Apple TV+ Cancels “The Last Frontier” After One Season
Apple TV+ has canceled its Alaska-set neo-Western drama, The Last Frontier, after a single season. The series, which premiered in October 2023, faced criticism for a convoluted plot and underutilized cast, despite an initially promising premise.
The Last Frontier followed Frank pearce (Jason Clarke), a U.S. Marshal seeking redemption while navigating the harsh Alaskan wilderness. He partnered with a Native American Marshal, Billy Ann (Dallas Goldtooth), and faced a series of challenges including escaped convicts and a complex, overarching conspiracy involving covert government programs.
The show’s serialized mythology, encompassing elements like Archive Six, the Atwater Protocol, and XenoGate, proved a significant point of contention. Critics noted the plot’s lack of clarity and the confusing motivations of the character Havlock (played by an unnamed actor,deliberately withheld in initial reviews too avoid spoiling a twist).The procedural elements, involving escaped convicts, were initially engaging but became repetitive and ”blandly” resolved by the season’s midpoint.
Performances were also a source of critique, with Clarke described as “mumbly and glum,” Bennett (presumably referring to Bernard Bennett) as ”generally glum,” and Knoxville (Bam Yauch) as “wasted.” Alfre Woodard, often praised for her authoritative roles, was given what was described as her “most underwritten role to date.”
A particular disappointment was the limited role given to Dallas Goldtooth, known for his work on Reservation Dogs. His character primarily served as a sounding board for Frank, asking “What’s wrong, boss?” and offering “snippets of wisdom” without significant development within the context of Alaskan communities.
Despite these issues, the pilot and finale were singled out as the strongest episodes, demonstrating the creative potential of the series’ concept. The finale concluded with a setup for a second season, which will now not materialize.
The show also drew attention for its occasionally unconvincing visual effects, exemplified by a scene involving a character falling into a chasm and reappearing unharmed without explanation.
