It is a sweeping Western series starring Emily Blunt which has been compared to Yellowstone and American Primeval, with fans on Reddit hailing it as an 'under-the-radar' hidden gem now free to stream on BBC iPlayer07:32, 30 May 2026Hugo Blick's expansive western whisks audiences through the dying days of the Old West across six captivating episodes, with Emily Blunt delivering a commanding performance that has led viewers to celebrate this as an underappreciated gem alongside American Primeval and Yellowstone.‌The programme follows Eli Whipp (Chaske Spencer), a resolute Pawnee ex-U.S. Army scout travelling to Nebraska to secure territory pledged in return for his military duty, facing treachery, displacement and the hollow assurances of a collapsing empire, alongside Lady Cornelia Locke (Emily Blunt), an Englishwoman who has landed on American soil pursuing vengeance against her son's murderer.‌The English, which broadcast on BBC Two and Amazon Prime in late 2022, comprises six episodes that have received acclaim from established western aficionados and genre newcomers alike, as the format experiences a substantial resurgence with the arrival of Yellowstone, American Primeval, and 1923.‌"Fans of American Primeval should watch The English. Both are great Westerns featuring a strong female lead," Emily Long pens for Screen Rant, noting "though each of the shows have their own stories and unique characters, The English and American Primeval are surprisingly similar."Both shows centre on a woman trying to make her way across the American West with a travelling partner, encountering numerous challenges along the way."‌Despite these parallels, admirers of The English have queried why it hasn't garnered the same degree of recognition as other recent productions, despite being "Western in all the right ways", reports Wales Online."Instantly, The English has made my top 10. I have seen a lot of movies and series over the many many years I've walked this earth. And seldom have I been struck so profoundly," one IMDB reviewer said in an enthusiastic 10-star review."Every scene, every word, each gesture, to a person reaches out, aiming for the heart. Relentlessly uncovering a story that weaves beauty and horror in equal measure.‌"It never waits for you to catch up. But rather pulls you along as you follow- never really knowing what will happen and carefully doling out what has happened."The extensively lauded series secured substantial honours for its principal performers, with Chaske Spencer and Emily Blunt obtaining nominations at the British Academy Television Awards for Best Actor and the Screen Actors Guild Awards for Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Television Movie or Limited Series respectively.Stephen Rea also secured an Irish Film and Television Award for his captivating depiction of Sheriff Robert Marshall.‌The Western has completely mesmerised the 67,000-strong Reddit community r/Western, with user apswim22 saying: "This was an amazing under-the-radar series. One of the better Western series in a while."Many fans have applauded the show's storytelling, with BeautifulDebate7615 posting on the Western subreddit: "We did not see the twist coming but kept wondering why things weren't developing the way we expected. Then the twist perfectly explained things."Beyond the outstanding performances, the production showcases Arnau Valls Colomer's magnificent cinematography, exquisitely complemented by Federico Jusid's orchestral soundtrack to create the ideal atmosphere.Article continues belowCertain critics have voiced concerns regarding the show's pacing, saying that the initial episode appeared rather slow. However, these worries generally dissipated once the second chapter gained traction.The English is available for streaming on both BBC iPlayer and Amazon Prime.