'1883' Star Reveals He's Not a Fan of the Original Show: "I Don't Watch Yellowstone"

With his signature velvety baritone and mustache, Sam Elliott has become a living icon of the Western genre. He seems to have descended from the hills to play rugged cowboys and wise elders.

Therefore, his return to his roots in the prequel series 1883 was met with applause and earned him a Screen Actors Guild Award.

Sam Elliott Revealed He's 'Not a Yellowstone Fan'

However, after becoming part of the expanded universe of the hugely popular Yellowstone, Elliott surprised viewers with a candid comment about his parent show.

Despite starring in a direct prequel to the Dutton family saga, Elliott doesn't hold Yellowstone in high regard. In an interview with Taste of Country, the actor said:

“I'm not a Yellowstone fan. I don't watch Yellowstone. I love Costner, there's a lot of good people on the cast, a few of them I've worked with before, nothing against any of them, but it's just too much like f*cking Dallas or something for me.”

This observation perfectly captures the essence of the debate over the nature of Yellowstone's success. Critics often accuse Taylor Sheridan's show of being overly melodramatic, clichéd, and reliant on the formulas of old primetime soap operas.

Thus, Elliott, whose image is inextricably linked to the classic, authentic Western, distances himself from Yellowstone's more glamorous, modern take on the genre.

Sam Elliott Has Already Thrown Shade at Another Acclaimed Western Work

This is not the first time the actor has criticized modern Westerns. He previously found himself at the center of a controversy over his comments about Jane Campion's Oscar-winning movie, The Power of the Dog.

Elliott claimed that the New Zealand director was unqualified to discuss the American West and disapproved of the film's homosexual subtext. He later apologized for his comments.

The Power of the Dog is a profound psychological exploration of toxic masculinity and the nature of violence that critics and audiences alike hailed as a masterpiece.

What Is '1883' About?

In 1883, in which Elliott plays a key role, the history of Western exploration is examined in a stark and uncompromising manner.

Set 130 years before the events of Yellowstone, it chronicles the journey of John Dutton's great-grandfather, James, his family, and a group of immigrants as they travel through dangerous territories in search of a better life.

Elliott plays Shea Brennan, a Civil War veteran who is hired as a caravan guide. It is a story of hardship and death, and the price these pioneers paid so their descendants could build an empire.

What Did Critics & Viewers Think of '1883'?

• 1883 has 89% from critics and 78% from viewers on Rotten Tomatoes.

• On IMDb, the series has a score of 8.7/10.

Where to Watch '1883'?

1883 is available to stream on Paramount +.