Apple TV’s ‘Pluribus’ Is Topping Streaming Charts, but This Neo-Western Is the Real Must-Watch Before Its Finale

Since its premiere on November 7, 2025, Apple TV’s newest series Pluribus has made history. According to Deadline, the Vince Gilligan-created show had the biggest global drama series launch ever across more than 100 territories. As the #1 series in the US this week, Pluribus, starring Better Call Saul‘s Rhea Seehorn, continues to establish itself as a series Apple TV viewers shouldn’t miss – but it’s not the only one. Almost a month before Pluribus‘ premiere, the streaming service released The Last Frontier, a wintry neo-Western that’s filled with twists and turns in the Alaskan wilderness. The series is sitting at #2 in the US this week, but viewers should be tuning in and catching up before the finale on December 5.

What Is ‘The Last Frontier’ About?

Set in the remote Alaskan wilderness, The Last Frontier starts off when a plane carrying inmates across the country crashes into the forest and sets dozens of prisoners free. Tasked with an almost impossible challenge, lone U.S. marshal Frank Remnick (Jason Clarke) begins a mission to find the prisoners and protect his small town from danger. As Frank carries out his investigation, CIA operative Sidney Scoffield (Haley Bennett) mysteriously joins the operation with the specific goal of finding one high-interest inmate, named Havlock (Dominic Cooper).

As it turns out, Sidney has been hiding secrets of her own. Before the crash, Havlock was trained by her to appear rogue before he genuinely betrayed the government and went off the grid. Now, Sidney’s desperate to find him and exact her revenge. Through a tense relationship with Frank, the two work together to prevent Havlock’s plans from coming true, as well as trying to protect his town from all the other extraordinarily dangerous criminals. The cast of The Last Frontier also includes Simone Kessell, Dallas Goldtooth, Tait Blum, and Academy Award nominee Alfre Woodard.

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‘The Last Frontier’ Is Another Electrifying Apple TV Watch

Jason Clarke and Haley Bennett riding horses side by side in the winter in The Last Frontier.Image via Apple TV+

While many of Pluribus‘ viewers might’ve tuned in from the head-scratching title and premise alone – aka “The most miserable person on Earth must save the world from happiness” – The Last Frontier has aspects that have been seen before on TV, but it still manages to be fresh and engaging. After all, while manhunts and police investigations are everywhere on TV, The Last Frontier elevates the storyline through its chilling setting, compelling performance and unexpected plotting that constantly evolves as the story unfolds.

As Frank’s investigation unfolds, Havlock and Sidney’s secrets are revealed slowly but surely, showing that the investigation is far more layered than the viewer, and Frank himself, would ever expect. The same goes for Frank’s investigation itself, which manages to unfold in an interesting way, even if it falls into some clichés at times. When Havlock kidnaps Frank’s wife Sarah (Kessell), for example, the story could’ve felt predictable or unsurprising, but the fact that the moment wasn’t milked or overdramatized still allowed the show to put a fresh, unique spin on it.

Plus, the performances in The Last Frontier are as compelling and mesmerizing as the ones on Pluribus. According to Collider’s very own Jeff Ewing, the series promises an enticing storyline and delivers, especially when it comes to the performances. As Frank, Clarke delivers a solid and layered performance of an obsessive workaholic who loves his family, and is conflicted whenever those two collide. And, on the other side of the spectrum, Cooper shines as the show’s antagonist Havlock as an “entertainingly believable master manipulator.”

With that said, while Pluribus might be receiving all the attention right now after becoming one of Apple TV’s biggest streaming hits ever, The Last Frontier shouldn’t be overlooked. With a fresh, unique take on Westerns, the series sets itself apart with a unique setting, an unpredictable storyline and performances that carry the show. It’s a must-watch series, and there’s only a limited time to watch and catch up before the finale premieres on December 5.

Release Date

October 10, 2025

Network

Apple TV+