Into the West (miniseries)

Into the West is the 2005 American Western television miniseries produced by Steven Spielberg and DreamWorks, with six two-hour episodes (including commercials). The series was first broadcast in the U.S. on TNT beginning June 10, 2005. It was also shown in the UK on BBC2 and BBC HD from November 4, 2006, and in Canada on CBC Television. The series also aired in the U.S. on AMC during June/July and September/October of 2012.

The plot follows the story of two families, one white American and one Native American, as their lives become mingled through the momentous events of American expansion. The miniseries begins in the 1820s and is told mainly through the third person narration of Jacob Wheeler (Matthew Settle) and Loved By the Buffalo (Joseph M. Marshall III), although episodes outside the direct observation of both protagonists are also shown. The story intertwines real and fictional characters and events spanning the period of expansion of the United States in the American frontier from 1825 to 1890. It was filmed in Drumheller, Alberta and Santa Fe, New Mexico.

The show has a large ensemble cast, with about 250 speaking parts. The series features well-known performers including Josh Brolin, Gary Busey, Michael Spears, Tonantzin Carmelo, Skeet Ulrich, Garrett Wang, Steve Reevis, Rachael Leigh Cook, Wes Studi, Irene Bedard, Alan Tudyk, Christian Kane, Russell Means, Jay Tavare, Keri Russell, Graham Greene, Sean Astin, Beau Bridges, Judge Reinhold, Zahn McClarnon, Tom Berenger, Gil Birmingham, David Paymer, Raoul Trujillo, Eric Schweig, Lance Henriksen, Simon R. Baker, Tyler Christopher, Tatanka Means, Gordon Tootoosis, Sheila Tousey, Annabella Piugattuk, Glen Powell and Will Patton.

Into the West was a critical and commercial success. It was nominated for 16 Primetime Emmy Awards, including for Outstanding Limited Series, and won two. It was also nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Mini-Series Or Motion Picture Made for Television.