The Red Road: Jason Momoa’s Gripping Drama Makes Surprise Return to Netflix

A Welcome Return for Overlooked Thriller

Jason Momoa’s series, The Red Road, has made a highly anticipated return to Netflix after six years, with both seasons of the drama available on the platform in the US and select international regions as of December 26. This comeback offers viewers a fresh opportunity to discover a gritty small-town thriller that originally aired on SundanceTV between 2014 and 2015, but largely flew under the radar during its initial run.

The timing couldn’t be more relevant for Momoa fans. Jason Momoa has a pretty packed year ahead of him, with prominent roles in Dune: Part 3, Supergirl, and the new Street Fighter movie, making this an ideal moment to revisit his earlier television work before he became a global superstar.

What Makes The Red Road Compelling

Set in Walpole, New Jersey, the story revolves around the tension between the local community and the neighboring Lenape Native American tribe in the Ramapough Mountains. The 12-episode series follows Sheriff Harold Jensen, played by Martin Henderson, whose life unravels when a college student disappears. The investigation leads him into the neighboring mountains, where a federally unrecognized Native American tribe makes its home, and Jensen eventually finds himself face-to-face with an ex-con and tribe member, Phillip Kopus (Momoa), whose return to the town threatens the unsteady peace.

Originally diffused on Sundance Channel between 2014 and 2015, The Red Road was one of those American series that passed under the radar in France due to limited distribution, and its arrival on Netflix offers new exposure, allowing audiences to rediscover a dramatic thriller centred on community tensions rarely represented on television.

Limited Streaming Window and Critical Reception

Viewers should act quickly if they want to catch the series. The Red Road is only back for six months, meaning it could leave as early as June 26th, 2026, should it not get a streaming extension. A new deal with AMC was established earlier this year, and the series is now part of an expanded agreement between Netflix and AMC, which brings various classic shows from the network to the streaming platform.

While critics gave the show mixed reviews, audiences responded more positively. Though it received mixed reviews, sitting at 67% on Rotten Tomatoes, the audience score was significantly more favourable at 86%. The series showcases Momoa in a dramatically different role from his later blockbuster performances, offering a more intimate exploration of secrets, community conflict, and moral compromise in small-town America.