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'Longmire' resurrected: Netflix breathes new life into the popular crime drama

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Kyla Brewer / TV Media
Robert Taylor stars in “Longmire”

Robert Taylor stars in “Longmire”

You can't keep a good man down, especially when that man is Walt Longmire. Despite A&E's contentious cancelation of "Longmire" after the season 3 finale in August 2014, the drama about the Wyoming sheriff is being resurrected beginning Thursday, Sept. 10, on Netflix, which drops the entire 10-episode fourth season at once. Based on the popular "Walt Longmire Mysteries" novels by Craig Johnson, the contemporary western is set in Wyoming's fictional Absaroka County, where Longmire (Robert Taylor, "Home and Away") keeps the peace.

No doubt "Longmire's" return is good news for fans, after the series left off with a major cliffhanger at the end of season 3. Though A&E presumably dropped the series to focus on shows that appeal to a younger demographic and attract more advertising dollars, "Longmire" was given a second chance, thanks to some fancy dancing by Warner Bros. Television Group chief Peter Roth, who reportedly had Netflix honcho Cindy Holland on the phone within 12 minutes of the cancelation announcement.

"When Warner Horizon Television [a division of WBTV] came to us with the idea for a new season of 'Longmire,' we were intrigued because the series is so unique and consistently great. We are thrilled to help continue Walt Longmire's story for his large and passionate following," said Holland, who is the vice-president of original content at Netflix.

Australian actor Taylor is a quiet storm as the title character, a classic cowboy still tormented by his wife's murder. Despite his demons, Walt's steadfast in his commitment to justice for the people in his community. He's flanked by a number of tried-and-true compadres, including Lou Diamond Phillips ("La Bamba," 1987) as Walt's best friend Henry Standing Bear, a Cheyenne who runs a local tavern; Katee Sackoff ("Battlestar Galactica") as sheriff's deputy Vic Moretti, a transplanted Philadelphia homicide detective; Cassidy Freeman ("Smallville") as Walt's daughter, Cady; and Bailey Chase ("Saving Grace") as Branch Connally, Cady's former beau who was suspended at the end of season 3.

With seasons 1 to 3 already available for streaming, it only made sense for Netflix to keep the show going. Still, this is a big move for the world's leading Internet TV network, which boasts more than 53 million viewers in nearly 50 countries. Most of the content available on Netflix originated elsewhere, but it now has its own critically acclaimed hits such as "House of Cards," "Orange Is the New Black" and "Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt," which have attracted the talents of heavy hitters such as Kevin Spacey ("21," 2008) and Tina Fey ("30 Rock").

Netflix's version of "Longmire" shows a lot of promise, thanks to an extended runtime and more cinematic feel. Commercial-free programming means the show can spend more time not only on character and plot development, but on cinematography -- a big plus when a show is set in Big Sky country.

Bailey Chase as seen in “Longmire”

Bailey Chase as seen in “Longmire”

"Netflix's marching orders were: 'Go make the show you've been making, just don't make it feel like television,'" explained co-creator and executive producer John Coveny in a news release. "It was really great to hear that because we were (already) making that show and cutting it down to fit on television. You really get the feel of the show as it was originally envisioned."

According to Phillips, part of that expanded storyline will be more of a focus on Henry Standing Bear's storylines. For a show with a large Native American following, that's a huge plus. In fact, the show has been praised for its portrayal of Cheyenne culture.

While "Longmire" will surely attract its loyal fan base to Netflix, these changes have the potential to attract an even more enthusiastic audience. Giving viewers the ability to binge-watch series is allowing Netflix to give traditional broadcasters and even cable giants a run for their money, all for a bargain basement price compared to their competitors. However, could there be a disadvantage to serving the whole season up at once? Once the season is in the can and "out there," producers and writers can no longer gauge audience reaction to characters and/or events and adjust accordingly.

In any case, getting viewers to tune in to the season 4 premiere shouldn't be all that difficult. After news of the cancelation broke in August of last year, fans quickly launched a social media campaign using the hashtag #LongLiveLongmire in a charge to save the series, even getting stars Taylor and Freeman on board. It worked, because not even three months later, the series was revived by Netflix.

All of this is to say that fans are likely champing at the bit to find out what happens after the season 3 cliffhanger, and with good reason. Those who want to know how it all pans out will have to power up their Netflix subscriptions when season 4 of "Longmire" premieres Thursday, Sept. 10, in Canada and the U.S. on the Internet streamer.