An American television programme called Into the Badlands debuted on AMC on November 15, 2015. Into the Badlands has been called a “post-apocalyptic drama” and “a high-octane sci-fi martial arts series.” The show centres on a warrior and a juvenile child who travel through a perilous feudal country in search of wisdom. After three seasons, AMC cancelled the programme on February 9, 2019. On May 6, 2019, the series conclusion broadcast.
War has destroyed society in a postapocalyptic planet 500 years in the future. Some technological elements, such as power and ground cars, have weathered the apocalypse, but society has shunned guns, forcing people to rely on melee weapons and crossbows.
A feudal society has evolved to fill the power void left by the conflict in a region known as the Badlands, which encompasses several states situated between the Rocky Mountains and the Mississippi River. Barons own property and have monopolies on goods such as opium and gasoline, and they trade amongst themselves to keep the peace.
Each lord is serviced by a vast army of captives known as cogs, as well as a prostitute class known as dolls. A baron retains control through an army of young men and women known as clippers: highly trained and faithful warriors who are prohibited from marrying or having children for fear of dividing their loyalties. A governor commands each clipper squad.
Outside of the rigid order of the barons, several organisations exist. Nomads are the most prevalent type of bandit, mostly lawless homicidal bandits who take from trade convoys between baronies, but some reside in structured groups. The River King and his retainers control the water commerce in the Badlands and beyond, and are regarded as a neutral party in the power battles of the barons.
The Totemists, an ascetic religious organisation, are also shown to live on the outskirts of society, living in isolated villages and performing a type of idol worship. The Widow heads a rebel group of anti-feudal warriors from her late husband’s barony; despite being formally acknowledged as a baron by her peers, she is despised, and the disdain is mutual.
Little is known about the world beyond the Badlands, but it is suggested that it is far less politically secure while remaining ecologically sound. Outside the Badlands, the legendary utopian city of Azra is thought to exist, but most disregard it as a legend.
