Return to Lonesome Dove (1993)
The epic Western saga continues as Captain Woodrow Call embarks on a perilous 2,500-mile cattle drive through the untamed American frontier.
Return to Lonesome Dove - Series Information
- Original Title: Return to Lonesome Dove
- First Air Year: 1993
- Last Air Year: 1993
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Western
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (85 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 4
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: November 14, 1993 (United States - TV-14), November 14, 1993 (Canada - 14+)
- Networks: CBS
- Production Companies: De Passe Entertainment
- Production Countries: United States of America
Return to Lonesome Dove - Plot
After returning the body of Gus McCrae to Lonesome Dove, Woodrow Call takes on the challenge of driving a herd of wild mustangs 2500 miles north to the Hat Creek Ranch in Montana. But tragedy, triumph, despair and deceit will greet him before he ever gets there.
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Return to Lonesome Dove - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Jon Voight
- Barbara Hershey
- Rick Schroder
- William Petersen
- Oliver Reed
- Dennis Haysbert
- Reese Witherspoon
- Timothy Scott
- Chris Cooper
- CCH Pounder
Writers
- John Wilder
Executive Producers
- Dyson Lovell
- Robert Halmi Jr.
- Suzanne de Passe
- John Wilder
Return to Lonesome Dove - FAQs
Is Return to Lonesome Dove a sequel to the original?
Yes, it picks up directly after the events of the beloved 1989 miniseries Lonesome Dove. Captain Woodrow Call has just returned Gus McCrae's body to Texas and now faces a new epic journey northward — though the sequel features an entirely new cast in the familiar roles.
Who stars in Return to Lonesome Dove?
Jon Voight leads the cast as Captain Woodrow Call, joined by Barbara Hershey, Rick Schroder, William Petersen, and Oliver Reed. A young Reese Witherspoon also appears, alongside Dennis Haysbert, Chris Cooper, CCH Pounder, and Timothy Scott in this all-star Western ensemble.
Where can you stream Return to Lonesome Dove?
The miniseries is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, and Peacock Premium. Free ad-supported viewing is available on Tubi TV, Pluto TV, The CW, and Plex. You can also buy or rent episodes on Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home.
Is Return to Lonesome Dove based on a book?
The miniseries is inspired by the world of Larry McMurtry's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel Lonesome Dove, though it is not a direct adaptation of a specific sequel novel. Screenwriter John Wilder crafted an original story continuing the characters and frontier spirit of McMurtry's beloved Western universe.
How many episodes does Return to Lonesome Dove have?
Return to Lonesome Dove consists of four feature-length episodes, each running approximately 85 minutes. Originally broadcast on CBS in November 1993, the miniseries was designed to be watched as a single sweeping narrative across its four installments, much like its celebrated predecessor.
Did Reese Witherspoon appear in Return to Lonesome Dove?
One of Reese Witherspoon's earliest television roles was in this miniseries, where she played Ferris Dunnigan. She was just 17 at the time of filming, and the role gave early audiences a glimpse of the charisma and screen presence that would soon make her a major Hollywood star.
How was Return to Lonesome Dove received by critics?
Critical reception was mixed. Many praised Jon Voight's commanding performance and the sweeping frontier cinematography, but some felt the sequel couldn't fully recapture the magic of the original. Audiences who loved the 1989 miniseries generally found it an enjoyable, if imperfect, continuation of the Lonesome Dove saga.
What are similar shows to Return to Lonesome Dove?
Fans of this miniseries will likely enjoy Lonesome Dove (1989), the original that started it all, as well as Texas Rising (2015) and Hell on Wheels (2011) for more frontier drama. For modern Western epics, 1883 (2021) and Yellowstone (2018) offer a compelling contemporary take on the American West.
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