AMC Sets Date for Final ‘Hell on Wheels' Episodes

AMC will launch the final episodes of its western-themed series Hell on Wheels in June, the network said Wednesday.

The series, which follows the exploits surrounding the building of America’s first transcontinental railroad, will premiere the last seven episodes of the its fifth and final season June 11, said network officials.

“It has been a pleasure working with the entire Hell on Wheels cast and crew over the last five seasons and on behalf of all of us at AMC, we thank you for creating an epic program that will live on through your many loyal fans and the new ones yet to come,” Joel Stillerman, president of original programming and development for AMC and SundanceTV said in a statement.

The network also announced it will premiere on June 11 its limited series, The American West. The 8-episode limited event series, produced by actor Robert Redford and producer Stephen David (The World Wars), chronicles the personal, little-known stories of Western legends such as Jesse James, Billy the Kid, Wyatt Earp, Crazy Horse and Sitting Bull.

 “As we continue to explore untold stories, I am proud to expand our partnership with Stephen David ... we are excited to share the story of the post-Civil War western expansion,” said Stillerman.  “We also welcome Robert Redford and Sundance production to AMC as we continue to provide the best in Western content to our audience with The American West.”

R. Thomas Umstead

R. Thomas Umstead serves as senior content producer, programming for Multichannel News, Broadcasting + Cable and Next TV. During his more than 30-year career as a print and online journalist, Umstead has written articles on a variety of subjects ranging from TV technology, marketing and sports production to content distribution and development. He has provided expert commentary on television issues and trends for such TV, print, radio and streaming outlets as Fox News, CNBC, the Today show, USA Today, The New York Times and National Public Radio. Umstead has also filmed, produced and edited more than 100 original video interviews, profiles and news reports featuring key cable television executives as well as entertainers and celebrity personalities.