It’s set in the Wild West, but where was Logan screenwriter Scott Frank and aired its sole season in late 2017. The seven-episode miniseries is set in late 19th century New Mexico and centers upon the quiet town of La Belle – a gold rush settlement left practically devoid of menfolk after a mining accident claimed their lives – and focuses on Roy Goode (Jack O’Connell), an outlaw on the run from his father figure, former boss and gang leader Frank Griffin (Jeff Daniels).
Alongside Jack O’Connell and Jeff Daniels, the talented Godless cast includes Downton Abbey fame as Alice Fletcher – a local widow and ranch owner who takes in Roy. The Western drama has been hailed as one of the best TV series on Netflix and went on to win three Primetime Emmy Awards.
The production was based in Santa Fe, New Mexico and most of Godless was filmed in the northern reaches of the state, taking full advantage of its gorgeously rugged landscapes. Although there is a real place called La Belle in New Mexico, it’s long been a ghost town and the La Belle that appears in Godless is actually fictional. It is, however, inspired by several real Southwest mining towns and was a purpose-built set constructed in the grounds of the San Cristobal Ranch a few miles south of Santa Fe. The La Belle set featured 28 different buildings – including a hotel, saloon and jail – and took over 12 weeks to build.
The opening scene of Godless sees Marshal John Cook (Sam Waterston) come across a train wreck and massacre caused by Frank Griffin and his gang in the town of Creede, Colorado. While Creede is indeed a real place, the scenes were shot at Cerro Pelon Ranch in New Mexico which is owned by fashion designer/filmmaker Tom Ford and was also used as a filming location for movies including Thor. Other Godless scenes were filmed at Diablo Canyon, the town of Jemez Pueblo (where Griffin and his gang hide out) and along the Rio Chama – a tributary of the Rio Grande.
While the majority of the action in Godless took place in New Mexico, the last episode of the Western miniseries saw Roy Goode head off to California to reunite with his long-lost brother, with the final scene showing Jack O’Connell looking out across the Pacific Ocean. That stunning Godless scene was filmed on location in the rugged Big Sur region of California.