Joe Pickett (TV series)

Last updated
Joe Pickett
Genre
Based onJoe Pickett
by C. J. Box
Directed by
Starring
Composer The Newton Brothers
Country of originUnited States
No. of seasons2
No. of episodes20
Production
Executive producers
ProducerLinda Rogers-Ambury
Production locationCanada
Running time42–59 minutes
Production companies
Original release
Network Spectrum
ReleaseDecember 6 (2021-12-06) 
December 27, 2021 (2021-12-27)
Network Paramount+
ReleaseJune 4 (2023-06-04) 
July 30, 2023 (2023-07-30)

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]

Contents

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. [1] [7]

Season 2

Cast and characters

Main

Recurring

Guest

Episodes

Series overview

SeasonEpisodesOriginally released
First releasedLast releasedNetwork
1 10December 6, 2021 (2021-12-06)December 27, 2021 (2021-12-27) Spectrum Originals
2 10June 4, 2023 (2023-06-04)July 30, 2023 (2023-07-30) Paramount+

Season 1 (2021)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byTeleplay byOriginal release date
11"Monster at the Gate" John Erick Dowdle John Erick Dowdle & Drew DowdleDecember 6, 2021 (2021-12-06)
22"Circling Vultures"John Erick DowdleJohn Erick Dowdle & Drew DowdleDecember 6, 2021 (2021-12-06)
33"Joey, Get Your Gun"Everardo GoutSamir MehtaDecember 6, 2021 (2021-12-06)
44"A Conspiracy of Ravens"Everardo GoutStacy ChboskyDecember 13, 2021 (2021-12-13)
55"Live and Look Like a Million"Drew DowdleSamir MehtaDecember 13, 2021 (2021-12-13)
66"Shoot, Shovel and Shut Up" Jennifer Morrison Sarah Marie MassonDecember 20, 2021 (2021-12-20)
77"The Most Hated Man in 12 Sleeps"Jennifer MorrisonJohn Erick Dowdle & Drew DowdleDecember 20, 2021 (2021-12-20)
88"The Killing Fields"Drew DowdleStacy ChboskyDecember 27, 2021 (2021-12-27)
99"Endangered"Drew DowdleJada NationDecember 27, 2021 (2021-12-27)
1010"Open Season"Drew DowdleJohn Erick Dowdle & Drew DowdleDecember 27, 2021 (2021-12-27)

Season 2 (2023)

No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byTeleplay by [9] Original release date [10]
111"The Missing and the Dead" Stephen Woolfenden John Erick Dowdle June 4, 2023 (2023-06-04)
122"The Question Why"Stephen WoolfendenStacy ChboskyJune 4, 2023 (2023-06-04)
133"Stop the Slaughter!"Blackhorse LoweIsaac GomezJune 11, 2023 (2023-06-11)
144"Buck Wild"Blackhorse LoweNelson GreavesJune 18, 2023 (2023-06-18)
155"Heads Will Roll"Drew DowdleSarah Marie MassonJune 25, 2023 (2023-06-25)
166"Ducks and Falcons"Drew DowdleDiego D. MorenoJuly 2, 2023 (2023-07-02)
177"Fair Chase" Janice Cooke Alice DennardJuly 9, 2023 (2023-07-09)
188"A Call For Help"Janice CookeStacy ChboskyJuly 16, 2023 (2023-07-16)
199"If This Is Goodbye"Shana SteinNelson GreavesJuly 23, 2023 (2023-07-23)
2010"The Third Way"Shana SteinJohn Erick DowdleJuly 30, 2023 (2023-07-30)

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. [11]

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. [8]

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. [12] The first season was an adaptation of the first and third Joe Pickett novels, Open Season and Winterkill respectively. [1] [13] 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, [14] specifically the Cochrane area. [15]

In July 2022, the second season started production in Okotoks, Alberta and High River, Alberta. [16]

Themes

Joe Pickett is part of a resurgence in the Western genre. [1] [17] [18]

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. [4] 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." [19]

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 ." [20]

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References

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  9. "Joe Pickett". Writers Guild of America West . Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  10. "Shows A-Z – Joe Pickett on Paramount+". The Futon Critic . Retrieved March 22, 2023.
  11. Petski, Denise (April 19, 2021). "'Joe Pickett': David Alan Grier, Julianna Guill, Sharon Lawrence, Mustafa Speaks, Paul Sparks, Among 7 Cast In Spectrum Originals Drama". Deadline Hollywood . Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  12. Petski, Nellie Andreeva,Denise; Andreeva, Nellie; Petski, Denise (2021-03-18). "Michael Dorman To Headline 'Joe Pickett' Drama Series Ordered By Spectrum Originals". Deadline. Retrieved 2022-07-01.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
  13. "Mustafa Speaks Interview: Joe Pickett". ScreenRant. 2021-12-27. Retrieved 2022-07-02.
  14. "New Zealand actor Michael Dorman, David Alan Grier to star in Calgary-shot series Joe Pickett". calgaryherald. Retrieved 2022-07-01.
  15. "Filming about to begin for Joe Pickett series in Cochrane". CochraneNow. Retrieved 2022-07-02.
  16. "Joe Pickett back in the Foothills for season two". HighRiverOnline. Retrieved 2022-07-02.
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  19. "'Joe Pickett' Paramount Plus Review: Stream It Or Skip It?" . Retrieved 2022-07-03.
  20. Roush, Matt (6 December 2021). "Roush Review: Don't Underestimate Spectrum's 'Joe Pickett'". TV Insider. Retrieved 2022-07-03.