Netflix Orders New Series Take On ‘Lonesome Dove’

“Lonesome Dove,” which was originally adapted into an Emmy- and Golden Globe-winning CBS miniseries starring Robert Duvall in 1989, is getting a new take at Netflix. The streamer announced Tuesday that it had ordered “Lonesome Dove” to series, from co-showrunners Zoe Kazan and Jeb Stuart.

Kazan and Stuart were also the co-showrunners on Netflix’s upcoming limited series “East of Eden.” Kazan and Stuart were hired by Teton Ridge Entertainment, which holds the rights to “Lonesome Dove,” the Pulitzer Prize-winning western novel from author Larry McMurtry first released in 1985.

Here’s the logline: “Gus McCrae and Woodrow Call renew their spirit of adventure as they face an uncertain future, embarking on one final, perilous cattle drive from the Rio Grande to the untamed wilderness of Montana in pursuit of a dream that they have perhaps already outlived. These two former Texas Rangers lead an unforgettable cast of characters across the American west in this sweeping odyssey defined by unrequited longing, unbreakable friendship, brutal frontier justice, and an unwavering pursuit of a meaningful life.”

Kazan and Stuart will serve as co-showrunners/writers/executive producers, while EPs also include Thomas Tull, Jillian Share and Jen Gorton of Teton Ridge Entertainment; Jon Jashni; Diana Ossana; and Curtis McMurtry of the McMurtry Estate.

“’Lonesome Dove’ is one of the great American stories, and there was no question we wanted to follow Zoe and Jeb wherever they went next,” said Netflix head of scripted series, U.S. and Canada, Jinny Howe. “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’s going to be something extraordinary. We’re excited to partner with Teton Ridge to bring this legendary story to life.”

In a joint statement, Kazan and Stuart said that “we come to this material with love and respect, and can’t wait to hit the trail with Gus and Call and the rest of these beloved characters.” And Teton Ridge Entertainment president Jillian Share added: “‘Lonesome Dove’ is the kind of story that only comes along once in a generation. Its characters, scope and deeply human portrait of the American West have made it an enduring classic, and we see an extraordinary opportunity to bring Larry McMurtry’s world to a new generation of audiences.”