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Is Mayans MC Worth Watching?

Mayans-MC-TV-Show

Those who are cult fans of the “Sons of Anarchy” motorcycle TV series have this same question to ask: Is Mayans MC Worth Watching? To answer their question and end their curiosity, it is a good SOA spinoff FX crime drama to watch that narrates its own story, but has a link with Sons of Anarchy. The acting performance, detailing, storytelling, plots, and twists are all present in the Mayans M.C. show. It will keep you glued.


To be completely honest with you, the Mayans MC is not a flawless show if you compare it with Sons of Anarchy. However, it is among the must-watch Motorcycle TV Shows if you love the SOA genre, biker club stories, and crime series. Continue reading this article to learn more about the Mayans M.C. and whether you should invest your time in binge-watching it.

1. Mayans MC TV Series (2018-2023)

mayans-mc-show
Photo Credit: Prime Video

The Mayans MC is an American crime drama that started in 2018. Elgin James and Kurt Sutter are the creators of the show. It unfolds in the same world as Sons of Anarchy, but runs a new narrative with new lenses.


The setting of the Mayans TV show is a small border town, known as Santi Padre in Southern California. It is the place where the Mayans, a Mexican-American motorcycle club, operates. The show is centered on their lives, their crimes, and the difficulties of survival.


The Mayans M.C. was a five-season show that ended in 2023. It provided an entire story with a real-life ending to the fans. This is in comparison to most television series, which are cut short in the middle.

1.1 The Main Plot and Characters

The Mayans MC story centers on a young man named Ezekiel “EZ” Reyes, played by J.D. Pardo. EZ used to be a brilliant child bound to Stanford, the best school in town. However, his life went wrong, and he found himself in prison.


Upon his release from jail, EZ becomes a prospect of Mayans M.C. For those who don’t know, a prospect is a person seeking to secure a place in the club. EZ has to show that he is a tough and trustworthy guy. But EZ has big secrets. The FBI agents compel him to be a spy on the club. This puts him in real danger.


EZ has a brother named Angel. They both have great roles in the club. Felipe is their father, who is a decent man and operates a butcher shop. He hates what his sons have made out of themselves, but still loves them.


The Mayans TV show also introduces the Mayans M.C. club rival and ally from the old show. You also get to see members of the Sons of Anarchy (SOA) appear in the show at times. This makes the Mayans MC TV show connect two worlds without being forced.

2. Reasons Why You Should Watch the Mayans MC Show

2.1 Mayans MC Has a Strong, Gritty Story

The Mayans M.C. narrates about real suffering and difficult decisions. Every season of the series is a continuation of the previous one. The show does not shy away from depicting the dark side of crime. You will see people dying, and families breaking apart. Also, loyalties are tested.


The creators of the Mayans MC TV show wanted to narrate the lives of poor people living on the border and facing tough situations. Their world is treated with respect in the show. It does not make them feel inferior. This made the Mayans M.C. show receive positive reviews from people who are concerned with the fair stories.

2.2 Great Acting and Craft By Mayans MC Actors

mayans-mc-cast-actors
Photo Credit: Variety

The cast of the Mayans MC TV show brought the on-screen characters to life. J.D. Pardo as EZ portrays a man with an uncertain personality and mixed feelings in the show. He wishes to be good but gets deeper into the crime. Clayton Cardenas played the role of Angel in the Mayans show with great zeal. The bond between the EZ and Angel looked and felt so real.


Edward James Olmos, who played the father of EZ and Angel, Felipe, is outstanding. He adds sophistication and richness to each scene. As a viewer, you will experience his pain when his sons make poor decisions. Michael Irby as Bishop demonstrates the strength of a leader when things go wrong.


There is also a clever use of camera work and lighting in the Mayans MC. The show looks quite cinematic. Each frame tells a story. The style is appropriate to the dark world of the biker clubs.

2.3 Mayans MC TV Show’s Complex Themes About Family and Loyalty

The Mayans MC is a real family story. EZ is faced with a tough decision to choose between the blood relation and the motorcycle club life. His brother, Angel, supports him, and they do not get along. Their father, Felipe, attempts to teach them, but he feels helpless.


The Mayans M.C. show is realistic because of its themes. It is not just about crime; it is about what loyalty costs. It is concerning what people will do to their loved ones.

2.4 Border and Cultural Aspects in the Mayans MC Show

In contrast to the other motorcycle shows related to biker clubs, the Mayans MC gives real attention to the border life and Mexican-American culture. The show employs Mesoamerican symbols and concepts. It reveals the actual dread and hope at the border.


The Mayans TV series shows the ways in which cartels, poverty, and race determine the lives of people. This is what makes this biker TV show unique among other crime dramas.

3. How Does Mayans MC Compare to Sons of Anarchy?

Mayans MC VS Sons of Anarchy

mayans-mc-vs-sons-of-anarchy
Photo Credit: Parrot AnalyticsAmazon

The question that many people ask is whether the Mayans MC is as good as Sons of Anarchy. The answer to this is: They are both quite different. However, considering the success, Sons of Anarchy is a far successful motorcycle and crime drama show than Mayans M.C. The popularity of both the SOA TV show and the cast exceeds that of the Mayans MC.


People loved the SOA characters. They fell in love with them. On the other hand, according to many reviews, the characters on Mayans M.C. aren’t as strong as those on Sons of Anarchy. Despite being the SOA spinoff, the Mayans MC’s characters are different from the SOA.


Most people, even the Sons of Anarchy fans, may not know this: Sons of Anarchy was founded on the very popular Shakespeare's play, Hamlet. Hamlet inspired the iconic role of Jax Teller. The Sons of Anarchy had a clear traffic hero: Jax Teller. The Mayans MC does not attempt to imitate that. Instead, it narrates itself in its own manner.


Based on many Mayans MC TV show reviews:

  • Mayans is quite subtle.

  • Mayans is less action-packed, but it makes each action count.

  • Some say the Mayans MC show is more mature than SOA.

  • The show creates a more three-dimensional world.


To some reviewers, viewers are not getting uncivilized drama and violence as portrayed in Sons of Anarchy. The Mayans MC show is more rewarding for others. It is a matter of taste.


The point is, Mayans MC was made to be a show on its own. Jurt Sutter and Elgin James did not copy something, but created something new. That’s why Mayans MC is worth watching. 

4. Mayans MC’s Cast You Need to Know

4.1 J.D. Pardo as EZ Reyes

J.D. Pardo is the one who supports the Mayans MC as the lead. The EZ’s story starts with being a man who is struggling to make ends meet. He grows into a leader. Pardo has skillfully shown both sides of his character.

4.2 Clayton Cardenas as Angel Reyes (EZ’s Brother)

Angel is EZ’s brother in the show. He is fierce and loyal. Clayton Cardenas heats the scenes in the show. His limp and twitches are real gestures that reveal that a man has lived a tough life.

4.3 Edward James Olmos as Felipe Reyes (EZ’s Father)

The EZ’s father is seen carrying the grief and wisdom skillfully in the show. Olmos is a professional who adds seriousness to every scene.

4.4 Michael Irby as Obispo “Bishop” Losa

Michael Irby has played the role of the motorcycle club’s leader. Irby is a man who is trying to keep the club together as it unravels. He has played a quite complex and real character on the show.

4.5 Danny Pino as Miguel Galindo

Danny Pino has played Miguel Galindo, the cartel boss, as a college graduate. Pino portrays him as charismatic and dangerous. This makes him one of the show's best elements.

5. Mayans MC Ratings and Critics’ Take

The Mayans MC TV series (2018-2023) is rated 7.5 out of 10 on IMDb. This is a solid score. The ratings of the first season are higher than those that follow, and the show remains good throughout.


The Mayans M.C. liked what the critics were trying to accomplish. They applauded the show for trying to present the motorcycle club world in new ways. People concerned with good storytelling gave the show a thumbs-up.

6. Mayans MC Season Breakdown (2018-2023)

There are a total of 5 seasons of Mayans MC. Here is what you need to know:

6.1 Season 1 (10 Episodes)

EZ makes it into the club as a prospect. He is also sucked into the world of the FBI. His brother, Angel, is already a member of the club. The season came to an end with many huge changes on the way.

6.2 Season 2 (10 Episodes)

EZ and Angel find out who murdered their mom. They seek revenge. The conflict develops throughout the season. Season 2 contains some of the finest episodes of the entire Mayans TV show.

6.3 Season 3 (10 Episodes)

EZ has become a full member with a patch. The motorcycle club gets pushed due to the border shutdown. Also, the world of Miguel Galindo breaks.

6.4 Season 4 (10 Episodes)

There is a war between the Mayans and SAMCRO. Disagreements grow between Angel and EZ, and their paths split. EZ has been made the president of the Santo Padre charter.

6.5 Season 5 (10 Episodes)

This is the last season of the Mayans MC series. The conflict against the SAMCRO is aggravated. Big betrayals happen. The surprise that will come to an end of the show will shock you.


Each season of the Mayans MC has a clear arc. Season 5 leads to a literal conclusion of the show, and you get the closure.

7. Common Concerns About Mayans M.C. TV Show

7.1 Is There Too Much Violence in Mayans MC?

Yes! The Mayans MC is brutal. People get shot. The show includes torture scenes. There is also blood. This is not the show you can watch if you can’t bear the graphic violence. However, the violence is not only there for the shock. It means something.

7.2 Does Mayans MC Feel Too Much Like Sons of Anarchy?

At first, you may get the same vibe in the first season. However, as the story progresses to season 2, the Mayans MC has its own unique voice and story. The Sons of Anarchy affiliations are just to add a bit of flavor in the background.

7.3 Are the Early Episodes of Mayans MC Slow?

Some of the viewers of the Mayans MC show believe that season 1 is slow-paced. However, this slow pace pays off. By season 2, you are locked in. The ratings and positive reviews for Mayans MC increase as the story develops.

7.4 Where Can You Watch the Mayans MC?

The Mayans MC is available on Hulu. It is also on FX on Disney+. With this, you can easily start watching the Mayans TV show whenever you want.

8. Final Verdict: Is Mayans Worth Watching?

Is Mayans MC Worth Watching? The answer is ‘Yes’ with certain notes:

  • You should give it a try if you were a fan of Sons of Anarchy. Mayans MC is a continuation of the world Kurt Sutter created, but with a new life.

  • You will find the Mayans MC TV show a treat to watch if you are a fan of well-developed crime stories.

  • The Mayans TV show tells a compelling story of power, family, and decisions.

  • Watch the Mayans MC show if you like Latino stories that are respected and well taken care of.

  • The Mayans MC centers these voices rather than using them as side notes.

  • The Mayans MC TV series is not flawless. Some episodes are slow. Some choices feel rushed. Nevertheless, the general narrative is worth watching.

  • The Mayans MC ends well. You get a real conclusion. The last season is a closure of the main characters. You don’t feel confused as the show ends.

9. Conclusion

The Mayans MC is a good series in the genre of motorcycle club drama. For most viewers and SOA fans, it may not be as good as the Sons of Anarchy TV show, but it narrates its own story. It is an overall good motorcycle TV series and a crime drama show.


In case you have time, and you enjoy dark crime dramas, you must watch the Mayans M.C. show. The Mayans MC TV series will hook you in. Spend at least three or four episodes, and you will get invested in the show. You will get to that point where you can decide whether this show is for you or not.


Despite being a Sons of Anarchy spin-off, the Mayans M.C. has a whole new plot to offer. It is a true-life tale with true art. This makes the Mayans TV series worth watching and is given a big ‘yes’ by the majority of the fans.

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