A new dynasty is beginning, as the Yellowstone prequel, 1883, continues to dive into the past with the casting of actor Sam Elliott (A Star is Born), and country couple Faith Hill (Dixieland) and Tim McGraw (Friday Night Lights). Created by Taylor Sheridan (Hell or High Water), the Paramount drama series explores the origin story of the Dutton family and their Montana ranch, via Entertainment Weekly.
Sheridan, who created Yellowstone in addition to co-executive producing and writing on the series, will double down and executive produce and write for 1883 as well. Yellowstone has become one of cable’s most watched series, starring Kevin Costner (Let Him Go) as John Dutton, the patriarch of the Dutton family and owner of the coveted Yellowstone Ranch in Montana. He, alongside his children, fight to keep their ranch as various outsiders attempt to steal it away. The series stars Luke Grimes (Fifty Shades of Grey) as Kayce Dutton, Kelly Reilly (Pride & Prejudice) as Beth Dutton, Wes Bentley (American Horror Story) as Jamie Dutton, and Cole Hauser (Dazed and Confused) as Rip.
1883 will tell an epic, gritty western tale of the Dutton family as they travel across a vast, untouched America in the hopes of dragging themselves out of poverty, eventually reaching their dream in Montana. Elliot has been cast as Shea Brennan, who, according to Entertainment Weekly, is a, “tough as nails, handsome cowboy with immense sadness in his past. He has the herculean task of guiding a group from Texas to Montana, and he does not suffer fools.”
Releasing a statement on his casting, Elliot remarked, via Entertainment Weekly: “It all starts with the writing, and Taylor Sheridan is a brilliant writer. I think the western genre speaks clearly to both of us. The classic struggles of man against man, man against nature, and man against himself. It’s all there, in 1883, and I’m honored to be a part of it.”
Known for his deep, southern, bass voice, accompanied by distinct white hair and mustache, Elliott’s lauded film and television career has spanned decades. He’s known for his roles in The Big Lebowski, The Hero, and most recently received a Best Supporting Actor Oscar nomination for his work in the 2018 film, A Star is Born.
Fiction and reality have become blurred as real life couple Hill and McGraw have been cast as James and Margaret Dutton, the heads of the Dutton family. McGraw released a statement, picked up by Entertainment Weekly: “This is truly a dream job. Taylor has found a way of storytelling that brilliantly creates these epic dramas and family sagas with so much depth and creativity. The Duttons are tremendous characters and it’s so thrilling to be able to bring them to life. As a kid growing up riding horses, you think about dream jobs like this and I am just so excited to work with this amazing cast and crew.” Hold onto your cowboy boots, as more casting announcements are expected to follow.