Netflix recently released a new Western series,Territory, and it may just giveYellowstonea run for its money.Territoryis an AustralianWestern drama showthat follows various members ofthe Lawson family as they fight for ownership of their family farm, Marianne Station.However, the cracks running through their family allow others to vie for the farm as well, including rival farmers, gangsters, miners, and Indigenous leaders. Ultimately, this leads to an intense battle for succession. Despite premiering just a day or two ago, the show has already garnered an 80% onRotten Tomatoes.
So far,Territoryhas earned quite a bit of praise for its storytelling and attention to detail. Though the show could be considered soapy, this level of drama actually makes the series all the more riveting. Audiences are immediately pulled into the simmering tensions betweenthe Lawson familyand their competition. Furthermore,Territorysucceeds at showing various different perspectives, including those of the Indigenous characters, who are so often forgotten in these types of narratives. Ultimately,Territoryprovides amazing visuals and an engrossing story that will transport its viewers straight into the Australian outback.
Netflix’s Western Show Territory Is A Great Replacement Watch For Yellowstone
What Territory Does Better Than Yellowstone
Based on the premise alone, it is clear thatTerritoryis a perfect watch forYellowstonefans. The two series have many commonalities, including genre, themes, and to a certain degree, setting. Although John Dutton is firmly at the head ofthe Dutton family, his children play a massive part in the show, just like inTerritory.Furthermore, both shows place an emphasis on the conflicts between farmers and other groups, which can often lead to violence. Australia may be a long way from Montana, but the essences of these stories are quite the same.
The Lawsons are all vying for control of Marianne Station inTerritory,which gives the show a clear goal it’s working towards.
In many ways,Territoryactually improves the story thatYellowstoneis trying to tell. WhereYellowstonehas often struggled to balance its Indigenous characters with its white characters,Territory’scastis more successfully represented. On top of that,Territoryseemingly has a much more obvious goal thanYellowstone.The Lawsons are all vying for control of Marianne Station inTerritory,which gives the show a clear goal it’s working towards.Yellowstoneis a bit more abstract, following the general problems faced by John Dutton and his family members. Thus,Territoryoffers a bit more bite thanYellowstone.
How The Lawson Family’s Dynamics Compare To Yellowstone’s Dutton Family
Yellowstone’s Scale Is Good (And Bad)
At the core of bothTerritoryandYellowstoneare family politics. In some ways,the troubles of the Duttons and the Lawsons feel incredibly similar.Just as Beth, Jamie, and Kayce have varying visions for the future of the Dutton Ranch, Emily, Graham, and Marshall are all hoping to take control of Marianne Station, regardless of the patriarch’s wishes. Really, the only difference is that the Lawson’s fight is much more concentrated than the Duttons. While the Lawsons are in an explicit battle for succession, the Duttons' situation is more complicated, and therefore, less intense.
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In reality,Yellowstonehas a much bigger scale thanTerritory,especially in terms of the family dynamic. The Duttons have more family members and friends than the Lawsons do, and arguably, even more enemies.This makes the world ofYellowstonefeel much larger than that ofTerritory,which is a good and bad thing. On one hand,Yellowstone’svastness allows for a long-running story that is complicated and intriguing. However, it also dilutes some of the story’s intensity and gives the show too many different aspects to juggle all at once.
How Territory Season 1’s Reviews Compare To Yellowstone
Will Territory Be As Big As Yellowstone?
TerritoryandYellowstonemay be similar, but their reviews have some key differences.WhenYellowstoneseason 1 first aired in 2018, the series earned a rather disappointing 57% critics' scoreon Rotten Tomatoes, though its audience score was much better at 83%. Currently,Territoryhas a solid 80% critics' score, and the audience score hasn’t been tallied just yet. In this way,Territorycould certainly pull ahead ofYellowstone,at least in terms of first season critical acclaim. At the very least,Territoryis off to a much better start thanYellowstonewas.
57%
83%
80%
TBD
Critical reactions aside though,Territorymay not reach the same levels of popularity thatYellowstonedid. Although the show may be better received thanYellowstone,it doesn’t boast the samestar power thatYellowstonedid via Kevin Costner. Furthermore, the Australian setting may makeTerritoryless relatable to viewers thanYellowstone’sMontana setting.Territoryis still in its infancy, but if it truly wants to outdoYellowstone,it will have to grow into another unstoppable franchise.
Territory
Cast
Set against the backdrop of the world’s largest cattle station, this drama follows the intense generational conflict that ensues when a clear heir is absent. As rival factions compete for control, the series examines themes of legacy, power, and the struggle for dominance over the land’s future.
Yellowstone
Yellowstone follows the Dutton family, led by patriarch John Dutton, as they defend their expansive ranch against external threats from land developers, an Indian reservation, and America’s first national park. Released on June 04, 2025, this series examines the complex dynamics and violent conflicts surrounding the largest contiguous ranch in the United States.
