Stephen King loves Netflix series that's ‘just as good’ as Queen’s Gambit and binged for 145m hours
It features an impressive cast, too
Stephen King counts himself among the fans of an acclaimed Netflix series binged for 145 million hours.
The celebrated author reckons the TV show, from The Queen's Gambit creator Scott Frank, is 'just as good' as the hit mini-series.
The seven-part Netflix show dropped in 2020 and follows Anya Taylor-Joy as an orphaned chess prodigy navigating addiction and emotions as she rises through the ranks of the chess world.
Within its first 28 days, the series was watched by 62 million households, making it the most-watched scripted limited series in Netflix history at the time.
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And at the 2021 Emmys, The Queen’s Gambit swept up, winning 11 Emmys, including the prestigious Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series.
Horror writer King reckons another of Frank's shows is up there with The Queen's Gambit.
This show was released three years prior, in 2017, and also runs for just seven episodes.
It transports us to the American West in 1884, centering on Roy Goode (Skins' Jack O'Connell), a remorseful outlaw who has betrayed his mentor, the notorious Frank Griffin (Jeff Daniels), and is now on the run.
Roy seeks refuge in La Belle, New Mexico, a remote mining town left overwhelmingly populated by women, following a tragic mining accident that killed most of the town's men.
As Griffin's gang draws closer, the women of La Belle are now dragged into the conflict and must band together to protect their town.
Michelle Dockery, Scoot McNairy, Merritt Wever, Thomas Brodie-Sangster and Kim Coates also feature in the series - which is called Godless.
Taking to X, formerly Twitter, King said: "Seen THE QUEEN'S GAMBIT? Another Scott Frank, limited series, GODLESS, is just as good (Netflix).
"And as a bonus, who did I spy but Kim Coates, my old SOA [Sons of Anarchy] buddy."
Coates starred as Tig in the FX biker drama between 2008 and 2014 - while King himself also guest starred in season three's Caregiver episode.
He played an eccentric 'cleaner' named Bachman - a nod to his pen name, Richard Bachman.
Back to Godless, and the series racked up a respectable 83 percent over on Rotten Tomatoes. Fans scored it ever so slightly higher, at 85 percent.
"Vistas and violence root Godless firmly in traditional Western territory, but its female-driven ensemble sets it apart in a male-dominated genre," critics said of the show.
Meanwhile one fan dubbed it 'one of the best mini-series of the 2010s,' adding: "O'Connell, Dockery, Daniels and Wever are phenomenal."
"Great cast and story line. Certainly binge worthy," a second said, while a third wrote: "It is a lot more than a western. The characters will stay with you for a long time after the end."
The show, binge-watched for 145 million hours, scooped itself eight Emmys and 27 total award nominations.
Despite airing eight years ago, some fans are still eager to see the show continued.
When Godless debuted, the team confirmed a second season hadn't been planned, with actor Brodie-Sangster speaking to Hollywood Reporter.
Speaking of the limited series, he said: “It’s got a really nice beginning, middle and end.
"It’s very popular nowadays to just make something go on and on and on.
"At some point, it becomes some sort of money-maker thing, and I think as a viewer you can see that and sense that."
Godless is available to stream now on Netflix.
Topics: Anya Taylor-Joy, Film and TV, Netflix, Stephen King, Streaming
Ellie Kemp