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Hell on Wheels starts in the middle of the post Civil War. The AMC western drama follows a rough railroad camp that moves all across America during the construction of the first transcontinental railroad.
However, apart from the story-telling, the real reason people stayed hooked onto the series for five entire seasons was the cast. Every major character in Hell on Wheels felt dirty, exhausted, angry, ambitious, or broken.
From the revenge driven railroad boss Cullen Bohannon to the terrifying Swede, the AMC series surely does have a cast that has carried the entire show on their backs.
Hell on Wheels was never just a western drama about trains
At first look, Hell on Wheels is a classic western revenge-driven story. Cullen Bohannon moves out west after losing his wife and son during the Civil War, and he spends the early part of the show hunting the Union soldiers who are responsible.
However, soon enough, the series turns into something that is a lot bigger than just mere revenge.
The railroad camp comes into play, and workers, businessmen, former soldiers, immigrants, freed slaves, religious leaders, and criminals all end up trapped in the same violent town.
Every single season of Hell on Wheels takes forward this idea that survival is what matters more than morality.
The series also spends a lot of time highlighting the power struggles. Money, race, land, and politics constantly shape the lives of the characters, and even when the railroad keeps moving forward, most people in the camp feel emotionally stuck.
There's a balance between each of the characters' own personal trauma and the national expansion. This again gave the series its edge for five entire seasons.
Hell on Wheels cast: Here's who brought the series to life
Anson Mount is Cullen Bohannon
Bohannon is a former Confederate soldier who crosses paths with the railroad world while wanting revenge for his family, that has been murdered. Over time, Bohannon becomes one of the most important men of the railroad project.
Anson Mount is also known for: Star Trek: Strange New Worlds & Crossroads.
Common is Elam Ferguson
Elam is a newly freed man who's been trying to figure out where he belongs after the evil of slavery. He becomes close to Bohannon and eventually becomes one of the strongest men in the camp.
Common is also known for: Just Wright & John Wick: Chapter 2.
Colm Meaney is Thomas “Doc” Durant
Durant is the railroad investor who cares more about profit than he does about people. He's a character who always lies, manipulates, and schemes constantly, but somehow, he's still entertaining to watch on screen.
Colm Meaney is also known for: Remarkably Bright Creatures & No Way Up.
Tom Noonan is Reverend Nathaniel Cole
Reverend Nathaniel Cole is a preacher who's being haunted by violence from his past. He wants to have peace between the settlers and the Native communities, but he also struggles with his own set of guilt and anger.
Tom Noonan is also known for: Manhunter & 12 Monkeys.
Dominique McElligott is Lily Bell
Lily is a widow whose husband worked as a railroad surveyor. In Hell on Wheels, she fights to create her own place inside a male-dominated space.
Dominique McElligott is also known for: The Boys & House of Cards.
Ben Esler is Seán McGinnes
Seán is a young Irish immigrant who's chasing success in the American West. He is extremely ambitious and impulsive, and is always trying to climb the ladder to reach a higher position.
Ben Esler is also known for: The Morning After & Blue Ridge.
Phil Burke is Mickey McGinnes
Mickey is Seán’s older brother who joins him in America in hopes of finding a better future. Unlike Seán, Mickey is a lot more grounded and he's also pretty emotionally open.
Phil Burke is also known for: Hunters & Cut Shoot Kill.
Eddie Spears is Joseph Black Moon
Joseph is a Cheyenne convert to Christianity, and he's constantly torn apart between two different identities. His story captures the cultural conflict that's seen running all throughout Hell on Wheels.
Eddie Spears is also known for: Black Cloud & Yellow Rock.
Christopher Heyerdahl is Thor Gundersen
Thor Gundersen, who's also better known as “The Swede,” starts off as the railroad security man and slowly turns into one of the show’s most disturbing villains.
Christopher Heyerdahl is also known for: Sanctuary & Van Helsing.
Dohn Norwood is Psalms Jackson
Psalms is a former slave and is also a convicted criminal who is being forced into railroad work. He enters in later seasons of Hell on Wheels but soon becomes one of the camp’s most layered characters.
Dohn Norwood is also known for: Hightown & What Still Remains.
Other supporting cast & characters for Hell on Wheels
- Robin McLeavy as Eva Toole
- Kasha Kropinski as Ruth Cole
- MacKenzie Porter as Naomi Hatch
- Jennifer Ferrin as Louise Ellison
- Jake Weber as John Allen Campbell
- Reg Rogers as James Strobridge
- Tim Guinee as Collis Huntington
- Angela Zhou as Mei/ Fong
- Chelah Horsdal as Maggie Palmer
- Byron Mann as Chang
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