TVovereasy

When Deadwood premiered in 2004, it represented the triumphant return of the western to television. Timothy Olyphant turned in a stunning performance as sheriff Seth Bullock for the show’s three seasons. Then, in 2006, Deadwood ended, and fans were once again left without an outlet for their outlaw urges. However, good things come to those who wait, and this March, Olyphant returned in FX’s gritty neo-western Justified.Based off of a character created by Elmore Leonard, the show’s core concept transplants a 19^th-century-style sheriff, Raylan Givens, into the modern-day U.S. Marshals Servicemetaphorically, that is. Olyphant plays Givens with a mix of menace and earnestness. This is a man prepared to do whatever he needs to in order to keep his town safea difficult task given the crime families situated in the town. Even worse, Raylan’s father has his own sense of justice, and isn’t above going outside the law to get it.The first 13-episode season won rave reviews across the board, and holds an 81 rating at Metacritic. Olyphant has a fine supporting cast, including Walton Goggins of The Shield as reformed drug-runner Boyd Crowder, Natalie Zea of Dirty Sexy Money as Raylan’s ex-wife, and long-running character actor Nick Searcy as Raylan’s boss. The show has already been renewed for a second season, so it’s a perfect chance to catch up on the episodes on iTunes (or if you were lucky enough to DVR them). And if you just can’t get enough of Olyphant, check out his other projects. He starred in the unique zombie film The Crazies, which was released in February, and is reprising the role of title role in Hitman 2. Olyphant isn’t all dark, though. Next season, he’ll play a paper salesman on two episodes of hit comedy The Office. Think Michael (Steve Carell) will be able to stand up to him? Tune in and see.