I've ever given anything a 10/10 before, but for a TV show, Deadwood is excellent - and given the crap we're generally subjected to on the box, absolutely outstanding. The sets, the research, the directing, the characters, the acting - all shine."

Someone else echoed: "This stands out for me as one of the best series I have ever seen hit the small screen. The attention to detail,story and character is second to none. Deadwood is brought to life by the good, the bad and the very ugly- with some of the most wonderfully theatrically profane, but ultra-realistic dialogue of any western."