The season follows Cullen Bohannon as he abandons seeking revenge for the deaths of his family in order to continue to drive the westward expansion of Union Pacific Railroad, while battling Thomas "Doc" Durant for control.

[6] Wirth stated the third season would "be a western about work — the building of the railroad, the binding of the nation after the Civil War, and the rehabilitation of the men who lived and fought their way through those exploits."

Calgary producer Chad Oakes called it "a true defining moment" of his career: "The credit goes to people who gave up their hiatus, worked around the clock, seven days a week, over the long weekend and having their families and kids understanding that this was so critical ... We could not fail.

"[11] For the sixth episode of the season, "One Less Mule", series producer and star Anson Mount asked musician Charlie Daniels to create a song to which his Cullen Bohannon and Louise Ellison dance.

"[23] The New York Times's Mike Hale focused on the relationship between Cullen and Elam: "A prickly alliance founded on mutual respect and constantly threatened by both history and present, unpleasant circumstance, it's more subtle and moving than your average TV bromance and brings out the best in Common and Mr.