The closure of Hudson's Bay in Canada at the start of 2025 marked the end of a 355-year-old retail institution. Known for its striped blankets and holiday displays, the company had become a beloved department store chain. But its origins were far from cozy—and Netflix's gritty series Frontier, starring Jason Momoa, now serves as a fascinating prequel to that collapse.
Set in the late 18th century, Frontier follows Declan Harp (Momoa), a half-Irish, half-Cree outlaw determined to take down the Hudson's Bay Company's stranglehold on the fur trade. The series doesn't shy away from the violence and manipulation the company used to maintain its monopoly. Lord Benton, the ruthless corporate enforcer, embodies the corporation's willingness to crush anyone in its path.
What makes Frontier so compelling is how it places the company at the center of every conflict. Alliances shift, fortunes rise and fall, and entire communities are caught in the crossfire of rival traders fighting over one of the world's most valuable commodities at the time: fur. It's a raw, unflinching look at corporate power before the term even existed.
Jason Momoa's Underrated Performance
Momoa delivers one of his most nuanced TV roles as Declan Harp—a man driven by revenge but also a desire for freedom from a system that exploits everyone. Unlike many period dramas, Frontier refuses to paint characters as purely good or evil. Nearly everyone is chasing power, wealth, or survival, making for morally complex storytelling that feels more realistic than typical hero's journeys.
The series also stands out for its inclusion of Indigenous perspectives. Cree communities and cultures are woven into the narrative, offering a view of colonial expansion that goes beyond the usual European-centric tales. Combined with stunning Canadian landscapes and brutal action, Frontier is an ambitious historical drama that deserves more attention.
If you're a fan of shows like Peaky Blinders, you'll appreciate the corporate scheming and family betrayals. For more on that vibe, check out our piece on Peaky Blinders Fans, Meet Your New Obsession: Netflix's House of Guinness.
A New Lens on History
When Frontier debuted in 2016, Hudson's Bay was still a functioning retailer. Viewers could watch knowing the company eventually evolved from a fur-trading powerhouse into the department store many grew up with. Now, with the stores gone and the brand sold to Canadian Tire, watching the series creates an eerie sense of historical symmetry.
The show begins at the height of the company's influence, when it seemed untouchable. Modern audiences know that even 355-year-old institutions can vanish. What once played as a historical adventure now doubles as an origin story for a company whose remarkable run has finally ended. Its battles over commerce and corporate power no longer point toward an uncertain future—they point toward a conclusion we've just witnessed.
For more on Netflix's historical dramas, don't miss our list of Best Netflix Movies to Watch on July 13, 2026: Our Top Picks.
Nearly a decade after it premiered, Frontier offers a timely reminder that even the most powerful corporations are not invincible. It's a brutal, beautiful, and now more relevant than ever look at the roots of a company that shaped a continent—and then disappeared.
