Joe Pickett (TV series) explained

Composer:The Newton Brothers
Country:United States
Num Seasons:2
Num Episodes:20
Producer:Linda Rogers-Ambury
Location:Canada
Runtime:42–59 minutes
Network:Spectrum
Network2:Paramount+

Joe Pickett is an American neo-Western crime drama television series based on characters created by novelist C.J. Box. The series is produced by Paramount Television Studios and was initially released on Spectrum Originals in 2021, and then on Paramount+.[1] The series stars Michael Dorman, Julianna Guill, Sharon Lawrence, Paul Sparks, Mustafa Speaks, and David Alan Grier.[2] [3]

The first season premiered on December 6, 2021, and consisted of ten episodes. In February 2022, the series was renewed for a second season[4] which premiered on June 4, 2023, on Paramount+.[5] In October 2023, the series was canceled after two seasons.[6]

Synopsis

Season 1

The series follows the life of Joe Pickett, a game warden who moves with his wife Marybeth and their daughters to Saddlestring, Wyoming, to oversee the wilderness surrounding Yellowstone National Park, taking over for Vern Dunnegan. Joe soon discovers the body of poacher Ote Keeley in his backyard, uncovering a conspiracy involving the influential Scarlett family, Vern, and his friend Wacey Hedeman, who has invested in land for a profitable pipeline deal. Sightings of a supposedly extinct species (a fictional version of black-footed ferret) jeopardize their scheme, leading them to drastic measures, forcing Joe to protect both his family and the wildlife he’s sworn to preserve.[7]

Season 2

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Guest

Episodes

Season 2 (2023)

Production

Cast

In April 2021, it was announced that Michael Dorman would star in the title role whilst David Alan Grier, Julianna Guill, Sharon Lawrence, Mustafa Speaks, Paul Sparks, Skywalker Hughes and Kamryn Pilva joined the cast as series regulars.[8]

In June 2022, Vivienne Guynn, Chad Rook and Aadila Dosani were promoted to series regulars for the second season. Keean Johnson also joined the cast as a series regular whilst Alex Breaux, Sean Wei Mah, John Ralston, Cheryl De Luca, Chris Gauthier, Emily Alabi, T’áncháy Redvers and Aaron Dean Eisenberg were set to recur.[9]

Development

In March 2021, Spectrum Originals ordered Joe Pickett straight to series and would be based on C.J. Box's series of novels of the same name.[10] The first season was an adaptation of the first and third Joe Pickett novels, Open Season and Winterkill respectively.[11] On October 31, 2023, the series was canceled after two seasons.[6]

Filming

Although the series' setting is the rural town of Saddlestring, Wyoming, the series was filmed on location around Calgary,[12] specifically the Cochrane area.[13]

In July 2022, the second season started production in Okotoks, Alberta and High River, Alberta.[14]

Themes

Joe Pickett is part of a resurgence in the Western genre.[15] [16]

Release

The series was initially a streaming exclusive for Spectrum, having launched in December 2021, during which time it became the most-watched series on the network. The first season was later added to Paramount+.

Reception

Joe Keller, writing a review for Decider.com, says "Joe Pickett has some unexpected humor among the darkness, and a title character that shows his weaknesses and baggage on his face, even to the people he’s trying to help or arrest. It’s a show that has a more realistic feel and flows a lot better than some of the shows we’ve seen in the Western genre of late."[17]

TV Guide's Matt Roush writes, "I mean it as the highest compliment when I suggest that anyone who followed Longmire from cable to Netflix will find a kindred spirit here. From the early episodes, this also appears to be following the outlines of Box’s disciplined storytelling more faithfully than the bizarrely baroque Big Sky."[18]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Wyoming game warden 'Joe Pickett' hunts for new adventures. 2022-02-09. spectrumnews1.com. en.
  2. Web site: Zorrilla . Mónica Marie . 2021-04-19 . David Alan Grier, Sharon Lawrence Among Five to Join Cast of Spectrum Originals Drama 'Joe Pickett' . 2022-07-01 . Variety . en-US.
  3. Web site: Petski . Denise . 2021-07-07 . 'Joe Pickett': Virgin River's Benjamin Hollingsworth Joins Spectrum Originals Drama As Recurring . 2023-01-20 . Deadline . en-US.
  4. Web site: White. Peter. 2022-02-09. 'Joe Pickett' Renewed For Season 2 At Spectrum; Michael Dorman Drama Becomes Network's Most Watched Series As Paramount+ Set To Stream. 2022-02-09. Deadline. en-US.
  5. Web site: Rice. Lynette. 'Joe Pickett': Paramount+ Drops New Trailer, Reveals Season 2 Return Of Neo-Western Drama. Deadline Hollywood. April 11, 2023. April 11, 2023.
  6. Web site: Mitovich. Matt Webb. Joe Pickett Not Returning for Season 3. TVLine. October 31, 2023. October 31, 2023.
  7. Web site: Petty . Michael John . 2024-01-27 . Don't Sleep on This Neo-Western Murder Mystery Series . Collider . en.
  8. Web site: Petski . Denise. 'Joe Pickett': David Alan Grier, Julianna Guill, Sharon Lawrence, Mustafa Speaks, Paul Sparks, Among 7 Cast In Spectrum Originals Drama. Deadline Hollywood. April 19, 2021. February 11, 2023.
  9. Web site: White. Peter. 'Joe Pickett': Keean Johnson Joins Season 2 Of Spectrum Series As Trio Upped To Regulars . Deadline Hollywood. June 22, 2022. February 11, 2023.
  10. Web site: Petski . Nellie Andreeva,Denise . Andreeva . Nellie . Petski . Denise . 2021-03-18 . Michael Dorman To Headline 'Joe Pickett' Drama Series Ordered By Spectrum Originals . 2022-07-01 . Deadline . en-US.
  11. Web site: 2021-12-27 . Mustafa Speaks Interview: Joe Pickett . 2022-07-02 . ScreenRant . en-US.
  12. Web site: New Zealand actor Michael Dorman, David Alan Grier to star in Calgary-shot series Joe Pickett . 2022-07-01 . calgaryherald . en-CA.
  13. Web site: Filming about to begin for Joe Pickett series in Cochrane . 2022-07-02 . CochraneNow.
  14. Web site: Joe Pickett back in the Foothills for season two . 2022-07-02 . HighRiverOnline.
  15. Web site: Ingram . Hunter . 2022-06-21 . Inside the Resurgence of the Wild, Wild West on TV — and Why It's Happening Now . 2022-07-02 . Variety . en-US.
  16. Web site: Petty . Michael John . 2024-01-27 . Don't Sleep on This Neo-Western Murder Mystery Series . 2024-02-17 . Collider . en.
  17. Web site: 'Joe Pickett' Paramount Plus Review: Stream It Or Skip It? . 2022-07-03 . en-US.
  18. Web site: Roush . Matt . Roush Review: Don't Underestimate Spectrum's 'Joe Pickett' . 2022-07-03 . TV Insider . 6 December 2021 . en-US.

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