Hugo Blick's expansive western, The English, has been hailed as an underappreciated gem by viewers, drawing comparisons to recent hits such as Yellowstone and American Primeval. The six-episode series, which aired on BBC Two and Amazon Prime in late 2022, follows Eli Whipp, a Pawnee ex-U.S. Army scout, and Lady Cornelia Locke, an Englishwoman seeking vengeance, as they traverse the dying days of the Old West.
The plot centres on Whipp's journey to Nebraska to claim territory promised for his military service, where he faces treachery and the hollow assurances of a collapsing empire. Alongside him, Locke, played by Emily Blunt, pursues the man responsible for her son's death. Chaske Spencer portrays Whipp, delivering a commanding performance that has drawn particular praise.
Fans have noted striking similarities between The English and American Primeval, with Screen Rant's Emily Long observing that both shows feature a strong female lead and a travelling partner encountering numerous challenges. One IMDb reviewer, in a 10-star review, wrote: "Every scene, every word, each gesture, to a person reaches out, aiming for the heart. Relentlessly uncovering a story that weaves beauty and horror in equal measure."
The series has also earned recognition from industry bodies, with Spencer and Blunt receiving nominations at the British Academy Television Awards and Screen Actors Guild Awards respectively, while Stephen Rea won an Irish Film and Television Award for his portrayal of Sheriff Robert Marshall. The 67,000-strong Reddit community r/Western has similarly embraced the show, with one user calling it "one of the better Western series in a while".
Beyond performances, the production has been commended for Arnau Valls Colomer's cinematography and Federico Jusid's orchestral score. While some critics found the opening episode slow, such concerns generally dissipated as the story gained momentum. The English is currently available to stream on BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime.
