Territory is the title of the show previously named Desert King. It is a six-episode neo-Western Australian drama television series starring Anna Torv, Michael Dorman, Robert Taylor, and Sam Corlett. It was released on Netflix on October 24, 2024.
This week, the new western-themed show has dominated the charts of current trending series on Netflix, but some Yellowstone fans are sensing something very familiar while placing the two shows parallel to each other.
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Territory, the new Netflix show has received rave reviews from critics. Fans, it seems, have been unable to ignore that the six-part drama is, almost explicitly, an Australian version of Yellowstone, showing a modern version of Australia.
The official synopsis of the new show on Netflix reads,
"When the world's largest cattle station is left without a clear heir, rival factions descend as a fierce generational struggle upends the land's future."
Exploring similarities between the Western dramas Yellowstone and Territory
Yellowstone and Territory draw viewers in with excellent storytelling, complex family drama, and wild landscapes while taking the viewer into a world of land, loyalty, and conflict.
1) Both shows have protagonists who are trying to protect their legacy
In Yellowstone, John Dutton is a determined rancher who will stop at nothing to protect his vast Montana ranch, the Dutton Yellowstone Ranch, which has been in his family for generations.
Similarly, Territory gives us a protagonist who will do whatever it takes to protect his land and heritage. Both characters feel a strong responsibility to preserve what their families have built, battling developers, business rivals, and political forces. The main characters are strong and resilient, usually attacking those who threaten their territory.
2) Both shows have land ownership as their central theme
Land ownership is a major theme in both programs, representing power and weakness. Yellowstone shows the Dutton family's constant struggle to protect their ranch from outsiders such as developers and other rival tribes.
Territory explores the conflicts that come with owning land and the attractions and challenges it brings, especially when it's a historic place. The land is not just a backdrop, but rather a main character that drives the story.
3) Both shows depict conflicted family dynamics
Family loyalty and betrayal are important factors in both shows. The different values and loyalties lead to complicated relationships between the members of the Dutton family in Yellowstone. His children often disagree with his decisions or even try to take control.
In Territory, the same situation occurs - members are usually torn between their loyalty to the land and the pursuit of their individual goals. This inner conflict makes the drama more intense and shows that some of the biggest battles are fought in our own homes.
4) Both shows depict confrontations with indigenous communities
Both series explore how indigenous communities are locked in a protracted struggle with settlers over land ownership. In Yellowstone, for example, the Duttons are often involved in battles with Native American tribes with valid claims to the same piece of land.
The territory also delves into the nuances of the settler-indigenous conflict, outlining what has happened historically and culturally because of the conflicts. The programs present these conflicts as a deepening of their histories while attempting to address real social issues.
5) The score and dialogues of Territory sound similar to that of Yellowstone
The score has sweeping strings that sound like those of Yellowstone, and the jargon-laden, profane, declarative dialogue sounds like that of Yellowstone as well.
6) Similarity in cinematic landscapes and silent storytellers
The landscapes of Yellowstone and Territory are not just background - they are part of the story. Yellowstone shows the beauty of Montana, while the Netflix series shows the wildness of its environment. These settings add visual appeal and help convey the characters' sense of isolation, determination, and endurance.
In Yellowstone, it is the struggle for land, power, and family that creates a drama for the audience to cling to - a mix of these realistic elements and compelling stories. Both are part of the same story, a story in which themes of legacy, loyalty, or conflict still resonate today: the struggle for control, and whatever that means, never goes out of fashion.
The show Yellowstone is available to stream on Netflix.
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