The show wrapped in 2006, but it appears a Deadwood film is indeed going to happen even though it has been more than a decade since it aired. Released over three years, Deadwood’s original TV run was 36 episodes, taking place in Deadwood, South Dakota.
The show utilised historical people as characters, and while it is largely fictional it uses historical reference points and events as the basis for various story lines across the episodes.
Rumors of a film surfaced almost immediately after the show wrapped, these reports included the idea that the show would be wound up across two films following on from the final season, however none of these rumors eventuated into anything.
So twelve years later, an official announcement from HBO revealed that the long awaited Deadwood movie is going ahead, with the original cast returning to continue their roles. These names include Ian McShane, Timothy Olyphant, Molly Parker, Paula Malcomson, to name just a few. In fact HBO went so far as to say the new film has already begun production, so while no release date has been announced, this project is definitely happening.
From the announcement “the indelible characters of the series are reunited after ten years to celebrate South Dakota’s statehood. Former rivalries are reignited, alliances are tested and old wounds are reopened, as all are left to navigate the inevitable changes that modernity and time have wrought.”
The Deadwood TV series received critical acclaim during its run, though after its ratings peaked in season 2, they did soften in season 3. No doubt there will be further announcements as the film moves through production, but so far with a returning cast it sounds like this film will be keeping close to its roots.
