Hell on Wheels: Season 1

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 28 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 193 Ratings

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8.0	User Score Generally favorable reviews based on 193 Ratings

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Hell On Wheels: Season 1

Now Playing: Hell On Wheels: Season 1

Season Details & Credits

AMC | Season Premiere Date: November 6, 2011

Starring: Colm Meaney, Colm Meaney, Jennifer Ferrin

Summary: Seeking the killer of his wife, ex-Confederate soldier Cullen Bohannon (Anson Mount) goes west and soon finds himself at Hell on Wheels, the temporary town that followed the construction of the transcontinental railroad as it moved westward.

Creator: Tony Gayton and Joe Gayton

Genre(s): Drama, Action & Adventure

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Season 1 Episodes

tbd
S1:E10. God of Chaos
Air Date: January 15, 2012
tbd
S1:E9. Timshel
Air Date: January 8, 2012
tbd
S1:E8. Derailed
Air Date: January 1, 2012

See all Seasons and Episodes

Metascore

Positive:

Mixed:

Negative:

Critic Reviews

Hank Stuever

Sep 21, 2011

Though imbued with epic sweep, Hell on Wheels is a western at heart, even if that heart is cold. Read full review

Verne Gay

Nov 3, 2011

Solid cast, intriguing premise, and--best of all--the Old West. Should easily be another winner for AMC. Read full review

Uncle Barky Ed Bark

Nov 3, 2011

Hell on Wheels is a big and ambitious stab at the genre, with a lot going on and much to recommend. Read full review

Troy Patterson

Nov 3, 2011

Not content to exploit their subject's inherent themes, the series' fraternal creators, Joe and Tony Gayton, have adhered them promiscuously, pasting neon Post-it indications of symbolic import in a way that obscures moments of straightforward drama. Read full review

James Poniewozik

Nov 4, 2011

I found parts of this series I could get invested in. You might find even more. Just don't go in expecting more than heck on wheels. Read full review

Ellen Gray

Nov 4, 2011

Like Durant's ideal route, the five episodes I've seen of Hell on Wheels tend to meander a bit. Read full review

Maureen Ryan

Nov 4, 2011

It's good at being tedious. Read full review

SEE ALL 28 REVIEWS

User Score

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8.0

User Reviews

AussieCritic

Sep 17, 2012

Hell on Wheels has high production values, good acting and good scripts. I like the way it's filmed on location and has a feel of authenticity about the production not found into many television series

0 of 1 users found this helpful01

Kars10ak

Nov 28, 2012

Hell on wheels is bar none the best show around today. The main character is badass with a gentle soul and is what every man aught to be. The show also accurately depicts what it would be like to live in a post civil war world as well as paints a picture of what it was like to be on theHell on wheels is bar none the best show around today. The main character is badass with a gentle soul and is what every man aught to be. The show also accurately depicts what it would be like to live in a post civil war world as well as paints a picture of what it was like to be on the losing side. A southern man, made out to be evil by the union but in actuality, with his priorities in order, is the most upright man around, union or confederacy.… Expand

1 of 3 users found this helpful12

lord_cuervo

Nov 8, 2011

The best premiere of the year. AMC se ha vuelto a lucir esta vez, respira un aire a Deadwood, espero que la iguale. la auguro un buen futuro a la serie, espero que la AMC la trate bien

5 of 8 users found this helpful53

Jenno

Nov 28, 2011

Great show. Nice to have a western. Just dont care for the actor playing the head guy on the train with the Shakesperian like accent. I love all the interesting charactors, and its well written. Visually quite beautiful, too.

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

JaySupertramp

Mar 7, 2012

Building a railway through the whole country connecting the west and east is a difficult undertaking. Especially when you're fighting against Indians and have to manage the corruption. Set in the 1860s this is what the series is about. A man searching for the murderers of his wife, a railwayBuilding a railway through the whole country connecting the west and east is a difficult undertaking. Especially when you're fighting against Indians and have to manage the corruption. Set in the 1860s this is what the series is about. A man searching for the murderers of his wife, a railway built through the country and Indians fighting against it. Brilliant settings and characters, realistic plot and action. Definitely worth to watch it.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

boxcutter24

Nov 30, 2011

Hell On Wheels is a God awful working title at best, so don't let that deter you. It hasn't shown me anything new here that you can't get from seeing Deadwood or Boardwalk Empire. The setting is grand landscape paintings come to life and there are some genuine emotional scenes. However, IHell On Wheels is a God awful working title at best, so don't let that deter you. It hasn't shown me anything new here that you can't get from seeing Deadwood or Boardwalk Empire. The setting is grand landscape paintings come to life and there are some genuine emotional scenes. However, I find the story too often running in place and just looking around at the scenery.… Expand

0 of 2 users found this helpful02

hubby1

Aug 8, 2021

This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Common was a great asset to the show he carried a lot of weight after killing him off not interested but write Psalm as a main character maybe the show will have a nice spin… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

SEE ALL 42 REVIEWS

Seasons & Episodes

64

Series Overview
Season 5

tbd
- Season 5 Overview
  Air Date: July 18, 2014
Season 4

tbd
- Season 4 Overview
  Air Date: August 2, 2014
Season 3

74
- Season 3 Overview
  Air Date: August 10, 2013
Season 2

60
- Season 2 Overview
  Air Date: August 12, 2012
Season 1

63
- Season 1 Overview
  Air Date: November 6, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E10. God of Chaos
  Air Date: January 15, 2012
- tbd
  S1:E9. Timshel
  Air Date: January 8, 2012
- tbd
  S1:E8. Derailed
  Air Date: January 1, 2012
- tbd
  S1:E7. Revelations
  Air Date: December 18, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E6. Pride, Pomp and Circumstance
  Air Date: December 11, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E5. Bread and Circuses
  Air Date: December 4, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E4. Jamais Je Ne T'oublierai
  Air Date: November 27, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E3. A New Birth of Freedom
  Air Date: November 20, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E2. Immoral Mathematics
  Air Date: November 13, 2011
- tbd
  S1:E1. Pilot
  Air Date: November 6, 2011