Watch Strange Empire
- TV-MA
- 2014
- 1 Season
-
6.3 (1,867)
Strange Empire is a Canadian television drama series that aired for one season from 2014 to 2015 on CBC. The show is set in the late 1800s in the frontier town of Janestown, which is on the brink of collapse following a devastating fire that has left many dead and the town's economy in shambles. The story revolves around a group of women who are struggling to survive in this harsh and dangerous environment, where violence and lawlessness reign.
The series is anchored by a strong and diverse cast of female characters, including Kat Loving (Cara Gee), a Cree-Indian woman who is searching for her son after he is taken from her by the authorities; Rebecca Blithely (Michelle Creber), a naive teenager who is forced into a marriage of convenience with the ruthless businessman John Slotter (Aaron Poole); and Isabelle Slotter (Ali Liebert), the cunning and manipulative wife of John, who is determined to maintain her position of power in the town at any cost.
Other notable characters include Fiona Briggs (Tattiawna Jones), a former prostitute who has found a new purpose as a nurse in the town's makeshift hospital; Belinda McClaren (Marci T. House), a tough-as-nails saloon owner who has a complicated history with Isabelle; and Marshal Caleb Mecredi (Michael Adamthwaite), the conflicted lawman who must navigate the treacherous politics of the town in order to maintain order.
The show's themes of power, gender, and race are explored in a nuanced and complex way, with each episode delving deeper into the characters' backstories and motivations. The women of Janestown are often pitted against each other as they struggle for survival and control over their own lives, but they also find moments of solidarity and strength in the face of adversity.
The cinematography and production design are also standout features of the show, with the dusty and desolate landscape of the American frontier serving as a powerful backdrop to the drama unfolding in Janestown. The costumes and sets are meticulously crafted to evoke the time period and the harsh realities of life on the frontier, which lends a gritty and authentic feel to the show.
Overall, Strange Empire is a compelling and thought-provoking drama that explores some of the darkest corners of the American frontier. The show's stellar cast and production values, combined with its complex and nuanced storytelling, make it a must-watch for fans of historical dramas and Westerns alike.
Strange Empire is a series that ran for 1 seasons (13 episodes) between October 6, 2014 and on CBC