Few Timothy Olyphant roles have matched up to his major breakout performance inDeadwood, but his return to the Western genre in the 2010 seriesJustifiedmight just be the one to top it. From its initial premiere in 2004,Deadwoodwas the best Western show on television, forever changing the game for the genre in the industry. Though the series was cancelled after only three seasons, eventually receiving a follow-up film in 2019 to conclude it,Deadwoodis still a staple any Western fan should watch, and a look into what makes Olyphant such a great actor.
Deadwoodis undoubtedly one of thebest HBO shows of all time, and a monumental addition to Olyphant’s filmography that stands above most of his other impressive performances. Still,Justifiedcould very well have a claim to being the best role of his career, an impressive feat given how terrific he has been for three decades. No matter where bothDeadwoodandJustifiedrank amongOlyphant’s best movies and TV shows, though, he consistently shines when it comes to the Western genre on television.
Timothy Olyphant Has Done A Lot Since, But Deadwood Remains 1 Of His Greatest Roles
Deadwood Was The Major Breakout Role Olyphant Needed
Taking a gritty and grounded look at Deadwood, South Dakota in the 1870s,Deadwoodhas arguably been the standard when it comes to telling Westerns on televisionfor the last two decades since it first premiered. At the center of its impressive ensemble cast is Timothy Olyphant, who plays Seth Bullock, aDeadwoodcharacter based on a real-life historical figure. He has had a successful career since then, with roles in movies and shows likeThe Mandalorian, Hitman, The Crazies, andOnce Upon a Time in Hollywood, but hisDeadwoodperformance still remains one of his greatest.
There is the simmering anger in Bullock, and Timothy Olyphant is able to convey that perfectly, even when he isn’t giving monologues or much dialogue compared to some of the other characters in the show.
With his more stoic nature, Seth Bullock isn’t an easy character to play, but Olyphant does a remarkable job in the role. His subtlety throughout is incredible, showing the small personality quirks of his character, as well as what makes him tick. On top of all that, there is the simmering anger in Bullock, and Olyphant is able to convey that perfectly even when he isn’t giving monologues or much dialogue compared to some of the other characters in the show. He isn’t able to rely on his natural charisma to carry the role, but he still nails it.
Justified Is The Only Timothy Olyphant Show That Managed To Top Deadwood
It Is A Much Different Type Of Western Series
WhileJustifiedis also part of the Western genre on television, it is a much different show thanDeadwood. It’s a modern-day neo-Western that focuses on culture and people who live around the Appalachian Mountains of Eastern Kentucky. In the series, Timothy Olyphant plays Raylan Givens, a deputy U.S. Marshall who doles out his own brand of justice.Justifiedran for six seasonsand received a one-season spin-off show, with Olyphant’s character once again being at the center of the story.
WhileDeadwoodis a bit more gritty and serious,Justifiedis a lot of fun, with incredible actors really giving some of the best performances of their entire career, including Walton Goggins, who plays Boyd Crowder, one of the show’s main villains. Which show is better is really up to personal preference, but it’s easy to make an argument forJustifiedrising to the top of Olyphant’s best performances.
Why Justified Climbed To The Top Of The Actor’s Lineup
The Show Completely Utilizes The Talent And Charm Of Timothy Olyphant
Even prior toDeadwood(andJustified), Timothy Olyphant’s career was impressive from the start, though not as extensive as it is now. Some of his earlier work includesGo,Gone in 60 Seconds,TheGirl Next Door, andScream 2, wherehe was one of the Ghostface killers.While these are all great projects in their own right, it’s hard to stack them up againstJustified, where Olyphant is putting in a career-best performance.
While Olyphant had to have a much more subdued performance inDeadwoodgiven the figure he was portraying,he was afforded the opportunity to show more complexity and wit as Givens inJustified. WhileDeadwoodis undeniably an amazing show, it just feels likeJustifiedgives Olyphant a little more to chew on when it comes to his character, making him an even more intriguing figure than his role as Seth Bullock ever was.
Timothy Olyphant Has 2 Upcoming Series That Have A Chance To Top His Older Work
His Upcoming Shows Look To Also Be Fantastic
Though Timothy Olyphant’s career has seen great success, he has yet to top his roles inDeadwoodandJustified. It’s entirely possible that could change, though, as he has two upcoming shows that could be very good.The first isAlien: Earth, a prequel series set two years before the sci-fi horror staple,Alien, which is set to premiere on FX and Hulu on July 02, 2025. Noah Hawley serves as the creator and writer of the series. Hawley is mostly known for being the mind behindFargoandLegion, two of the best shows of the past decade.
AlongsideAlien: Earth,Timothy Olyphant will also have a major role in the upcoming Apple TV+ series,Lucky, which is based on the novel of the same name by author Marissa Stapley. ThoughLuckycurrently does not have a release date, it has attracted some top talent, including Anya Taylor-Joy as the eponymous character, with Olyphant playing her father. Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine will co-produce the show, which is a great sign of quality given the company’s track record, includingThe Morning Show, From Scratch, and more.
There is an absurd amount of talent on paper for bothAlien: EarthandLucky, making it entirely possible for either project to climb to the top of his filmography, especially with the significant roles he will have in each. That won’t be an easy feat, though, as his performances in bothDeadwoodandJustifiedare legendary.Justified, especially, is incredibly impressive, given how it is really one of the only Timothy Olyphant roles that can really stand up to the legacyDeadwoodleft behind.
Justified
Cast
Justified: Justified is a character drama series based on Elmore Leonard’s 2001 short story “Fire in the Hole.” Premiering in 2010, it follows U.S. Marshal Raylan Givens in Kentucky, as he navigates his high-stakes job and tumultuous relationships with his ex-wife and father.
Deadwood
Deadwood is a western drama series created for HBO by David Milch. The series takes place in Deadwood, South Dakota, where corruption runs rampant in the gold-mining era as the settlement existed outside the U.S. territory expansion following the Civil War. As the town was the site of a major gold find, it continues to attract people from all walks of life - especially opportunistic criminals.
