Longmire (TV series)
Longmire | |
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Genre | Crime drama |
Based on | "Walt Longmire Mysteries" book series by Craig Johnson |
Developed by |
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Starring | |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language(s) | English |
No. of seasons | 2 |
No. of episodes | 23 (List of episodes) |
Production | |
Executive producer(s) |
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Location(s) | New Mexico |
Running time | 45 minutes |
Production company(s) |
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Broadcast | |
Original channel | A&E |
Original run | June 3, 2012 – present |
External links | |
Website |
Longmire is a crime drama television series that premiered on June 3, 2012, on A&E.[1] The series was developed by John Coveny and Hunt Baldwin and is based on the "Walt Longmire" series of mystery novels written by best-selling author Craig Johnson.[2]
The show centers around Walt Longmire, a Wyoming county sheriff who returns to work after his wife's death. Assisted by his friends and his daughter, Longmire investigates major crimes within his jurisdiction, while campaigning for re-election.
The show's second season ended on August 26, 2013. After the finale, executive producer John Coveny announced via his Twitter account that "SEASON 3 for #Longmire is a GO!".[3] On November 25, 2013, A&E officially renewed Longmire for a third season to air in 2014.[4]
Synopsis
The series follows Sheriff Walt Longmire, of Wyoming's fictional Absaroka County (pronounced ab-suh-ro-ka,) who returns to work following his wife's death. With the help of a variety of close characters, including his daughter, Cady Longmire, the newly hired Deputy, Victoria "Vic" Moretti, and trusted friend, Henry Standing Bear, Walt must investigate a series of major crimes in his jurisdiction while preparing to run for re-election against Branch Connally, a young deputy in the department who wants Walt's job.
Cast and characters
Main cast
- Robert Taylor as Walt Longmire, the long-term sheriff of Absaroka County. Laconic and introspective with a strong sense of duty and justice, his character is a throwback to the iconic lone hero of classical Westerns. As the stories build, we see that Walt has a knack for finding the truth behind the various crimes that have been committed. Walt's wife died a year before the series started. Almost everyone believes that her death was due to cancer; but a few people know the truth: she was the victim of a murder in Denver. Walt's grief for her loss fuels his isolation and self judgment.
- Katee Sackhoff as Victoria "Vic" Moretti, a sheriff's deputy who formerly worked as a homicide detective in the Philadelphia Police Department. She recently moved to Wyoming following her husband, who works as a natural gas company executive. She has four brothers.[5]
- Lou Diamond Phillips as Henry Standing Bear, a Cheyenne who is Walt's best friend and confidant. We learn their friendship goes back to their early school days together. He is the proprietor of the Red Pony Cafe, a local tavern and restaurant, as well as an expert tracker.
- Cassidy Freeman as Cady Longmire, Walt's daughter and an attorney who works for a local law firm.
- Bailey Chase as Branch Connally, an ambitious deputy who comes from a wealthy local family, and who has aspirations to be sheriff himself one day.
- Adam Bartley as "The Ferg" Ferguson, an awkward but hard-working deputy hired by Walt as a favor to Ferg's father.
Recurring cast
- Louanne Stephens as Ruby, the dispatcher and manager of the sheriff's office.
- Zahn McClarnon as Chief Mathias, chief of the Cheyenne reservation's tribal police.
- Louis Herthum as Omar, a local resident with expertise in firearms whom Walt occasionally uses as a resource.
- Katherine LaNasa as Lizzie Ambrose, a wealthy local woman with whom Walt has a tentative romantic relationship.
- A Martinez as Jacob Nighthorse, a local businessman representing the interests of the Cheyenne.
- Charles S. Dutton as Detective Fales, a detective from Denver investigating a suspicious death connected to the death of Walt's wife.
- Gerald McRaney as Barlow Connally, a wealthy, powerful local real estate developer and deputy Branch Connally's father.
- Michael Mosley as Sean Moretti, Vic's husband.
- John Bishop as Bob Barnes, an often drunk local who runs the flower shop.
- Lee Tergesen as Ed Gorski, an ex-cop from Philadelphia who used to work with Vic.
- Peter Weller as Lucian Connally, Branch's uncle and Walt's predecessor.
Production
Longmire received a pilot order on December 14, 2010. The pilot was written by John Coveny and Hunt Baldwin and directed by Christopher Chulack. Coveny, Baldwin and Chulack serve as executive producers alongside Greer Shephard, Michael M. Robin and the production companies Warner Horizon Television and The Shephard/Robin Company. The series is an adaptation of the Longmire mystery novels written by best-selling author Craig Johnson.[6] While the story is supposed to take place in northern Wyoming, the series is being filmed in Las Vegas, Santa Fe, Eagle Nest and Red River, New Mexico.[7]
Casting announcements began in February 2011, with Robert Taylor first cast in the lead role of Walt Longmire, the sheriff of Absaroka County, Wyoming. Recently widowed, Longmire buries his pain behind his brave face and dry wit.[8] Katee Sackhoff, Bailey Chase, Cassidy Freeman and Lou Diamond Phillips followed, with Sackhoff cast in the role of Victoria "Vic" Moretti, one of Walt's deputies and a former detective from Philadelphia; Chase cast as Branch Connally, Walt's other deputy who wants to run against him in the next election; Freeman cast as Cady Longmire, Walt's daughter who works as a lawyer, and Phillips cast as Henry Standing Bear, Walt's best friend.[9]
On August 26, 2011, A&E Network picked up Longmire for a 10 episode first season.[10] Following early success as the highest rated summer scripted drama debut, and as A&E's highest rated scripted drama, A&E renewed Longmire for a second season on June 29, 2012.[11]
In 2013, massive wildfires scorched the Valles Caldera National Preserve, which impacted the series production. In three weeks' time, three fires had begun, some at the same time. The Prescott Fire Department's Granite Mountain Hotshots assisted in preventing the fiery destruction of the area around where Walt's house is filmed.[12] Nineteen of the Hotshots's 20 members later died battling an Arizona wildfire.[13] The second season's finale honored the firefighters in the closing credits.[12]
Broadcast and release
Episodes
As of August 26, 2013, 23 episodes of Longmire have aired, ending the second season. On August 29, 2013, John Coveny announced on Twitter that the show would have a third season.[14] The renewal was confirmed by A&E on November 25th, 2013.
U.S. television ratings
Longmire debuted as A&E's #1 original-series premiere of all time with 4.1 million total viewers.[15]
Season | Timeslot (ET) | # Ep. | Premiered | Ended | ||
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Date | Premiere Viewers (in millions) |
Date | Finale Viewers (in millions) | |||
1 | |
10 | 4.15[16] | 4.34[17] | ||
2 | |
13 | 4.31[18] | 4.42[19] |
International broadcasts
Longmire began airing in Great Britain on TCM on March 17, 2013, at 9:00pm,[20] in Australia on GEM on May 15, 2013, at 9:30pm. Season Two began airing in Australia on July 31, 2013,[21] and in Italy on Rete 4 on July 4, 2013, at 9:00pm.[22] In Ireland the series is shown on RTÉ Two. In Germany on RTL Nitro on January 10, 2014, at 10:05pm.
Home media release
The first season of Longmire was released on May 28, 2013. It featured a documentary about filming in New Mexico, when the setting is in Wyoming, a gallery of photographic stills, and some unaired scenes.[23] The second season will be released on May 13, 2014. The three-disc set will include an extended directors' cut version of the seventh episode, "Sound and Fury", as well as the season finale, "Bad Medicine". There will also be a bonus featurette, "Testing Courage: The Storm Defines the Man".[24]
Reception
Critical reception
Reception has generally been positive: Nancy DeWolf Smith of The Wall Street Journal called the series "the best of two worlds: a modern crime drama with dry wit and sometimes heart-wrenching emotion that's also got a glorious setting under the big sky of Wyoming." She added: "If it weren't for a few modern conveniences, like cellphones and trucks, it might as well be 1875, so rugged and unspoiled does the scenery look."[25] Newsday's Verne Gay stated: "Longmire arrives as silently as a dust devil kicked up by a high wind on the Wyoming plains. With little in the way of fanfare and a lead actor unacquainted with household name status, it must instead rely on a quiet fortitude, much like its namesake." He added: "Unassuming Longmire doesn't shout 'LOVE ME!' but instead works its charms subtly, quietly. There's promise here."[26] Alan Sepinwall of HitFix stated "there's a sense of place to the show that makes it feel unlike every other cop show on television" and that he would "like to see the mysteries grow more engaging as the series moves along, but Longmire at least starts with a good foundation in Walt, his sidekicks, and the wide, open spaces they travel."[27] On the other hand, the San Francisco Chronicle's David Wiegand wrote that the series "has the look and feel of a show cooked up by a bunch of bored TV industry types while they were waiting for the valet to bring their car to them at the Beverly Hills Chuck E. Cheese." He added: "There's very little drama, and the pilot episode lumbers along like an overfed elk."[28] In the aggregate, however, Longmire has received favorable reviews, e.g., receiving a score of 67 out of 100 in 17 media reviews on Metacritic.[29]
Awards and nominations
In 2013, the pilot episode of Longmire, teleplay by Hunt Baldwin and John Coveny, was nominated for an Edgar Award by the Mystery Writers of America.[30]
References
- ↑ Munn, Patrick (2012-03-17). "A&E's New Drama Series Longmire To Premiere June 3rd". Tvwise.co.uk. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
- ↑ Carol Memmott (June 7, 2011). "Longmire mystery series basis for TV pilot". USA Today Books. Retrieved 10 August 2012.
- ↑ Ng, Philiana (Aug 29, 2013). "A&E Renewing 'Longmire'". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved Sep 21, 2013.
- ↑ Seat42f. "Longmire Renewed For Third Season". Retrieved 25 November 2013.
- ↑ "Death Came In Like Thunder". Longmire. Season 2. Episode 3. June 10, 2013. A&E.
- ↑ "Breaking News – Development Update: Tuesday, December 14". TheFutonCritic.com. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
- ↑ Christine (2012-01-16). "A & E will film the new series ‘Longmire’, starring Katee Sackhoff & Lou Diamond Phillips, in New Mexico this spring". Onlocationvacations.com. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
- ↑ Andreeva, Nellie. "'Matrix' Actor Robert Taylor Gets The Lead In A&E's Pilot 'Longmire'". Deadline.com. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
- ↑ Michael Ausiello (2011-03-25). "Pilot Scoop: Katee Sackhoff Joins A&E's Longmire". TVLine. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
- ↑ "Breaking News – Development Update: Friday, August 26". TheFutonCritic.com. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
- ↑ Goldberg, Lesley (June 29, 2012). "A&E Renews Western 'Longmire' for Second Season". The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved July 2, 2012.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 Longmire Episode Guide: Bad Medicine
- ↑ Loss of 19 firefighters in Arizona blaze 'unbearable,' governor says
- ↑ Andreeva, Nellie (August 29, 2013). "‘Longmire’ Renewed For Season 3, Series Producer Says; ‘The Glades’ Pickup Unlikely". Deadline.com. Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved September 2, 2013.
- ↑ "A&E’s "Longmire" Debuts as the Network’s #1 Original Series Premiere of All Time with 4.1 Million Viewers + ‘The Glades" – Ratings". TVbytheNumbers. zap2it.com. 2012-06-04. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
- ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (June 5, 2012). "Sunday Cable Ratings: NBA Playoffs + 'Game of Thrones' Finale, MTV Movie Awards, 'Sister Wives', 'The Glades', 'Longmire' + More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved June 5, 2012.
- ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (August 14, 2012). "Sunday Cable Ratings: 'True Blood' Beats 'Comedy Central Roast of Roseanne' + 'Falling Skies', NASCAR, 'Army Wives' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 14, 2012.
- ↑ Bibel, Sara (May 29, 2013). "Monday Cable Ratings:NBA Playoffs Win Night, 'WWE Raw', 'Love & Hip Hop', 'Longmire', 'Hit the Floor', 'The Glades' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved May 30, 2013.
- ↑ Kondolojy, Amanda (August 27, 2013). "Monday Cable Ratings: 'WWE Raw' Wins Night + 'Teen Mom', 'Real Housewives of Orange County', 'Basketball Wives', 'TI & Tiny' & More". TV by the Numbers. Retrieved August 28, 2013.
- ↑ Munn, Patrick (February 8, 2013). "TCM Acquires UK Rights To A&E’s ‘Longmire’". TVWise. Retrieved February 8, 2013.
- ↑ Airdate: Longmire
- ↑ "Rete4, al via "Longmire" in prima tv assoluta" (in Italian). July 4, 2013. Retrieved July 4, 2013.
- ↑ Lambert, David (February 21, 2013). "Longmire – Warner's Formal Press Release for 'The Complete 1st Season'". TV Shows on DVD. Retrieved March 2, 2013.
- ↑ Lambert, David (January 30, 2014). "Longmire - 'The Complete 2nd Season' DVD Announced: Date, Cost, Extras, Box". TV Shows on DVD. Retrieved February 4, 2014.
- ↑ DeWolf Smith, Nancy (May 31, 2012). "Crime Solving, Wyoming-Style". The Wall Street Journal. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
- ↑ Gay, Verne (May 30, 2012). "'Longmire' premieres on A&E". Newsday. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
- ↑ Sepinwall, Alan (May 31, 2012). "Review: Mystery goes to Wyoming in A&E's 'Longmire'". HitFix. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
- ↑ Wiegand, David (May 29, 2012). "'Longmire' review: Western mystery lumbers along". San Francisco Chronicle. Retrieved July 4, 2012.
- ↑ "Longmire – Season 1 Reviews, Ratings, Credits, and More". Metacritic. June 3, 2012. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
- ↑ MYSTERY WRITERS OF AMERICA Announce 2013 Edgar Award Nominations (January 16, 2013), broadwayworld.com. Retrieved July 9, 2013.
External links
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