If you’ve spent any time wandering through the rugged, pine-heavy landscapes of Saddlestring, Wyoming—at least the version of it streaming on your screen—you’ve probably found yourself staring at the lead actor and wondering where the heck you’ve seen him before. He’s got that quiet, simmering intensity. He looks like he could track a elk through a blizzard but also looks like he’s carrying the weight of the world on his shoulders.
Michael Dorman is the man who plays Joe Pickett.
Honestly, it’s a bit of a trip when you realize he’s not actually a Wyoming native. Heck, he’s not even American. Dorman is a New Zealander who spent a huge chunk of his life in Australia. Yet, here he is, perfectly capturing the "straight-arrow" energy of C.J. Box’s iconic game warden.
The Man Behind the Badge: Michael Dorman
A lot of people think Dorman just popped out of nowhere to pin on the game warden shield. Not quite. If you’re a fan of high-concept sci-fi or gritty dramas, you’ve definitely seen him.
He was the heart-wrenching Gordo Stevens in For All Mankind on Apple TV+. He was also the lead in the cult-favorite Amazon series Patriot, playing a depressed intelligence officer who deals with his trauma by writing folk songs. That role, specifically, is probably what prepared him for Joe Pickett. Both characters are men of few words who are constantly being squeezed by systems much larger than themselves.
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In the Joe Pickett series, Dorman has to play a very specific kind of hero. He’s not a gunslinger. He’s not a superhero. He’s a guy who cares about bag limits and fishing licenses, even when everyone else is worried about oil money and murder. Dorman brings a certain "lived-in" quality to the role. You believe he’s spent time in the cold.
Why he was the "right" Joe
Choosing an actor for a character with 24 books (and counting) of history is a death trap. Fans have a very specific image of Joe in their heads. In the books, Joe is described as somewhat ordinary-looking—not a "mountain man" stereotype, but someone who blends in.
Dorman fits this because he doesn't look like he spent four hours in a makeup chair. He looks like a dad. A tired dad. But when things go sideways, he has that "switch" he flips. Critics have noted that Dorman's performance leans into Joe's vulnerability, which is a big part of why the show worked for two seasons on Spectrum and Paramount+.
Supporting Cast: The World Around Joe
Joe isn't exactly a lone wolf, even if he wants to be. The show is as much about his family as it is about the crimes he’s investigating.
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Julianna Guill plays Marybeth Pickett.
She is basically the backbone of the entire operation. While Joe is out getting beat up by poachers, Marybeth is the one using her legal background to actually solve the conspiracies. Guill and Dorman have this chemistry that feels like a real marriage—messy, supportive, and occasionally very tense.
Then there’s the powerhouse supporting cast:
- Mustafa Speaks as Nate Romanowski. This was a big talking point for book fans because the character’s physical description was changed for the show, but Speaks absolutely nails the "mysterious survivalist" vibe.
- David Alan Grier as Vern Dunnegan. Seeing a comedy legend play a retired game warden with a questionable moral compass was a stroke of genius.
- Sharon Lawrence as Missy. She plays Marybeth’s mother, and let’s just say she brings a very different kind of energy to the Wyoming wilderness.
Is the show still running?
This is the part that sucks. Despite being a huge hit for Spectrum—it was literally their most-watched original series—the show was caught in the crossfire of corporate shuffling. Paramount+ picked it up for the second season, but it was officially canceled in late 2023.
So, while Michael Dorman is Joe Pickett, he won't be returning for a Season 3. At least, not as of right now. The show exists as a 20-episode journey that covers the events of the books Open Season, Winterkill, and Blood Trail.
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What to Watch Next If You Love Dorman's Performance
If you’ve finished the series and you’re craving more of that specific "Dorman energy," you have options. Most people jump straight to For All Mankind, which is great, but if you want to see his range, find Patriot.
It’s weird. It’s dark. It’s funny in a way that makes you feel slightly uncomfortable. It proves that he’s one of the best character actors working today who just happens to be able to lead a show.
Actionable Next Steps for Fans:
- Stream the Full Series: Both seasons are currently living on Paramount+. If you only saw Season 1 on Spectrum, you’re missing the darker, more intense Season 2.
- Read the Source Material: If you’re mourning the TV show, C.J. Box has over two decades of Joe Pickett novels. Start with Open Season to see how the show differs from the original text.
- Check out "Territory": Dorman recently starred in the Australian neo-Western Territory (2024), which feels like a spiritual cousin to Joe Pickett, just with more Outback and fewer pine trees.
The reality is that Michael Dorman gave Joe a face and a voice that resonated with millions of viewers. Even though the show ended prematurely, his portrayal remains the gold standard for how to bring a "quiet" literary hero to life.