archytele The Vault

Hell on Wheels 2011

“All roads lead to hell.”

★ 7.6/10 · 470 votes TV-14 Action & AdventureDramaWestern 5 seasons · 57 eps Ended
Where to watch: Paramount Plus PremiumParamount Plus EssentialPhiloParamount Plus Apple TV ChannelAMC Plus Apple TV ChannelParamount+ Amazon ChannelAMC+ Amazon ChannelAMC+ Roku Premium ChannelAMC+Spectrum On DemandAmazon VideoApple TV StoreGoogle Play MoviesFandango At HomeThe Roku ChannelPlexXumo PlayLionsgate+ Amazon ChannelsTubi TVAmazon Prime Video
Quick answer

What is Hell on Wheels?

Hell on Wheels is an American Western television series that aired on AMC from November 6, 2011, to July 23, 2016. The show centers on Cullen Bohannon, a former Confederate soldier seeking vengeance against Union forces following the death of his wife.

Type
TV series
Year
2011
Status
Ended
Episodes
57
First aired
Nov 6, 2011
Last aired
Jul 23, 2016
Original language
EN
Origin
US
Networks
AMC
Genres
Action & Adventure, Drama, Western
Updated
Availability by region

Where to watch

Stream

Lionsgate+ Amazon Channels

Free

Amazon Prime Video

Buy

Apple TV StoreFetch TV
Check current availability ↗

Streaming availability data provided by JustWatch via TMDB. Availability changes by country and date; verify on the provider before subscribing or purchasing.

Planning tool

How long to binge?

Estimate the schedule using 57 episodes and an average 45-minute runtime.

Trailer

No official trailer is available for this title yet.

Find the trailer on YouTube ↗

Overview

Hell on Wheels is an American Western television series that aired on AMC from November 6, 2011, to July 23, 2016. The show centers on Cullen Bohannon, a former Confederate soldier seeking vengeance against Union forces following the death of his wife. His pursuit leads him westward to a transient, lawless town known as Hell on Wheels, which follows the construction of the first transcontinental railroad. This mobile settlement serves the workers and travelers involved in what was then a monumental engineering project. The series explores themes of survival, justice, and redemption amidst the harsh realities of post-Civil War America. Created by Joe Gayton and Tony Gayton, the show stars Anson Mount as Bohannon alongside a supporting cast including Colm Meaney, Robin McLeavy, and Phil Burke. The title refers both to the treacherous environment of the frontier and the infernal conditions faced by those building the railroad.

Advertisement

Should you watch it?

“A former Confederate soldier tracks his wife's killers across the lawless frontier of the transcontinental railroad.”

Reasons to watch
  • compelling revenge narrative
  • vivid historical setting
Keep in mind
  • frequent depictions of lawlessness

Watch it if you enjoy historical dramas set during the construction of the American transcontinental railroad.

The series contains intense themes and depictions of violence consistent with a lawless frontier setting.

Ask the Vault

Ask anything about Hell on Wheels — answers are spoiler-safe.

Your verdict

Is Hell on Wheels worth watching?

Cast

Episode guide

Season 1 · 10 episodes Open the complete Season 1 guide →
Season 2 · 10 episodes
Season 3 · 10 episodes
Season 4 · 13 episodes
Season 5 · 14 episodes

Frequently asked questions

What is the premise of the show?

The story follows a Confederate soldier seeking revenge against the Union soldiers who killed his wife.

Where does the story take place?

The narrative is set in post-Civil War America, specifically within a traveling town that follows railroad construction.

What is Hell on Wheels?

It is a dangerous, raucous, and lawless town that services the construction of the first transcontinental railroad.

What is the historical context?

The series is set in post-Civil War America during the construction of the first transcontinental railroad.

What drives the main character?

Cullen Bohannon is driven by his desire to exact revenge on the Union soldiers who killed his wife.