There are even multiple timelines to the Lonesome Dove-verse if you want to explore the different fates of the key characters. The core of it all goes to the original book, and before that, the original concept for an epic Western flick to end all Westerns. The truth about what makes Lonesome Dove so eternally appealing seems closely tied to the majestic nature of our national Western mythology.

The ‘Lonesome Dove’ Movie
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Lonesome Dove

Release Date
1989 – 1988
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Augustus McCrae

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Woodrow F. Call

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Joshua Deets

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Lorena Wood

After director Peter Bogdanovich adapted Larry McMurtry’s book The Last Picture Show, which thrust him into the inner circle of the cinema elite, he had a blank check from Hollywood. His sights were set on one thing and one thing only: an epic end-of-the-West Western that would combine all the great talents of the genre’s history. He wanted John Wayne, Jimmy Stewart, Henry Fonda, and more. He would emulate the great work of his idol and mentor, John Ford.

McMurtry was tasked with writing it, and it would be the basis for Lonesome Dove. Wayne eventually passed, which led to Stewart dropping out, which led to Bogdanovich settling for a different follow-up act, which led to McMurtry turning his script (titled “Streets of Laredo” at that time) into the Lonesome Dove book we all know today. He expanded the original concept, becoming one of the greatest pieces of Western writing ever.

‘Lonesome Dove’ Characters
The lead characters in Lonesome Dove are Texas Ranger Captains Woodrow F. Call and Gus McCrae. They are loosely based on historical figures Charles Goodnight and his partner Oliver Loving. The two men drove cattle and established what would be known as the Goodnight-Loving Trail. McMurtry deviates from the historical course of these men, intending instead to de-mythologize aspects of the Old West with an honest look at the brutality and challenges, as well as the stark lack of real heroism in the barren and beautiful landscape.

Of course, he would bemoan having had the opposite impact, referring to the novel as becoming something of a “Gone With the Wind” of the American West. McCrae is characterized by his chatty charisma, a ladies’ man, and a leader of men ready to jump into action. Call is the contrast: taciturn and grouchy, business first, monosyllabic, and prone to fits of rage and violence when wronged or pushed too far. The men are a sort of odd couple at the core of the story.

Clara Allen is the woman McCrae loved but never connected with, Joshua Deets is the rangers’ loyal and excellent scout, and Jake Spoon is their old comrade in arms who beguiles them with promises of riches if they take up the one last big cattle drive adventure. Newt Dobbs is the illegitimate son Call won’t fully recognize as his own, but cares for regardless at arm’s length. Lorena Wood is the town prostitute every man lusts for, who gets kidnapped, forcing a daring rescue mission in the middle of the story. There are countless other critical characters who make their way in and out of the journey, but for the original story, these are the key characters.

The ‘Lonesome Dove’ Cast
The series couldn’t possibly hit on all the themes and plot points of the novel, and while it would become the more popular and commonly referenced version of the story, it doesn’t reach the heights and epic prose of the original text. Few things do. That said, it spawned future novels and series. McMurtry would now explore the stories of these characters from before the Lonesome Dove novel, but also after, and so would television.

‘Lonesome Dove’ Book Series
The book series expanded initially when McMurtry decided to follow it up with a sequel titled Streets of Laredo, covering a much older Call who has become a feared bounty hunter on the trail of a number of horrifically violent and sadistic killers. He crosses paths with some of his old acquaintances from the original novel, as well as a number of new characters. The story takes McMurtry’s original designs on demystifying the Western even further with darker notes and an even more somber ending.

He would then turn back the clock and write two ‘prequels’ to the original Lonesome Dove. The first was titled Dead Man’s Walk, a story about Call and McCrae’s first ranger expeditions, and then Comanche Moon, a story focused on a slightly older Call and McCrae now in the prime rangering days.

All these novels would eventually get their own miniseries, with ever-shifting Lonesome Dove casting. Karl Urban and Johnny Lee Miller would each play Call, with James Garner taking a turn as the older Call in Streets of Laredo. McCrae would be played by David Arquette and Steven Zahn in the two prequel series.

Return to Lonesome Dove was a spinoff sequel series from CBS that did not involve McMurtry and took the characters in different directions. In this version, Jon Voight plays Call, but Schroder returns as Newt. There would be a follow-up series to this called Lonesome Dove: The Series, or Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years, that follows Newt Call (formerly Dobbs), now played by Scott Bairstow, on his further adventures in the West.

‘Lonesome Dove’ Series in Order
If you list the stories chronologically, they go as follows: Dead Man’s Walk, Comanche Moon, Lonesome Dove, Streets of Laredo. Return to Lonesome Dove and Lonesome Dove: The Outlaw Years follow Lonesome Dove, and replace the Streets of Laredo timeline (the stories go quite differently).

What truly makes Lonesome Dove great goes beyond simply exploring the expanse of Western mythology. It is rooted in McMurtry’s genius for characterization. His writing moves effortlessly between characters’ points of view and gives each of them great depth that leaves lasting impressions. This makes it easier for the many actors who have passed through the iconic roles to grasp what makes their character tick. It also helps all of us to relate to and connect with each character in any incarnation. McMurtry was a true master of his craft, and Lonesome Dove was his greatest work. You can stream Lonesome Dove for free on Tubi.