With its Golden Globe Best Drama Series nomination for their new hit The Walking Dead (and one for Mad Men as well) less than a day old, AMC continues to push toward the future, this time giving a greenlight to the awesome-sounding Hell On Wheels. Rumors have been running rampant about the move ever since the network axed Rubicon, but now it's official. The Western stars Anson Mount as a bitter Confederate soldier who takes a job building the Transcontinental Railroad.
According to Deadline, Hell On Wheels' episode order is ten. Ten years ago that would have seemed like a joke, but with cable and premium network shows increasingly favoring short, well-coordinated mini-seasons, the figure should come as little surprise. More episodes always seems like the way to go at face value, but with a serial drama, it's a lot harder to plan out 22 hour long episodes without resorting to filler.
AMC is now six for six in ordered pilots eventually making their way to the small screen. Three of those pilots, Mad Men, Breaking Bad and The Walking Dead have turned into critical darlings, with public response matching the lofty praise. Let's hope Hell On Wheels lives up to the challenge.
