Duster

Set in 1972, Duster follows a pioneering Black female FBI agent who arrives in the American Southwest to investigate a rising crime syndicate. She recruits a bold, talented getaway driver whose street skills and instinct for danger make him an unlikely but necessary partner. Their uneasy alliance mixes undercover work, high-stakes chases and morally gray decisions as they try to dismantle the organization from the inside. Along the way they form fragile bonds with local players, face entrenched corruption and confront the limits of the law, all while the period setting and social tensions of the era shape every move they make.

Created by J.J. Abrams and LaToya Morgan, Duster premiered in 2025. The series leans into 1970s aesthetics and crime drama conventions, and stars Josh Holloway, Rachel Hilson, Asivak Koostachin, Sydney Elisabeth and Benjamin Charles Watson.

As of its initial run the show did not claim major industry awards or high-profile nominations. It did, however, draw attention for strong lead turns and its production design, with some critics and viewers singling out acting and atmosphere rather than accolades.

Duster sparked conversation about representation and premise, because it centers a Black female FBI agent during a tense historical moment. Fans and critics noted the series’ period styling, car-focused sequences and moral ambiguity, and those elements helped it find a dedicated audience among viewers who like retro crime stories with a contemporary perspective.

Early reception was mixed to positive, reflecting a vote average around 6.2/10 from a small pool of reviewers and viewers. Praise tended to focus on performances, the mood and the authentic-feeling 1970s details, while criticisms targeted uneven pacing and plot resolution. Major themes include race and authority, loyalty among outlaws and lawmen, and the personal costs of fighting crime within flawed institutions.