Tim McGraw And Faith Hill Drew On A Shared Experience To Prep For ‘1883,’ The Prequel To ‘Yellowstone’

Country music icons, actors, and married couple Faith Hill and Tim McGraw are starring in the Paramount+ series “1883.” The old-west prequel will be the first of several planned spin-offs of the hit show “Yellowstone.” The two play a couple attempting to start a new live on the wild frontier of Montana. 

McGraw spoke of his life as a father of three and how this helped inform his character.

“When you think about this guy (who) takes off, and he’s going to go by himself in a wagon across uncharted territory with his wife, his daughter, a 5-year-old son and two other women, who thinks that they can do that?”

Hill too had to channel her maternal instincts and bring something personal to the table. Obviously, the real-life married couple’s chemistry is undeniable. 

In terms of authenticity, the couple decided to keep their married and on-set lives completely separate. Hill and McGraw never rehearsed or even spoke about their roles outside of the set. 

What’s The Premise Of “1883”?

Created as an “origin” story for the hit show “Yellowstone,” “1883” will detail the origins of the famed Yellowstone Ranch with McGraw and Hill playing the great-grandparents of Kevin Costner’s John Dutton. The show will also star legend and the most cowboy-looking actor ever Sam Elliott as a no-nonsense sheriff.

Billy Bob Thorton will also play a law enforcement official with Tom Hanks guest-starring at famed General George Meade.

Related: Is “Yellowstone” Star Kevin Costner The Modern Day John Wayne?

“1883” Reviews

The show is already receiving rave reviews with many comparing it to the classic western miniseries “Lonesome Dove.”

Showrunner Taylor Sheridan is credited by many (including me) for revitalizing the western genre for modern times. Long-thought dormant, the western genre is back with a vengeance thanks to Sheridan’s crisp writing and nuanced storytelling.

If you haven’t already, I would highly recommend you check out his movies Hell or High Water and Wind River.

High Water is a classic western crime movie redone for modern times and themes, while Wind River echos a lot of the problems characters face in Yellowstone, particularly Native Americans.

One thing I already like about “1883” is that it seems to avoid a lot of soap opera writing of “Yellowstone.” It is a sign of Sheridan’s talent that he can write two shows so differently, with “1883” grounded in a lot more realism than its high-dollar predecessor. 

Have you had a chance to watch Yellowstone or 1883? Let us know your thoughts on the shows in the comments below.