Godless (TV series)

Godless
Genre Western
Drama
Created by Scott Frank
Written by Scott Frank
Directed by Scott Frank
Starring
Music by Carlos Rafael Rivera
Country of origin United States
No. of episodes 7
Production
Executive producer(s)
Producer(s)
  • Jessica Levin
  • Michael Malone
Production location(s) Santa Fe, New Mexico
Cinematography Steven Meizler
Editor(s) Michelle Tesoro
Camera setup Single-camera
Running time 41–80 minutes
Production company(s)
  • Casey Silver Productions
  • Extension 765
  • Flitcraft, Ltd.
Distributor Netflix
Release
Original network Netflix
Original release November 22, 2017 (2017-11-22)
External links
Website

Godless is an American television western drama mini-series created by Scott Frank for Netflix.[1] The seven-episode limited series began production in Santa Fe, New Mexico in September 2016, and was released on Netflix globally on November 22, 2017.[2][3] The series received positive reviews,[4][5] and was named one of the year's 10 best by The Washington Post and Vanity Fair.[6][7]

Cast

Main

  • Jack O'Connell as Roy Goode, an injured outlaw on the run from his former boss, Frank Griffin. He was orphaned at a young age and was taken in by Griffin. He ultimately breaks up a robbery and takes off with the loot, splitting from his father figure after he no longer can stomach Griffin's behavior.[8]
  • Michelle Dockery as Alice Fletcher.[9]
  • Scoot McNairy as Bill McNue, the sheriff of La Belle and brother of Mary Agnes.[2]
  • Merritt Wever as Mary Agnes McNue, the brash widow of the late mayor of La Belle, a town where almost all of the men have died in a mining accident,[10] and sister of sheriff Bill McNue.
  • Thomas Brodie-Sangster as Whitey Winn, the town deputy who is devoted to the town and the sheriff and afraid of no one.[10]
  • Tantoo Cardinal as Iyovi, Alice's Paiute mother-in-law.
  • Kim Coates as Ed Logan, an arrogant and abrasive company man who comes into La Belle.[2]
  • Sam Waterston as Marshal John Cook, the law in Santa Fe who is on the hunt for Griffin (three episodes).[2]
  • Jeff Daniels as Frank Griffin, a menacing outlaw who is terrorizing the West as he hunts down Roy, his son-like partner turned mortal enemy.[11]

Recurring

  • Samuel Marty as Truckee, Alice's son.
  • Tess Frazer as Callie Dunne, a former prostitute, current teacher and lover of Mary Agnes McNue.
  • Samantha Soule as Charlotte Temple, a nervous and put-together woman always in her Sunday best.
  • Audrey Moore as Sarah Doyle, a randy woman in her thirties dying for a man’s company.[2]
  • Jeremy Bobb as A.T. Grigg, the editor of the Santa Fe Daily Review, who has been obsessed for years with writing about the Griffin Gang.[10]
  • Adam David Thompson as Gatz Brown, Griffin’s righthand man.
  • Russell Dennis Louis as Daryl Devlin, murderous twin brother of Donnie in Griffin’s gang of outlaws.
  • Matthew Dennis Louis as Donnie Devlin, murderous twin brother of Daryl in Griffin’s gang of outlaws.
  • Joe Pingue as Alonzo Bunker, a member of Griffin’s gang of outlaws.
  • Justin Welborn as Floyd Wilson, a skillful tracker in Griffin’s gang of outlaws.[2]
  • Keith Jardine as Dyer Howe, a member of Griffin’s gang of outlaws who is especially useful with knives.
  • Christiane Seidel as Martha Bischoff, a mysterious German woman who raises some suspicion in La Belle[2]
  • Kayli Carter as Sadie Rose, a widow of La Belle
  • Russell G. Jones as Hiram, one of the only surviving men of La Belle.
  • Randy Oglesby as Asa Leopold, one of the only surviving men of La Belle who runs the dry goods store.[2]
  • Duane Howard as Shoshone Brave, a mysterious figure with a dog companion who is trailing Bill McNue.
  • Jessica Sula as Louise Hobbs, Whitey’s love interest and a skilled violinist.
  • Erik LaRay Harvey as Elias Hobbs, Louise’s father and a Civil War veteran.
  • Rob Morgan as John Randall, a Civil War veteran.[12]
  • Julian Grey as William McNue, Bill’s son
  • Marie Wagenman as Trudy McNue, Bill’s daughter

Guest

  • Christopher Fitzgerald as J.J. Valentine, the smooth talking president of the Quicksilver Mining Company looking to take over the mine in La Belle.[2]
  • Whitney Able as Anna McNue, Bill McNue's deceased wife, who died giving birth to their daughter.[13]

Episodes

No.TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal release date
1"An Incident at Creede"Scott FrankScott FrankNovember 22, 2017 (2017-11-22)[14]
Marshal John Cook discovers a train wreck in Creede, Colorado, where all aboard were killed. Cook believes this to be the work of Frank Griffin, a notorious outlaw, in response to his son-figure, Roy Goode, betraying him. Roy winds up at the ranch of Alice Fletcher outside La Belle, New Mexico. Alice shoots Roy, but nurses him back to health with the help of Iyovi, her Paiute mother-in-law, and Truckee, Alice's mixed-race son. Cook arrives in La Belle, a town of mostly women after most men were killed in a mining accident. He alerts Sheriff Bill McNue of the incident at Creede. Bill goes to Alice's ranch, where he meets Roy who explains the event; Roy stole the money Frank and his gang stole from the train, drew the gang away, then faced them down in a canyon where Roy shot off Frank's left arm. Roy surrenders to Bill who takes him into custody.
2"The Ladies of La Belle"Scott FrankScott FrankNovember 22, 2017 (2017-11-22)
The Quicksilver Mining Company, led by J.J. Valentine and accompanied by head of security Ed Logan, arrive in La Belle to discuss the future of the mine. Quicksilver proposes a deal to get La Belle back on its feet. While Mary Agnes McNue, Bill's sister and the widow of the town mayor, believes the deal to be suspicious, she is overruled and the town takes the deal. Frank confronts A.T. Grigg, a newspaper editor, and forces him to write an article enhancing Frank's image. Bill and Roy discuss finding Frank before he tracks Roy to La Belle. Bill goes off in search of Frank, leaving his deputy Whitey Winn in charge of Roy. However, Alice breaks Roy out. Alice strikes a deal with Roy, giving him food, a place to sleep, and teaching him to read in exchange for him breaking her horses. Bill hears a story from a cafe patron about a gang of 25 men (the size of Frank's gang). Bill then schedules a meeting with Cook.
3"Wisdom of the Horse"Scott FrankScott FrankNovember 22, 2017 (2017-11-22)
Bill rides to the canyon where Roy stood down Frank's gang. Bill meets a Native American on a horse, who points out Bill's deteriorating eyesight and tells him he's "lost his shadow". Cook meets with Valentine, and Cook urges Quicksilver to get down to La Belle and protect the town against Frank Griffin. At Alice's ranch, Whitey, Mary Agnes, and other townsfolk arrive, asking for Roy back; however, they do not know it is really Roy Goode, as Bill told Whitey and others his name was "Mr. Ward". Alice strikes a deal, agreeing to sell her surplus of horses to the town if Roy can stay and break them. Bill stumbles upon a family traumatized by a run-in with Frank and his gang, and the family urges Bill to find and kill Frank. Meanwhile, Whitey goes to Blackdom, a small village near La Belle made up of Buffalo Soldiers, to take violin lessons from Louise, a girl he has a crush on; however, the village does not take kindly to him. Mary Agnes shares a moment with Callie, her lover and the town teacher. Grigg publishes Frank's story, saying the gang is coming for Roy and will kill Roy and anyone who protects him. Logan arrives at La Belle with his security men and declares himself "the law" with Bill's absence. Whitey is warned to be wary of the Buffalo Soldiers. Cook arrives at his meeting place with Bill. However, Cook is surprised by the appearance of the Griffin Gang, who shoot and kill Cook.
4"Fathers & Sons"Scott FrankScott FrankNovember 22, 2017 (2017-11-22)
Bill arrives at the meeting place and finds Cook's dead body. After noticing the local law's lack of interest in doing anything, and seeing that a Griffin gang member stole Cook's badge, Bill becomes more motivated to find Frank. The Griffin Gang finds a sick house, where Frank decides to help the sick; he is unafraid to do so as he's "seen his death" and "this ain't it" (a recurring phrase throughout the series). Roy goes hunting with Truckee and Iyovi, where he finds a box of mail in a crashed stage coach. Logan goes to Blackdom and tells the Buffalo Soldiers if they keep to themselves, Quicksilver will divert a river to the village. Grigg, believing Roy to be in La Belle, goes there, but the townsfolk (not knowing Roy is "Mr. Ward") tell him he is being fooled. A flashback introduces Lucy Cole, a nun who cared for Roy and his brother Jim as children. Whitey is told by Louise's father to stay away. After seeing Louise's father beating her, Whitey nearly shoots him, but stops after seeing Roy; Whitey talks to Roy and realizes Roy is a good man. Bill encounters Frank and his gang. After initially trying to fool Frank, Bill admits he is the law. Frank, however, leaves with his gang, as he's not afraid of Bill.
5"Shot the Head off a Snake"Scott FrankScott FrankNovember 22, 2017 (2017-11-22)
Flashbacks show Roy's relationship with Frank and Frank's focus on the gang being family, as well as Roy meeting Frank after leaving Lucy. In the present, Grigg speaks with Charlotte, a calm, religious La Belle resident. Grigg learns of the man at the Fletcher ranch, which he hypothesizes is Roy. Mary Agnes sees Callie with another woman, leading to an argument in the street; she and Whitey wallow in their heartbreak together. Roy and Alice read some of the mail he found, showing his quick learning. Frank and the gang come upon the last known location of Lucy, but she is gone, but know she bought a nearby saloon. Roy shares a moment with Alice, telling her that he became his own father and no longer needed Frank as a surrogate. Grigg sees "Mr. Ward" and knows it to be Roy, and rides off to report his sighting.
6"Dear Roy..."Scott FrankScott FrankNovember 22, 2017 (2017-11-22)
Grigg begins a special edition of his paper which will report Roy being in La Belle. Instead of warning the people, Grigg wants a shootout so he has a story to report. Mary Agnes reunites with Callie. Roy prepares to leave the ranch, and finally reads the letter from his brother Jim (which he received from Lucy in a flashback), revealing him to be in California. Truckee learns Roy plans to leave and becomes furious, lashing out at him, making Roy emotional. Alice approaches Roy and they have sex. The next morning, Roy rides off, but leaves the letter for Alice to read, which she does. Frank reads Grigg's article, and rides off to La Belle.
7"Homecoming"Scott FrankScott FrankNovember 22, 2017 (2017-11-22)
Callie, Mary Agnes, and a few other women read Grigg's paper, where they realize that "Mr. Ward" was actually Roy Goode and has led the Griffin Gang to La Belle. The women go to Alice's ranch, but Roy has already left. Mary Agnes suggests riding to the hills and making Frank believe La Belle is deserted, but find Logan and his men have stolen the horses and fled. Truckee runs away, searching for Roy. Grigg returns to La Belle to report the impending battle. Whitey goes to Blackdom and tries to get the buffalo soldiers to fight with La Belle. Roy and Bill both stumble upon Logan and his men with the horses; they incapacitate the men, take the horses, and ride to La Belle. Frank and his men go to Blackdom, where he attempts to get them to stay out of the fight; however, the people have history with Frank, which leads to a shootout where nearly all of Blackdom are killed. Whitey, however, arrives and saves Louise. Mary Agnes and the women arm themselves and enter the hotel (the only building not made of wood). Alice goes looking for Truckee, but upon seeing the Griffin Gang, goes to La Belle and joins the fight. As the gang arrives, Whitey goes out to confront the gang, but is killed by a thrown knife. A large shootout begins. Soon after, Roy and Bill arrive and join the fight. Many citizens of La Belle and all of the Griffin Gang are killed, but Frank flees. Roy gives pursuit. Frank finds Truckee, who share a brief encounter over Truckee's now-injured horse. Roy then confronts Frank, and shoots Frank in the chest. Frank says "I've seen my death, this ain't it." Roy coldly tells Frank "you've seen wrong" before shooting him in the head, killing him. The survivors hold a funeral for the fallen, when the long awaited preacher finally arrives and gives a eulogy for Whitey. Roy says goodbye to Alice and Truckee, and tells Bill to take care of them. Roy recovers from his wound and rides to California. Later, Alice finds a satchel of money left for her by Roy. Roy arrives at the coast as the screen fades to black.

Reception

The series received positive reviews. Review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 88% "fresh" rating and average rating of 7.79 out of 10, based on 60 reviews, with critics consensus, "Vistas and violence root Godless firmly in traditional Western territory, but its female-driven ensemble sets it apart in a male-dominated genre."[5] On Metacritic, it has a score of 76 out of 100, based on 20 reviews, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[4]

Alan Sepinwall from Uproxx reviewed it positively, saying, "Godless doesn’t quite find that happy middle, but the storytelling excesses created by this format make it more fun than the traditional movie version probably would have been."[15]

Vanity Fair and The Washington Post included Godless on their "best shows of 2017" lists.[6][7]

Awards and nominations

Critics' Choice Television Awards

Year Category Nominee Result Ref
2017 Best Limited Series Godless Nominated
[16]
Best Actor in a Movie/Limited Series Jeff Daniels Nominated
Jack O’Connell Nominated

Directors Guild of America

Year Category Nominee Result Ref
2017 Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Movies for Television and Mini-Series Scott Frank Nominated
[17]

GLAAD Media Award

Year Category Nominee Result Ref
2018 Outstanding TV Movie or Limited Series Godless Nominated
[18]

Primetime Emmy Award

Year Category Nominee Result Ref
2018 Outstanding Limited Series Godless Nominated [19]
Outstanding Lead Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Michelle Dockery Nominated
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Limited Series or Movie Jeff Daniels Won
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Limited Series or Movie Merritt Wever Won
Outstanding Directing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special Scott Frank Nominated
Outstanding Writing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Dramatic Special Scott Frank Nominated
Outstanding Casting for a Limited Series, Movie, or Special Ellen Lewis and Jo Edna Boldin Nominated
Outstanding Cinematography for a Limited Series or Movie Steven Meizler Nominated
Outstanding Hairstyling for a Limited Series or Movie Geordie Sheffer, Megan Daum, Carmen Jones Nominated
Outstanding Music Composition for a Limited Series, Movie, or Special Carlos Rafael Rivera Nominated
Outstanding Original Main Title Theme Music Carlos Rafael Rivera Won
Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited Series, Movie, or Special Wylie Stateman, Eric Hoehn, Harry Cohen, Gregg Swiatlowski, Hector C. Gika, Leo Marcil, Sylvain Lasseur, Jackie Zhou, Tom Kramer Nominated

Screen Actors Guild Award

Year Category Nominee Result Ref
2018 Outstanding Performance by a Male Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series Jeff Daniels Nominated
[20]

Writers Guild of America West

Year Category Nominee Result Ref
2018 Outstanding Writing for a Long Form – Original Scott Frank Nominated
[21]

References

  1. ↑ "Netflix Sets 'Godless' Limited Series From Scott Frank & Steven Soderbergh". Deadline Hollywood. March 1, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 "'Godless' Adds Sam Waterston, Kim Coates, More; Scoot McNairy Confirmed". Deadline Hollywood. September 6, 2016. Retrieved September 6, 2016.
  3. ↑ Snierson, Dan (August 23, 2017). "Godless: Get a First Look at Steven Soderbergh's Western Series for Netflix". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved August 23, 2017.
  4. 1 2 "Godless reviews". Metacritic. Retrieved November 22, 2017.
  5. 1 2 "Godless: Miniseries (2017)". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved May 22, 2018.
  6. 1 2 Struever, Hank (December 6, 2017). "Best TV shows of 2017: 'Twin Peaks,' 'Handmaid's Tale,' 'Vietnam War' and more". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  7. 1 2 Robinson, Joanna (December 7, 2017). "The Best New TV Shows of 2017". Vanity Fair. Retrieved December 8, 2017.
  8. ↑ "Jack O'Connell to Star in Netflix Series 'Godless'". TheWrap. May 11, 2016. Retrieved June 1, 2016.
  9. ↑ "Michelle Dockery Cast As Female Lead In Netflix's 'Godless' Miniseries". Deadline Hollywood. July 25, 2016. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
  10. 1 2 3 "Jeff Daniels, Merritt Wever to Star in Netflix Western 'Godless'". The Hollywood Reporter. June 13, 2016. Retrieved July 25, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Jeff Daniels, Scoot McNairy in Talks to Board Scott Frank's 'Godless'". Deadline Hollywood. May 27, 2016. Retrieved June 9, 2016.
  12. ↑ "'Godless': Rob Morgan Joins Netflix Limited Series; Dustin Ingram In CMT's 'Million Dollar Quartet'". Deadline Hollywood. June 22, 2016. Retrieved September 26, 2016.
  13. ↑ "'Godless': Whitney Able & Samantha Soule Join Netflix Limited Series".
  14. ↑ Petski, Denise. "'Godless' Gets November Premiere Date On Netflix". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved November 5, 2017.
  15. ↑ "Netflix Heads West To A Town Without Men In 'Godless'". November 21, 2017.
  16. ↑ Tapley, Kristopher (December 6, 2017). "Netflix, FX's 'Feud' Lead Critics' Choice TV Nominations". Variety. Retrieved February 4, 2018.
  17. ↑ "DGA Announces Nominees for Outstanding Directorial Achievement in Television, Commercials and Documentary for 2017". Directors Guild of America. January 10, 2018.
  18. ↑ "29th Annual GLAAD Media Awards". GLAAD. January 19, 2018.
  19. ↑ "Godless". Academy of Television Arts & Sciences. Retrieved 13 July 2018.
  20. ↑ "Nominations Announced for the 24th Annual Screen Actors Guild Awards" (PDF). Screen Actors Guild. December 13, 2017.
  21. ↑ "2018 Writers Guild Awards: Television, New Media, News, Radio/Audio, & Promotional Writing Nominations Announced". Writers Guild of America West. December 7, 2017.
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