Netflix has ordered a new series adaptation of “Lonesome Dove,” the story originally brought to television in a 1989 Emmy‑ and Golden Globe‑winning CBS miniseries starring Robert Duvall, with co‑showrunners Zoe Kazan and Jeb Stuart.
Kazan and Stuart, also co‑showrunners of Netflix’s forthcoming limited series “East of Eden,” were selected by Teton Ridge Entertainment, the firm that controls the rights to Larry McMurtry’s Pulitzer‑winning novel “Lonesome Dove.” The 1989 CBS miniseries, a massive hit with 26 million viewers, led to several sequels such as “Return to Lonesome Dove,” “Streets of Laredo,” “Dead Man’s Walk,” and “Comanche Moon,” as well as a 1994 syndicated series.
The series follows former Texas Rangers Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call as they embark on a final, perilous cattle drive from the Rio Grande to Montana, confronting an uncertain future and a dream that may already be out of reach. Their journey, accompanied by a memorable ensemble, explores themes of longing, steadfast friendship, frontier justice, and the quest for a purposeful life on the American frontier.
Teton Ridge purchased the “Lonesome Dove” rights last year and plans to develop the story beginning with the first novel, followed by the sequels “Streets of Laredo,” “Dead Man’s Walk,” and “Comanche Moon.” The books trace the experiences of Texas Rangers from the era of the Republic through the early 20th century, when Texas became part of the United States.
Kazan and Stuart will serve as co‑showrunners, writers, and executive producers. Executive producers also include Thomas Tull, Jillian Share, and Jen Gorton of Teton Ridge Entertainment, Jon Jashni, Diana Ossana, and Curtis McMurtry of the McMurtry Estate. Diana Ossana, McMurtry’s longtime creative partner, is also an executive producer.
Netflix head of scripted series for the U.S. and Canada, Jinny Howe, said, “Lonesome Dove is one of the great American stories, and we wanted to follow Zoe and Jeb wherever they go next. After ‘East of Eden,’ we know exactly what they’re capable of—the depth of character, the sweep of place, the emotional precision. This material deserves that level of care. In their hands, it will be something extraordinary. We look forward to partnering with Teton Ridge to bring this legendary story to life.”
In a joint statement, Kazan and Stuart said they approach the material with love and respect and are eager to bring Gus, Call, and the beloved cast to life on screen. Teton Ridge Entertainment president Jillian Share added that “Lonesome Dove” is a once‑in‑a‑generation story whose characters, scope, and deeply human portrait of the American West make it an enduring classic, offering an extraordinary opportunity to introduce Larry McMurtry’s world to a new generation.
Ossana noted that “Lonesome Dove” has been central to my creative life for decades, an integral part of Larry’s and my partnership. Its characters, landscape, and profound insights into friendship, love, loss, and human longing have remained with me. It is deeply meaningful to help bring this newly imagined, extraordinary version of “Lonesome Dove” to a contemporary audience while preserving the emotional truths that make Larry’s work timeless.
