Season 3,
Air Date: Sunday, September 28 on MGM+
Rating: [rating=4]
“¿Quién es? ¿Quién es?” – Billy the Kid
The Lincoln County War may be over, but the violence hasn’t let up in MGM+’s hit series Billy the Kid. Still wanted for his role in the conflict, Billy (Tom Blyth) and the remaining members of his gang, known as the Regulators, are on the run; relentlessly pursued by his former friend turned nemesis, Sheriff Pat Garrett (Alex Roe). With the stakes rising, and both sides suffering losses, Billy faces a painful choice: continue his quest for vengeance or leave it all behind to protect the woman he loves, Dulcinea (Nuria Vega).
Season three dives straight into the heart of this rivalry. The entire season plays out like an intense game of cat and mouse, with Billy and Sheriff Garrett constantly trying to outmaneuver each other. While Emilio Estevez will always be my favorite performance of Billy the Kid, Blyth has carved out his own legacy. He doesn’t just look the part, he embodies it. His performance is layered and intense. I especially enjoyed watching his subtle shifts in demeanor as he moves between loving partner and cold-blooded killer. Though Blyth and Roe don’t share many scenes, their rivalry creates a palpable tension that feels like onscreen chemistry. It’s like watching two chess masters circle each other, each play more dangerous than the last.
Daniel Webber returns as the outlaw Jesse Evans. And rounding out the cast are Sean O. Roberts as the bullying frontier lawman Bob Olinger; Brendan Fletcher as Billy’s loyal partner George Coe; Shaun Smyth as rancher Pete Maxwell; and Javier Lacroix as Billy’s trusted confidant, Juan Patron.
With all this talent, it’s a shame that not every character gets the spotlight they deserve. One of the season’s few missteps is its handling of secondary roles. Some characters blur together, and a few subplots feel underdeveloped. A bit more backstory or political context would have gone a long way. Even Garrett’s dialogue occasionally comes across as corny.
Where the show truly shines is in its cinematography. Filmed in the sweeping plains of Calgary, Alberta, the series uses aerial shots to breathtaking effect. As someone who’s driven through Lincoln County, New Mexico, where many key buildings from the war still stand, I found myself imagining Billy riding through the countryside. Seeing that vision come to life on screen is surreal, even if the filming took place thousands of miles away. The vast landscape becomes a character of its own.
Episode three features one of my favorite shots of the series. As Garrett and his posse ride into town, the camera pulls back to reveal the group splitting up and surrounding the area from all sides. It’s a stunning cinematic moment that showcases the production’s commitment to authenticity. By avoiding artificial facades and opting for weathered, lived-in buildings, the series breathes life into its setting. Compared to the Young Guns films, which I’ve long admired, MGM’s Billy the Kid surpasses them in visual storytelling. The drone work adds cinematic grandeur, making the open plains feel both majestic and perilous.
As someone who’s visited many of Billy the Kid’s historical landmarks, I appreciate the show’s balance between fact and fiction. Before the start of season two, I had set designer Evan Spence on the podcast. He reminded me that these stories are entertainment, not documentaries. Good storytelling should spark curiosity, and this series does just that. I can’t tell you the number of times I paused the show to look up if a scene was fact or fiction. Shows like this invite viewers to dig deeper, to separate myth from history.
With the announcement that this would be the final season, I had a feeling where the story was headed. Billy’s fate has been told and retold from the 1973 film titled, Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid to 1988’s Young Guns. The real question I thought is ‘would MGM give us a definitive ending or leave room for ambiguity?’ You’ll have to watch to find out.
From its breathtaking imagery to its wild shootouts, season three is a thrilling ride that leaves you wanting more. Having conquered the Vikings and now Billy the Kid, I can’t wait to see which legend showrunner Michael Hirst tackles next.
For more information on MGM+ Billy the Kid, visit the official website.
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