The Red Road, the SundanceTV drama that aired from 2014 to 2015, remains a compelling yet overlooked entry in the golden age of cable television, blending tense crime thriller elements with poignant social commentary on Native American communities and small-town America.
Created by Aaron Guzikowski (Prisoners) and executive produced by Bridget Carpenter, the series follows Sheriff Harold Jensen (Martin Henderson), a struggling lawman in a rural New Jersey town, who forms an uneasy alliance with Phillip Kopus (Jason Momoa), a dangerous ex-con from the local Lenape tribe. Their partnership begins after Harold covers up a tragedy involving his wife Jean (Julianne Nicholson), drawing him into Kopus’ world of crime, family loyalties, and tribal conflicts.
Over two seasons of six episodes each, The Red Road explores themes of corruption, addiction, cultural clash, and redemption. Inspired by the real struggles of the Ramapough Lenape Nation in the Ramapo Mountains — including toxic waste dumping and marginalization — the show offers a rare, nuanced portrayal of Indigenous issues in mainstream TV.
Momoa, in one of his early post-Game of Thrones roles, delivers a magnetic performance as the brooding, charismatic Kopus, while Henderson grounds the series as the morally compromised Jensen. Nicholson shines as the troubled Jean, and supporting players like Tamara Tunie, Allie Gonino, and Kiowa Gordon add depth to the ensemble.
Critics praised the atmospheric tension and strong acting, with Rotten Tomatoes giving it 65% approval: “The Red Road suffers from uneven writing, but its talented cast and creepy story hint at undeveloped promise.” Metacritic scored it 66/100, noting its hypnotic dread reminiscent of Top of the Lake.
Filmed in Georgia to mimic New Jersey’s mountains, the series builds slow-burn suspense with stunning visuals and a haunting score. Season 1 sets up the fragile alliance, while Season 2 escalates with tribal politics, federal interference, and personal betrayals — ending on a cliffhanger that left fans devastated when SundanceTV canceled it in 2015.
A decade later, The Red Road has found new life on streaming (AMC+, Netflix in some regions), earning cult status for its bold storytelling and Momoa’s breakout drama role. Though short-lived, it stands as a thoughtful, gritty drama that dared to illuminate hidden American stories. For fans of character-driven thrillers like Rectify or Reservation Dogs, this underseen series is worth rediscovering — a road well worth traveling.