Lonesome Dove (1989)
The landmark CBS Western miniseries that redefined prestige television, following two retired Texas Rangers on an unforgettable cattle drive across the American frontier.
Lonesome Dove - Series Information
- Original Title: Lonesome Dove
- First Air Year: 1989
- Last Air Year: 1989
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama, Western
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Episode Runtime: Average runtime per episode (90 minutes)
- Number of Seasons: 1
- Number of Episodes: 4
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: February 5, 1989 (United States - TV-14), February 5, 1989 (Canada - 14+)
- Networks: CBS
- Production Companies: Qintex Entertainment, Motown Productions, Wittliff - Pangaea, RHI Entertainment, Sonar Entertainment, Taurus Film
- Production Countries: United States of America
- Alternative Titles: Der Ruf des Adlers (DE), Texasi krónikák - Lonesome Dove (HU), Larry McMurtry's Lonesome Dove (US), 머나먼 대서부 (KR), 孤鸽镇 (CN), De red mod nord (DK)
Lonesome Dove - Plot
A pair of longtime friends and former Texas Rangers crave one last adventure before hanging-up their spurs. After stealing over a thousand head of cattle from rustlers south of the border, they recruit an unlikely crew of hands to drive the herd 3,000 miles north to the grasslands of Montana.
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Lonesome Dove - Cast & Crew
Main Cast
- Robert Duvall
- Tommy Lee Jones
- Diane Lane
- Robert Urich
- D. B. Sweeney
- Danny Glover
- Rick Schroder
- Glenne Headly
- Steve Buscemi
- Anjelica Huston
Writers
- William D. Wittliff
Executive Producers
- William D. Wittliff
- Suzanne de Passe
Lonesome Dove - FAQs
Is Lonesome Dove based on a true story?
Lonesome Dove is based on Larry McMurtry's Pulitzer Prize-winning 1985 novel of the same name. While fictional, the story draws heavily on the real history of 19th-century cattle drives, Texas Rangers, and frontier life. Several characters were loosely inspired by legendary figures from the American West.
Where can you stream Lonesome Dove?
Lonesome Dove is available to stream on Amazon Prime Video, fuboTV, Peacock Premium, and Philo. Free ad-supported viewing is available on The Roku Channel, Pluto TV, and Shout! Factory TV. It can also be purchased or rented on Amazon Video, Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home.
Did Lonesome Dove win any major awards?
Lonesome Dove swept the 1989 Emmy Awards, winning seven Primetime Emmys including Outstanding Miniseries. Robert Duvall and Tommy Lee Jones both received acting nominations, and the miniseries also earned Golden Globe recognition. It remains one of the most decorated television Westerns in broadcast history.
Who are the main actors in Lonesome Dove?
The cast is led by Robert Duvall as the charming Augustus 'Gus' McCrae and Tommy Lee Jones as the stoic Woodrow F. Call. Supporting roles are filled by Diane Lane, Robert Urich, Danny Glover, Rick Schroder, D. B. Sweeney, Glenne Headly, Steve Buscemi, and Anjelica Huston.
Is Lonesome Dove worth watching today?
Absolutely. Lonesome Dove holds a legendary reputation as one of the greatest TV miniseries ever produced. The chemistry between Duvall and Jones is electric, the sweeping cinematography rivals big-screen Westerns, and the storytelling balances epic adventure with genuine emotional depth. It set the standard for prestige television long before the term existed.
How many episodes does Lonesome Dove have?
Lonesome Dove consists of four feature-length episodes, each running approximately 90 minutes. Originally broadcast as a miniseries on CBS in February 1989, the four parts together form a roughly six-hour epic that adapts Larry McMurtry's sprawling Pulitzer Prize-winning novel.
What happened to Gus McCrae at the end of Lonesome Dove?
Gus McCrae suffers a fatal leg wound from an arrow during a skirmish in Montana. Refusing amputation of his second leg, he dies on his own terms — a decision that defines his free-spirited character. His final wish, to be buried back in Texas, drives one of the miniseries' most poignant and memorable closing acts.
Are there any sequels or spin-offs to Lonesome Dove?
Yes. The success of Lonesome Dove spawned several follow-up miniseries: Return to Lonesome Dove (1993), Streets of Laredo (1995), and Dead Man's Walk (1996). These adaptations draw from Larry McMurtry's broader Lonesome Dove novel series, though the original 1989 miniseries remains by far the most celebrated entry.
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