Based on the bestseller by James Michener, the miniseries centers on the conquest of the Wild West and tells the story of the fictional Colorado town of Centennial. Dozens of colorful figures, portrayed by actors such as Robert Conrad and Richard Chamberlain, pass by, from Native Americans and hunters to pioneers, farmers and cowboys. Centennial also does not shy away from serious issues. Things like racism, the exploitation of Native Americans (a term far from established) and the disrespectful treatment of the land for profit are all incorporated into the story.